C180 won't start.

[timmy]

Went to start it to drive home this evening, but would not start.
Full battery( wipers, lights, fan, etc. all work) .
No clicking from starter motor, so prob not that.
Car appears to have had an after sales Cobra full closure alarm fitted. This is activated via a key fob with a green and a yellow button on it. Green is for opening doors, and for setting alarm/closing windows when leaving car. Yellow appears to be a panic button .
There is also a little red light on centre console that flashes to tell you the car can start. This is steady on, when alarm is set. Also stays on when in vehicle but the engine is off( this happens after about 20 secs if engine not turned over).

Problem-: Key fob opens door and deactivates alarm. Red light flashes to indicate the car will start. Key in ignition, turn key.......only dash light to come on is the SRS red light(whatever that is) and no other dash lights. Car fails to turn over. Answers on a post card.....and beer to tokens to winner presented at Woodvale GTG in August.

 

[Vips]

Have you tried removing the white Flag from the window? It might start once flag removed. MB's can be quite sensitive about this

 

[BTB 500]

Would an alarm/immobiliser problem stop it turning over at all?

Do you know for sure that the battery is good? Below a certain level it won't attempt to crank the engine over, but lights etc. will still work normally.

 

[timmy]

Do you know what, despite the fact that am pi**ed wet through, and tired having had to walk home, I still find that comment , VIPS, slightly amusing. Only slightly mind. Doesn't have a flag on it anyway, not yet!!!!

 

[timmy]

Am assuming its a fault with the alarm, and should have turned it off with the small key that is provided,but am home now so will try it tomorrow. It's a new battery and nothing could have drained it really. Thought somebody may have a trick to reset it by pressing the horn 3 times opening all the windows and pressing the brake pedal.

 

[Flash]

Would an alarm/immobiliser problem stop it turning over at all?

Alarm/imoboliser can stop the engine from turning/cranking.

My Sprinter has a after market AutoWatch Thatcham CAT 1 Approved Alarm (as was a vehicle from MB stock) and if the ignition is not turned within 30 seconds from lock/unlock from the alarm remote/thob then the engine will not start/turn/crank unless reset again from the remote/thob or manual over ride function (if batteries die in thob/remote). So if alarm/immoboliser is faulty then vehicle will not start.

Faulty/low battery could be a possibility perhaps.

 

[Vips]

Atleast it cheered you up, ok, atleast a bit than

Well this will definately cheer you up alot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaFm47lsL2g&feature=Favorites&page=1&t=t&f=b

Sorry I can't help you with your troubles though.

 

[imadoofus]

Your alarm should have a valet mode, from where you can program various settings. You need to know your PIN for that, and I'm guessing you don't.

The only other thing I can add is that my aftermarket alarm (Avital Maxx 2) re-sets the immobiliser if the engine isn't started within 30 seconds of disarming with the fob. To fix this, either lock and unlock again (which in your case doesn't sound like the answer), or put the key in the ignition, turn on all the way (at this point all my dash lights come on, so this probably isn't the answer either), then press the lock/unlock button on the fob; turn ignition off, then start car as usual. I mention all this becasue the 30-second delay thing can be varied from within valet mode, so maybe you've got something similar, which has gone wrong.

PJ

 

[timmy]

That did cheer me up, thanks!

 

[timmy]

Those replies about the alarm fob seem to be the answer. Will try them tomorrow. Need it fixed for weekend as going to Edinburgh. Keep suggestions coming though, but many thanks to those who have replied thus far.

 

[Alfie]

Years ago my C180 did exactly the same thing. I called MB who came out and said 'Oh yes we've seen this before its the bulb in your rear view mirror'

Turns out that one of the two bulbs which are for the immobiliser underneath the rear view mirror had blown. I presume the car then thought someone was trying to disable the system and shut up shop. Bulb replaced and hey presto car turned over and started.

 

[DieselE]

Have you tried removing the white Flag from the window? It might start once flag removed. MB's can be quite sensitive about this

On the other hand, if another post is correct then as soon as the flag is removed the engine will disappear up the exhaust pipe (or does that only apply if the car's owner is a forum guest? )

 

[timmy]

Thanks Alfie, will check them out too.

 

[timmy]

I've moved on from flags now, thank you! MBs breaking down isn't a class thing either. Well it's a C class thing I suppose.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Tut Tut timmy, you realy do need a W124 Joking aside though I would suspect it has something to do with the imoboliser system. I know on the 124's inside the glove box is a keyway on the left hand wall. If you have a key and this system turn it off, wait a while then turn it back on.

 

[timmy]

Off to give it a try, later boys....and girls, sorry. x

 

[timmy]

Well I have managed to get it working again. I could blag you all with my vast knowledge of motor electronics, and that I spotted a broken resistor behind the ampage regulator on the immobiliser input system. However, I simply turned the key and it worked!!! Which is kinda worrying, as I don't know what the fault was and how to rectify it if it goes wrong again. But big thanks to all those that assisted, this is a really cool site, very friendly. Now, who would put an England flag on their MB? ....................................I'll get my coat!

 

[Ian B Walker]

Now, who would put an England flag on their MB? ....................................I'll get my coat!

And so you should

 

[Dieselman]

Well I have managed to get it working again. I could blag you all with my vast knowledge of motor electronics, and that I spotted a broken resistor behind the ampage regulator on the immobiliser input system. However, I simply turned the key and it worked!!! Which is kinda worrying, as I don't know what the fault was and how to rectify it if it goes wrong again. But big thanks to all those that assisted, this is a really cool site, very friendly. Now, who would put an England flag on their MB? ....................................I'll get my coat!

It could be the ignition switch on the way out. You said there were no dash lights, I wouldn't expect an immobiliser to do that, just stop the starter and fuel injection.

 

[DieselE]

It could be the ignition switch on the way out. You said there were no dash lights, I wouldn't expect an immobiliser to do that, just stop the starter and fuel injection.

As it's an aftermarket immobiliser, it depends on how it was wired in. In years gone by I had a Gemini system and a Piranha in different Fords and in both cases, all dash lights were dead when the immobiliser was active.