A160 semi auto - turns over - but won't start

[MonEleG]

Hi all

My Missus went out this morning and started the car while she scraped the icy windows. Part way through this - it stalled. Now it turns over - (plenty of battery life) - but won't start.
The petrol light is on - so I am wondering if it is related to that - but I have added some fuel and still the same.
Not sure if this is relevant - but it is parked facing down a downwards driveway.

Have checked Lofty's site and tried swapping relays - can't see anything else that it may be?

Side point - I note that when the key is turned to the starter position, you do not need to hold it there - you have to phyusically turn it backwards to stop the starter turning - is this normal??

Please help - she needs the car for work - and as she is pregnant - I need this to be reliable!!

Thanks all

 

[Bellow]

How much more fuel did you add?

 

[MonEleG]

HI there

Most of a typical petrol can amount - so I would say at least a gallon - if not more . .

 

[Bellow]

Did that extinguish the low fuel light? I would expect that to be enough, but the slope - if it's pointing nose down - could throw it. Another 5 litres? Just to be sure?

One touch starting by the sound of it. Rare to have to turn the key back to stop starter motor as that normally taken care of when it fires up.

 

[MonEleG]

No - low fuel light still on - so will get some more fuel and try that.

I can't imagine this is any more serious though - seeing as it was running fine and then just stopped!

Any other possibilities?

 

[Don Black]

Turn over-but won't start

having same problem with my 97reg SLK irregular starting, starter motor turning when you let go of key, cutting out when it has just started.
The garage were it is have had auto Electricians cheeking it over and can't find anything wrong with it,they have tried to get it to falut out, but it has been starting ok they think the problem is in the starter motor taking to much power from battery and making engine cut out .

Having new starter motor fitted will let you know if it solves the problem .

 

[Tiff]

Do ALL of the lights on the dash come on when the ignition is on? Could be the ignition switch on the rear of the key barrel? It should be sprung on the "start" position, if the spring breaks or comes adrift, it can jam up the internals.

 

[Don Black]

I forgot to mention that before i took my SLK to the garage where it is at the moment ,it had a new steering lock,tumbler, and ignition switch fitted by MB specialist which did not solve the problem and was expense

 

[hellgrace5]

Hi.

Please make sure your car is stationary e.g ground level not down slope.

Then try starting it again. When you turn the key to position 2 (not start) can you hear the fuel pump is working? *You can hear a whistle like noise under your car*

Let us know the update

 

[MonEleG]

Thanks for all the comments everyone. Bit snowy here now - so can't do much trialing - will try to start on the flat once it thaws.
Thanks again -will update asap . . .

 

[Pac]

I had a similar problem with my w203 220 cdi. It would turn over and continue turning over for 5 seconds even though the key was returned to the ignition off position. When it started, it stalled. Problem traced to faulty camshaft position sensor. Starts first turn of the key ever since this was replaced but I don't know whether the petrol engine has the same set up.

 

[Smiley]

It has probably got unburnt fuel in the cat - when it stalled it was still on its cold running cycle.
Hold the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, hold it there and crank the engine. It should start eventually. Either that or remove the air filter cover to get some more air in the system.

 

[MonEleG]

Hi all

Thanks again for all the helpful thoughts and tips.

I added some further fuel - connected a spare battery to support the struggling one in the car, depressed the accelerator and she started up fine. Hasn't missed a beat since.

Missus no longer allowed to "leave the car warming" on cold and frosty mornings if the low fuel light is on!

Thanks for all your help.

 

[lmpmbernardo]

Had the same problem has MonEleG. Car parked in a downward slope, low in gas, would turn over but not start. All lights would turn on so it looked like the battery was good. Added 3 liters of fuel and nothing... Then read his post and decided to add more fuel (5 liters more). Then it started!