Problems starting 2001 CLK - just clicks when key turned

[TonyTony2]

Hello All,

I am having a ongoing problem when starting my clk where I will simply hear a click but after a few tries it will usually start.

I have renewed the battery which solved the problem for 2 days and we are now back to same problem. The feeds to the starter seem fine and the steering lock does 'deactivate'.

The only other possible solution from looking through the forum is the replacement of the ignition switch which appears to be very costly, although the other threads do not have a response saying this has worked.

I suppose my question is do you think there is anything else that I should try before going for the ignition switch replacement. I am seeing quotes of £1000 for ignition switch replacement and ultimately I may be better off part exchanging.

Apologies for the long email but I am literally struggling to work out what to do next.

Many thanks,

Tony

 

[d w124]

Hi Tony and welcome to the forum.Try and give a knock to the starter motor and see

 

[BlackC55]

Is it a 320 by any chance?

 

[allias]

Sounds like starter. Black55 - is it possible to take ignition key from diffrent car but with fob at the same time? (fob programed to specific ignition lock)?

 

[TonyTony2]

Thanks all - it's the CLK 200.

 

[FazMan]

The fact that it improved for a while after the battery was changed could possibly indicate it's down to the supply to the started motor.
It may be worth checking all the connections and cleaning as necessary, earth connections as well as supply, from the battery to the started motor. Of course, with caution.

Always worth starting with the cheaper options.........

 

[AndyPCD]

I would have to say it would be the starter motor that is on it way out. When the ignition switch goes down you normally cant turn the key at all

A click usually means the starter is stuck as said above next time it does it i would try giving the starter a bit of a whack and see what happens

 

[Ian B Walker]

Check the wire going from the starter to the body. Where it joins the terminal the are prone to rotting though.

 

[keysl]

Had this issue last year - fitted a new crank position sensor myself and that solved it.

More info here