URGENT! w203 c200k starting problem

[precious786]

Hi there guys, just tried to start my car today, (it's a 2001 c200k) first try it started but the instrument cluster was not displaying anything, fuel/speed gauges weren't working either.

So then i removed my key and I thought maybe the immobiliser kicked in or something or the other because I left the car open for a while before starting the car, locked and unlocked the car...then tried again, i had the cluster light up with a warning about brake fluid (irrelevant to me because my fluid level was ok) speedo/fuel gauges not reading still but the car started but with a very rough idle.

Removed my key again, tried to start again car don't start, cluster not working completely again but all other electrics working fine including lights not sure about rear lights waiting for a helper!! I'm just going to check the starter fuse, oh and the instrument cluster fuse ok.

I think maybe it is the rear SAM by reading a couple posts, but I was wondering if it was the rear SAM would car start or not?

thanks guys for reading my post in advance

 

[steve333]

Only way to be sure what has failed is to get the fault codes read on star,good luck,hope it's not thing too serious

 

[precious786]

thanks steve, i got a few fault codes through the odb connection one being the speed sensor and another a become communication link error

erm..i guess i will have to visit the stealers unless anyone knows a good specialist in the west sussex area

 

[steve333]

At least you have something to start with,willow 132 on here has star,think he's based in middlesex,sure he won't mind me giving him a mention

 

[precious786]

ok give him a try, but i don't think i can pm yet!! well i hope he reads this post!

 

[precious786]

hi there guys, well this morning rang pcs, they will have a look at it but need to take it down to them somehow :S

well i thought i would try to start the car and hurrah!! it started but now has srs fault and esp fault registered!!

Anyone had a similar situation on their car? Just want to know what I'm getting myself into...well to put it bluntly how it is going to cost to fix

thanks

 

[steve333]

Sounds like the cluster is faulty but once you've had the fault codes read you will know for sure,good luck again

 

[AndyPCD]

thanks for the mention steve.

I would be willing to have a look but think its a bit too far for you to travel.

I would be inclined to be looking at a rear sam fault on this car

 

[precious786]

thanks willow132

an update: the car starts now! all gauge needles in operation, had an esp fault and srs fault, i started the car about hour later the esp fault gone now just srs fault...also worth a mention the horn wasn't working (was going to sort it out) I did drive the car, if it drives ok, and was perfect.

would the srs fault be connected with the inoperative horn?, going to check if there is voltage going to the horn, once i get a helper to press the horn for us, hopefully will deduce the steering coil spring thingy...

the symptoms seem similar to people having a flat battery but the thing is the car wasn't starting last night, aa man tried to jump the car the proper way i think and last night the symptoms seemed to be pointing to the rear sam from reading various posts in the forum.

but this morning the car started as above, which is pointing to a flat battery, wierd!?!

willow132 i'm willing to travel, i kinda know the area, my cousin goes to university near there and dropped him off a couple of times.

I am really stumped on this now, I rather hope it's a rear sam fault then a battery drain fault, because reading through others posts it can be a variety of components that can cause battery and a headache!

 

[AndyPCD]

Right just let me get my head round this it wouldnt start last night so the aa man came out to jump start it but it still wouldnt start??????

The srs and horn problem could be related to the same fault as they both go through the cable reel behind the steering wheel so could be the same fault.

Ok cool when did you want to bring the car over to me to have a look at it for you.

 

[Mercedes cozy]

I had a similar problem on a S class once before, the kids had left a water bottle on the back seat and the rear sam filled up with water, causing the sam to drain the battery and stop the fuel guage from working.

Because of this the star would not cominicate.

 

[precious786]

Right just let me get my head round this it wouldnt start last night so the aa man came out to jump start it but it still wouldnt start??????

yep, but when i started the car originally, it started fine! but without anything on the dash operating, so i presumed the alarm was still armed, removed key, locked and unlocked the car - started again, it had a rough idle but this time the lcd screen was lit up showing mileage, but the gauges were not responding, revs not show, fuel level zero (when it weren't). Then turn't the car off to check fuses - they were fine, cleaned the ir part of key and tried to start the car this time the cluster was dead aswell as the car, it wasn't turning over. Then AA man came, didn't know what he was doing - he said it was a flat battery but i told him to check it with a multimetre, battery was ok and there was no noticeable drain, i remember seeing 0.4ma i think? he still was adamant to jump the car, he rang his mate to find out the procedure of jumping the car, did so with no avail!

The srs and horn problem could be related to the same fault as they both go through the cable reel behind the steering wheel so could be the same fault.

I will check with a multimetre as soon my brother comes over

Ok cool when did you want to bring the car over to me to have a look at it for you.

would the weekend be ok but really i come whenever your free

 

[precious786]

I had a similar problem on a S class once before, the kids had left a water bottle on the back seat and the rear sam filled up with water, causing the sam to drain the battery and stop the fuel guage from working.

Because of this the star would not cominicate.

hi there mercedes cozy, yeh that what i was thinking at first, that would explain why the car started this morning and not last night, my boot carpet seems a bit moist?

 

[AndyPCD]

thats a bit worrying that he had to speak to his mate to find out how to jump start a car was this his first day as an appretice in the trade lol. If i had heard this i wouldnt of let him within 50 feet of my car.

i will have to check the diary and let you know but im free all week so if you wanted to come during the week its fine as well

 

[precious786]

thats a bit worrying that he had to speak to his mate to find out how to jump start a car was this his first day as an appretice in the trade lol. If i had heard this i wouldnt of let him within 50 feet of my car.

i will have to check the diary and let you know but im free all week so if you wanted to come during the week its fine as well

i think he was an apprentice! because he told me to let him know the outcome, when i get my car sorted lol

could i come by tommorow? also i don't yet have pm? sorry willow

i was going to get the car serviced, this week until this problem occurred

Oh well sooner rather then later, my wife uses it for work and i would hate for it to happened while she was driving the car

 

[AndyPCD]

What sort of time are you looking tomorrow.

Pop up you email address and then i will email you and then you can edit it out

 

[precious786]

hi there mate

its [EMAIL REMOVED by Request[/EMAIL]

any time after 9 is ok, i was thinking mid-day is ok but whenever your free is fine, hopefully the car starts tommorow morning!

 

[AndyPCD]

I have emailed you so you can go back in a edit out your email address

 

[precious786]

just an update for anyone interested in the thread

met up with willow132 today, fault codes read - his laptop looked like it was full of error codes for my car all relating to components running on low voltage

so was advised to change the battery for now and few other bits, and see how it goes, fingers crossed it is the battery

thanks guys and thanks to willow132 for all the advice and his time

now i just need to read the other threads make sure i know what i am doing when changing the battery

 

[Grahamcol]

Do be careful changing the battery in a W203. You will need to read other posts about doing this. From what I can gather it's very easy to blow components (SAM ?) and I've read a safe procedure on either this or the "other" forum. Good luck