occasional non start

[kendalc220]

Hello everybody, I'm hoping someone can help solve the problem of my 1995 C220 sport.

It's in A1 condition, fully serviced with 104000 miles and owned by me for 7 years,

I've always started the car the same way.... turn key until lights on dash come on, wait until I've heard a soft whirring sound then fire the engine.

however over last 18 months or so there has been the odd occasion when there is no whirring sound and the car will not start. I usually give it a minute and have another go or maybe keep trying, and, after a while it does give the whirring sound then starts, although yesterday it took ages before it agreed to play.

I've replaced the fuel pump relay.... no joy.

The car did used to have an all singing and dancing TOAD immobiliser system which I had removed by a reputable auto electrician 5 years ago.

Up until it started doing this the car has been faultless in 7 years of ownership.

The car is going in for service soon and my mechanic recommended this site to get ideas of what it may be before I spend a fortune on a new fuel pump, however if that's what it is then I'll happily replace it, I need a reliable car.

Thanking you in advance for any help you can provide.....

 

[Logic700]

I had a 11,61 and a 14 plate all C220d and with all of them occasionally i would turn the key all the dash light would come on but the starter motor would not be turning. My MB dealer could never find a fault it was suspected to be a immobilizer fault. I have not had this with my new 2016MYC220d.

 

[joesoap]

Not familiar with that model, but I would be starting with ignition switch, may not be making all the contacts or passing current?

 

[louwdj]

The whirring sound you hear is probably the fuel pump. Possibly getting lazy, on its way out.

 

[m2mb]

You removed the immobilizer so the following does not apply presumably. Newer cars can refuse to start in the presence of strong radio signals eg from wifi etc. The bmw 3 series even has instructions in the manual how to hold the key near the steering wheel in such a case and a small key pic on the side of the wheel as guide! Of course this car does not have your traditional key but a push button. Isuppose this can be the case with most cars eg my w211 where the ignition circuits read the chip that is inside the key before allowing ignition.