Immobiliser light stays solid while driving.

[Sphinx]

Morning guys, I'm new to all of this and a complete novice with cars so you'll have to excuse me.

Basically through a turn of events, I've now come to own a 2002 Mercedes C200K Kompressor, Sports coupe. It's the 2.0 litre, manual.

Part of owning this car (and so cheaply) is due to a few issues with it, which I am to fix at a (hopefully) reasonable enough cost to justify buying it in the first place.

I have two main questions for now, and possibly more depending on how its usage goes, that I'm hoping one of you smarties here can help me with.

1) When starting and driving the car, my immobiliser light stays on. The car starts without an issue, it recognises the key etc. But the light itself just stays on, and I've no idea why this is. I always thought that this usually happened if the car wouldn't start.. Rookie assumption, clearly. I'd appreciate any help with that, as I'd prefer to know what the causes and remedies could be before entrusting a mechanic to flood me with jargon and "it could be this, that, this, or even that" repair costs.

2) When turning my electrics on (key position number 2), something makes a low whirring noise from the front-left of the dash, and it persists for a little while. I initially thought it was my heating system, so that was turned off. I then suspected my 6 CD changer in the glovebox, but removed the CD's and holder itself, and it still persisted. It's quite hard to explain the noise and its duration, so I'm sorry if this one was vague. It just sounds like something electronic is setting up, almost like the sound you'd hear if you held down the button on an electronic wingmirror.

Other than these two faults, the main one is already in the process of being fixed, which is a dodgy handbrake (or footbrake, in this model).

I appreciate in advance, any help, and will of course provide more information if I can on the issue. Thanks guys.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Which light is staying on? You say 'immobiliser', but as far as I know there isn't an immobiliser light.



Link to USA online user manual, which should be similar to the UK version, just in case you don't have a copy with the car. http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalAssets/pdfmb/ownersmanual/2002_c240_c320_c32.pdf

The sound behind the dash could be the heater flaps resetting.

HTH

 

[Sphinx]

Thanks for the quick response.

I was told by the guy I got the car from that there was an immobiliser light on, but I've just been to check the car over and the one he was referring to is the OBD light I believe. Number 34 in this link:

http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/how-to-understand-the-dashboard-lights-1370_9.jpg

Thanks again.

Edit:
Also as for the heater flaps resetting, that sounds quite like what it could be, because every so often it gives off a little click whilst whirring as though a flap is opening or closing. Does this happen on every start up on purpose, or is that something that should go away?

 

[GordonTarling]

The number 34 in your link is a graphic of an engine, so is indicating an engine fault. The only way to find out what the fault is for sure is to check with an MB STAR computer - all the MB specialists have one. Generic code readers aren't so good.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

That's the Engine Management Light. Needs to be plugged in and the fault diagnosing.
Probably the best option would be to find an independent Mercedes garage nearby who has a Mercedes 'Star' diagnostic machine. Could be an easy fix or something complex.

Not your model Merc, but same symbol in this video.

[YOUTUBE]watch?v=g52NILWTGGw[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Sphinx]

Yes that's the light, thank you both for the responses, I've also been searching bits and pieces when I've had a minute in work, and as you've both said it could be one of a tonne of things.

As we all do, I'm strongly hoping it's nothing too major. Am I right in saying that this could be displayed even just because the vehicle is suggesting a servicing based on its mileage? Or is that a bit too hopeful.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

The heater flaps on these cars have several what are called 'stepper motors' which move the various flaps. Unfortunately the plastic parts are prone to failure, but this is usually signalled by clicking from behind the dash, which can be anything from a few seconds to several minutes and depending on which if any fail it can be a complete dash removal to access them.

If you don't have any clicking, you could try a flap reset by following these instructions.

To reset heater flaps and actuators

Switch on ignition.

Press recirculated air and defrost buttons on control panel together for longer than 5 seconds.

The LED's in the defrost and recirculated air buttons flash alternately.

Wait until the LED's stop flashing (approx 30 sec) system set to defrost LED on.

Switch off ignition.

After 40 sec re start engine.

 

[Sphinx]

Very informative, thanks Mike.

As I mentioned just there, I unfortunately do have clicking present of some form, it clicks just once every ten seconds or so. I'll give this a whirl anyway when I get a minute away from this prison office and see if this helps at all.

If not, as per, I'll be back. I should really have got more information on the issues but I only had a cheeky few minutes to look it over before coming into work. I may be able to get a better grasp on the problem later this evening as I'll have driven it a fair distance by then.