C209 CLK won't start when warm

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bob1

New Member
Joined
May 19, 2020
Messages
4
Location
London
Car
CLK 220 CDI 2009
Hi all,

I have CLK 220 CDI 2009 that doesn't want to start when it's warm outside, about 15 C degrees or when I drove it enough for the engine to warm up to regular temperature.
All dashboard lights appear as normal, except for the engine management light which doesn't appear at all and the displays says "Run flat indicator inoperative".
If the engine cools down and it's less than 14-15 C degrees outside, the car starts normally.

I scanned the error codes with an iCarsoft MB v2.0 with the engine on, just after I started it and again when it doesn't start (with the key on).
I used the auto scan feature.

On the second scan the scanner is not seeing the ECM module anymore.

I did the following:
- start the car
- auto scan, scanner shows 17 modules
- record all error codes, except for the ECM, TCM and ESM. I delete the errors for these before recording them, like an idiot.
- delete all error codes
- driver the car for 20 min to warm engine
- stop car
- try to start car, it does want to start with symptoms describe above
- auto scan with key on, scanner shows 16 modules (ECM missing)
- record all error codes

Do you think there is anything that an amateur like me can try to determine the cause of this or fix it ?

And does anyone know a Mercedes specialist around north east London that works in this period ?

Thanks
 
Sounds like the crank position sensor as it is temperature related. A failing CPS will stop the car starting due to the heat.

It’s a sensor that can be changed within an hour.
 
In the same vein, it could also be one of the two cam position sensors.
 
Symptoms point to CPS for sure, but does not explain why scanner lost ECM module
 
my thought are pin tension on the plug for the ecm, as when its heating up something is moving within the plug and hence why you are not seeing the module, but tbh it is entirely possible anything listed before can also be a likely culprit
 
Sorry, I got the dashboard light name wrong, it's not the engine management light, but the coil shaped (attached picture) one that is not turning on when i turn the key and the car won't start. deisel-preheat-light.png
 
And these are all the error codes that I get on the second scan (when the car won't start):

ECM: not showing at all.


ESP:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
C1038 1/2
State: Current
Engine control module not identified or incorrect control module
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
C1022 2/2
State: Current
CAN communication with the engine system is faulty


IC:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
B1102 1/1
State: Current
Fault in CAN communication with control module ME-SFI


SAM_F:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
B1036 1/1
State: Current
The input signal'circuit 61'is not o, k


SAM_R:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
B1078 1/1
State: Current
Fault in communication with component H3/1(Alarm signal siren with additional battery) or there is a cable fault


TCM:
- - - - - - - - - -
P2311 1/2
State: Current
One or more messages from the engine control module are not available on the CAN bus, (CAN timeout fault)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
P2312 2/2
State: Current
One or more messages from the engine control module are not available on the CAN bus, (CAN timeout fault)
 
Yea check your pin tension, i would adjust all the pins a bit then replug it back in
 
Is the main battery in good nick?
 
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that the engine doesn't crank when it doesn't start and the engine fan start running at full power.

To clarify, when I have the issue this happens:
- I turn the key to position 2
- all lights show except for the coiled shaped one
- the "Run flat indicator inoperative" message appears
- the engine fan starts running at full power
- when I try to turn the key further, nothing happens, engine deosn't crank

Sounds like the crank position sensor as it is temperature related. A failing CPS will stop the car starting due to the heat.

It’s a sensor that can be changed within an hour.
In the same vein, it could also be one of the two cam position sensors.
The car runs for hours when it starts though, I read on another forum that a failing CPS also causes the car to stop while running.
And would the engine still crank if the CPS was the issue ?

Yea check your pin tension, i would adjust all the pins a bit then replug it back in
Will try this, do I have to disconnect the battery first or is there any special procedure for this ?

Is the main battery in good nick?

Battery was replaced in January and it's ok.
This model doesn't have a second battery.
 
The car runs for hours when it starts though, I read on another forum that a failing CPS also causes the car to stop while running.
And would the engine still crank if the CPS was the issue ?

I definitely know of cases where a faulty CPS caused the car to intermittently not start, but wasn't an issue once the engine was running.

Another possible cause for intermittent non-starting (no cranking), is a faulty inhibitor switch - that's the switch in the gear selector module that tells the ECU that the car is not in Park, if it fails the ECU think that the car isn't in P and won't let the engine crank.
 
With a failing CPS the engine can randomly turn off at times. It's a lottery when you toy around with a failing CPS. You can only start the car up once the CPS has cooled down.

The engine will still crank with a failing CPS.
 
its best practice to disconnect the battery first like your supposed to before disconnecting anything in the electrical system
 
The coil shaped indicator light would be an indicator for the engine glow plug circuit. Does it ever illuminate-say when the engine is cold/ starting?
 

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