GSX1400Dave
New Member
HI,
I am Dave from Southampton UK.
Into classic bikes and engine rebuilds.
A long first post but I think it is important.
Recently upgraded my car to a 2010 C220 CDI 6 speed manual, just the job for the motorway miles that I do.
Getting about 600 miles from a full tank (55 litres to it top off) so very happy.
Happy so far but I do have some other problems to sort out with the car, but not this one.
Today I wanted the get the headlights out to replace them.
I know that I must release the front inner arches so I turn the steering wheel to full lock at the right and turn the engine off.
All OK.
NO.
I later try to start the car and the key lights up the dash as it should but no further action like starting the engine.
Check all fuses and disconnect the battery for 10 mins still the same.
I think about it for a bit and realize that the steering wheel is solid (not moving at all) it should move a little as the steering lock should allow.
Check the position of the car and realize that it is not on even ground.
I then use the jack and lift the front right wheel off of the ground and find that the wheel moves almost 2 inches once lifted.
Steering wheel now has the slack due to the steering lock.
Try the ignition and find all is now OK.
Conclusion:
Due to the position of the front right wheel at full lock and on uneven ground the steering system was under stress so that the steering lock would not disengage so not allowing engine start due to the steering lock being engaged.
I searched Google and find lot's of people with a similar problem who have paid lots of cash to resolve a similar problem at at MB main dealer.
I am not saying this was the same problem, but it could have been in some cases so this post may save someone from a bad day.
Regards
Dave
I am Dave from Southampton UK.
Into classic bikes and engine rebuilds.
A long first post but I think it is important.
Recently upgraded my car to a 2010 C220 CDI 6 speed manual, just the job for the motorway miles that I do.
Getting about 600 miles from a full tank (55 litres to it top off) so very happy.
Happy so far but I do have some other problems to sort out with the car, but not this one.
Today I wanted the get the headlights out to replace them.
I know that I must release the front inner arches so I turn the steering wheel to full lock at the right and turn the engine off.
All OK.
NO.
I later try to start the car and the key lights up the dash as it should but no further action like starting the engine.
Check all fuses and disconnect the battery for 10 mins still the same.
I think about it for a bit and realize that the steering wheel is solid (not moving at all) it should move a little as the steering lock should allow.
Check the position of the car and realize that it is not on even ground.
I then use the jack and lift the front right wheel off of the ground and find that the wheel moves almost 2 inches once lifted.
Steering wheel now has the slack due to the steering lock.
Try the ignition and find all is now OK.
Conclusion:
Due to the position of the front right wheel at full lock and on uneven ground the steering system was under stress so that the steering lock would not disengage so not allowing engine start due to the steering lock being engaged.
I searched Google and find lot's of people with a similar problem who have paid lots of cash to resolve a similar problem at at MB main dealer.
I am not saying this was the same problem, but it could have been in some cases so this post may save someone from a bad day.
Regards
Dave
