Help! W124 won't start

[Spin_bowler]

As the title says, my 1993 (94MY) E320 Coupe won't budge. It has been sat idle since last Saturday morning

It doesn't appear to be anything battery related as the seatbelt presenters and aerial are all working at full speed. When I turn the key to the full start position I can detect a faint hum and nothing else, it's as if the starter motor won't, erm, start.

It'll be working from home today then and tomorrow trying to get this fixed.
Anyone got any hints or tips?

I now regret two things...
1) Singing its praises on here a couple of weeks ago
2) Cancelling my AA home start

Mods - I posted in electronics as that seems most likely. Please move if you think it should be elsewhere.

 

[kth286]

perhaps tap the starter with a lump of wood to see if that jolts it.

turn fuses in their holders as when it is very wet and lots of condensation
'our fuses' can fail to make proper contact in their holders.

you need to replace fuses periodically.

it may be ignition key, but on that model less likely.

 

[neilrr]

Broken main engine earth cable?

 

[Spin_bowler]

Broken main engine earth cable?

Everything I know about car electronics could be written on the back of a stamp. Where would I find this beast?

 

[neilrr]

Everything I know about car electronics could be written on the back of a stamp. Where would I find this beast?

http://w124-zone.com/downloads/MB CD/W124/w124CD1/Program/ETM/ground_locations.pdf

 

[Spin_bowler]

great link, I'll register there, thanks.

 

[coupe deville]

Starter inhibit switch

turn ignition on, move shifter from park to 3 a few times.
try starting it in park, if nowt doing, try in neutral

 

[Spin_bowler]

Starter inhibit switch

turn ignition on, move shifter from park to 3 a few times.
try starting it in park, if nowt doing, try in neutral

I tried that one this morning, it all appeared to be working to design. The Shifter will only move when the key is in the 'on' position and key won't remove in drive etc...

 

[Mercedes cozy]

Does the car have an immobiliser

 

[coupe deville]

As the title says, my 1993 (94MY) E320 Coupe won't budge. It has been sat idle since last Saturday morning

It doesn't appear to be anything battery related as the seatbelt presenters and aerial are all working at full speed. When I turn the key to the full start position I can detect a faint hum and nothing else, it's as if the starter motor won't, erm, start.




Can you put the battery on charge, it could be capable of running the presenters, aerial and fuel pump, but turning over that big straight 6 is a different ball game

 

[Spin_bowler]

Does the car have an immobiliser

Yes but it wasn't armed as I don't use the alarm and immobiliser due to too many false alarms. That was going to be my next check in case it had suddenly armed itself.

 

[Spin_bowler]

Right, nothing to do with the immobiliser as far as I can tell.

I'm starting to suspect battery as the presenters aren't now shooting out with their usual elan and the warning lights have a general dimness about them. There's also no mention of the battery ever having been replaced in the extensive history I have on the car.

I'll have to have a look tomorrow when I've got more time and if it proves to be the problem I shall return to issue a :bannana: to Coupe deville if that proves to be the problem.

 

[coupe deville]

I fitted a bosche S5 77ah to mine a couple of years ago, some remarked the ah might be a little low but not a bit of it, car can stand weeks and fires instantly. Battery never needs charging, recommended

 

[Spin_bowler]

Yep. Just looking on ECP now and they seem to have some good deals on Bosch at the moment. Hopefully I'll confirm that it is only that tomorrow and get one bought.

It's probably the longest I've left her without taking her out for a run in the cold weather and, as I said, no evidence the battery's been replaced in the last ten years or more so Ive got everything crossed that that is all it is.

 

[coupe deville]

S5008 / 096 BOSCH SILVER PLUS Car Battery 12V 77Ah Bosch & Varta Car Batteries Free 24hr UK Del

That's the one I fitted

 

[Spin_bowler]

It was the battery. A jump start and a 40 mile motorway blast and everything is back to normal. I'm getting a new one on Monday just to be sure.

 

[nigel cross]

Good idea once they have started going, its only a matter of time, before it stitches you up , cold wet rainy night in the middle of nowhere