C220 CDI engine not cranking.

[Smokin..o0O]

Hi all.
Recently had a few problems with the wifes car.
2001 C220 CDI.
In the last 2 weeks had trouble starting the car in the cold mornings so had a new battery fitted and the fuel line between the lift pump and fuel filter, as there was air constantly visible.

The car has been great since these jobs were done. Starts first time no matter how cold it is, and no more air in fuel line.
This morning however, the car wouldn't start. The ignition "energises" when the key is inserted, the steering lock disengages, but turn the key to the "start" position and nothing happens.
My fist guess was the inhibitor switch but I haven't checked that out yet as I can't find out where it's located, but I think there may be something else at fault.
I checked the connector at the solenoid with the key at the start position, and there is no voltage reading.
I took 12 volts to the solenoid connection with the ingintion on and the card started.
It was raining pretty hard and there were leaves on the windscreen so I switched the wipers on to clear the screen but the wipers didn't work
Lights indicators, heater, electric windows and everything else weems to work, just no wipers or starter motor.
I have made arrangements for someone to look at the car, but as I can't get the car to him, it's going to take a few days before he can move it, and the car really is needed.
If anyone here can think of anything that might be related to this issue, and that a DIYer can check out, I would be forever grateful.

 

[Dieselman]

At a guess I'd say front SAM or CAN problem. The Ign lock doesn't directly interface with the solenoid, it goes through the ECU via CAN then to the front SAM for the starter relay.
You will find the wiper relay in the front SAM also, so worth a look there first.

 

[Smokin..o0O]

At a guess I'd say front SAM or CAN problem. The Ign lock doesn't directly interface with the solenoid, it goes through the ECU via CAN then to the front SAM for the starter relay.
You will find the wiper relay in the front SAM also, so worth a look there first.

Dieselman.
A big thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.
The guy I spoke to on the phone, to arrange the car to be looked at, seemed to be doing his best to convince me that the starter problem and the wiper problem were not related, but was probably acoincidence.
Now I just need to search info on the front "SAM" to see what is is
Thanks again.

 

[Dieselman]

Now I just need to search info on the front "SAM" to see what is is

Signal Aquisition Module, otherwise known as the fuse and relay box.

 

[Smokin..o0O]

Just a little update incase someone suffers the same problems in the future.
Fuse number 52 in the engine compartment was blown.
Car now starts and the wife is happy again.

Now I got a funny clicking nosie coming from behind the dash and air is only being fed out the screen vents but at least the car is useable
Time to go do some more searching for Mercedes info.

 

[Dieselman]

Good to hear the fix.

The ventilation problem is the flap actuation arm from the stepper motor is broken. Awkward job.

 

[Smokin..o0O]

Good to hear the fix.

The ventilation problem is the flap actuation arm from the stepper motor is broken. Awkward job.

I was thinking there wouldn't be much room, if any, to work around the ventilation unit with the dashboard in place.
I really have not found much yet in my searching, but as soon as I can, I'll strip out the glove box area and the central part of the dash and see what is within reach.

 

[Smokin..o0O]

I'm back again
Car is starting fine now so no major headaches.
The ventilation system is still dodgy.
Today I had OBD stuff delivered from Ebay.
It turns out it's rip off Carsoft stuff, and checking ebay today after the parcel arrived, the guy who sold it to me is "No longer a registered user".

Anyway, I hooked it up and let it do it's stuff. These diagnostic things, or should that be Mercedes cars, should come with a health warning.
The resulting diagnostic report made ample use of the word "ERROR", and It made me feel quite unwell.
Breaking it down, a lot of the errors were trivial stuff and were cleared and remain clear, but quite a lot still worry me.
I cant find a way to copy the text from the report or I would show some here to give you an idea of what is really wrong, but having read stuff on this forum, there are a couple of things I did recognise in the report, that I will be looking into very soon.
Fuse and relay module K40/4 being the first I recognised.

A lot of the errors seem to be communication issues rather than faults or things not working, just as well there will be some quiet time over the next week or so to look into this stuff.
No doubt I will be back here rambling some more as I get more baffled by technology, but posting about it seems to help get my head round things, and input from others can give me direction when I have overdosed on data that I can't understand.
Before I forget, Merry Xmas to all members and families.

 

[Dieselman]

All Mercedes cars have loads of stored errors, especially CAN communication ones. Just clear them all and drive it to see what pops back up as active ones.

 

[Smokin..o0O]

All Mercedes cars have loads of stored errors, especially CAN communication ones. Just clear them all and drive it to see what pops back up as active ones.

I Have reset all codes and took the car for a spin.
below are the codes that are now present.

- Complete diagnosis -
CDI diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
ESP diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
AIRBAG diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
BAS diagnosis - Status: Module is not build in, or does not respond
Inst. Cluster diagnosis - Status: OK
EGS diagnosis - Status: OK
AIRCO diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
PSE diagnosis - Status: Module is not build in, or does not respond
PTS diagnosis - Status: Module is not build in, or does not respond
SAM diagnosis - Status: Module is not build in, or does not respond
SAM Front/left diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
SAM REAR diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
HRA diagnosis - Status: OK
OCP diagnosis - Status: OK
UCP diagnosis - Status: OK
D2B diagnosis - Status: OK
EIS diagnosis - Status: OK
DCM-FL Diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
DCM-FR Diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
DCM-RL Diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
DCM-RR Diagnosis - Status: ERROR -> Read the error memory
- Complete diagnosis completed

The CDI code is only a failed glow plug.
But the details of the other codes do have me worried.
I really need to give my old eyes a rest. Been reading so much I am finding it hard to focus

 

[Dieselman]

Is the software correctly setup and configured.? It looks like it might not be looking for the right version/options.