Help. Car not starting - starter motor or battery?

[MB-BTurbo]

A few weeks ago I turned the key and got nothing apart from a click. It then started fine on the second attempt and its been fine since.

Today I tried to start it and it did the same thing, except this time its took 5 minutes and around 10 attempts before it decided to start.

Does this sound like a starter motor issue or the battery as one garage has said it could be. To me I dont see how it could be the battery as it wouldnt have started after so many attempts, or have I missed something?




Forgot to say its a 2006 B200 Turbo - I think it might share some similar parts to the A class W169 if that helps.

 

[Mr B.]

sounds like it can be the starter,but it can also be the batt get it tested to find out if it is the batt then you will know

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Do all places test batteries for free or is there a charge usually? I know some places do it for free but I am always wary of places that do services for free as they look to make money elsewhere and before I know it my whole electrics will suddenly need changing before the car blows up.

 

[martyz]

Check battery terminals are clean and tight. Battery checks are normally free as there is a potential sale if faulty.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

I tried to get Mercedes todo a battery check. They would only do a diagnostic for £115 so I politely declined.

It did it again today so seems to be coming more frequent. The second attempt however was different, this time it struggled to turn over before eventually coughing into life where as before it either did nothing or started fine.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Have you any breakdown or home start cover? If you call them out they would test the battery?

A local garage would be able to test the battery probably for the price of a few beers.

The cars a 2006 so 6 yrs old... it could be the battery is on its way. I wasn't as happy with the one on my E class.. it just seemed to stuggle a bit more before Winter and decided to swap. EuroCarParts using the 25% discount was only £75 for a huge Bosh S5? battery.

I would get the battery checked and take it from their, is the starter motor on the B class easier to change than the old A class...?

Hope its a quick fix

 

[grober]

If you have an Auto gearbox it could be the starter inhibitor switch which is usually part of the gear selector assembly. It stops the car from being started in gear. Changing the starter might well prove expensive labour wise!

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Its a manual. The starter motor is a pig to get to. Its an engine out job. My local mechanic although not a Mercedes guy charges me £30/hour and usually less than if its a long job. Ive been told it takes 4 hours.

If it is the starter motor then it should be covered by my Warranty direct warranty as stated in the policy. I just dont know how you prove it as it doesnt happen very often. I also have breakdown cover but it has never let me stranded long enough for me to call them out.