Alex Argent
Active Member
Yesterday, whilst in Romford, Essex I decided to venture into the local stealership to get the parts required to change the ATF fluid this weekend (e.g. dipstick, gasket, filter, etc), only to be told "sorry mate, wrong place. You need the parts department on Eastern Avenue". As time was pushing on, I hastily said my thanks, and returned to the car park.
On opening the car, and turning the key (DAS type) the engine would simply not fire. Not even a cough or splutter! Engine turning fine, battery definitely okay, car opening and closing on remote key fob, but no start. So out of car, locked it again, left it about 2-3 minutes and tried again. Nothing. Went through this procedure twice more to no avail - engine turning good but did not even try to fire. Oh dear, well at least I had broken down in the MB car park, so it was not all doom and gloom. After summoning a member of the sales team to establish if their knowledge was greater than mine, or if I was missing something obvious here, one helpful fella came out stating "it's probably the batteries in the remote", and proceeded over to the car to 'try' to start it and........you've guessed, started first time!!
On the assumption this was yet another MB foible, I departed the car park with engine running as well as ever. However, on parking about 30 minutes later, locking the car, returning to car after 10 minutes (yep, guessed again.....parts not in stock), same problem again. Plenty of turning, plenty of battery power, zero firing. After locking and unlocking the car several times, the car started perfectly after about half a turn of the starter motor (as it has always done), drove home, and it's been okay ever since.
Something makes me assume this has something to do with either the immobiliser system or possibly the DAS. The remote fob batteries seem okay as they are locking and unlocking the car okay, albeit not from the distance it used to when they were last replaced (about 2 years ago).
The other thing I noticed which may or may not be normal (because previously it's always started 'on the button'), is when the starter motor was simply turning, the ignition key was not returning to its 'normal' position from its 'start' position for about 6 -7 seconds, i.e. the starter motor was still turning although I had let go of the key.
Anyone any ideas what may have been going on?
All comments gratefully received.
Alex
On opening the car, and turning the key (DAS type) the engine would simply not fire. Not even a cough or splutter! Engine turning fine, battery definitely okay, car opening and closing on remote key fob, but no start. So out of car, locked it again, left it about 2-3 minutes and tried again. Nothing. Went through this procedure twice more to no avail - engine turning good but did not even try to fire. Oh dear, well at least I had broken down in the MB car park, so it was not all doom and gloom. After summoning a member of the sales team to establish if their knowledge was greater than mine, or if I was missing something obvious here, one helpful fella came out stating "it's probably the batteries in the remote", and proceeded over to the car to 'try' to start it and........you've guessed, started first time!!
On the assumption this was yet another MB foible, I departed the car park with engine running as well as ever. However, on parking about 30 minutes later, locking the car, returning to car after 10 minutes (yep, guessed again.....parts not in stock), same problem again. Plenty of turning, plenty of battery power, zero firing. After locking and unlocking the car several times, the car started perfectly after about half a turn of the starter motor (as it has always done), drove home, and it's been okay ever since.
Something makes me assume this has something to do with either the immobiliser system or possibly the DAS. The remote fob batteries seem okay as they are locking and unlocking the car okay, albeit not from the distance it used to when they were last replaced (about 2 years ago).
The other thing I noticed which may or may not be normal (because previously it's always started 'on the button'), is when the starter motor was simply turning, the ignition key was not returning to its 'normal' position from its 'start' position for about 6 -7 seconds, i.e. the starter motor was still turning although I had let go of the key.
Anyone any ideas what may have been going on?
All comments gratefully received.
Alex