W124 - E220 Wont Start

[CAT220]

Over the past few weeks i'm having an intermittent problem with starting the car, this morning the engine was turning, plenty of fuel but it just wouldnt start, i'm thinking its immobiliser related? Anyone had similar experiences, my car is a w124 E220 (Late1994) done 86,000 miles.

Cheers,
C

 

[Sp!ke]

Have you had a quick look at your loom in the engine bay - does it look OK? Hopefully its not one of the biodegradeable ones.

Other than that, I'd suggest checking distributer, plugs and leads as the only starting problems I ever had were caused by them. A quick trip to ECP and all was fine again.

 

[CAT220]

Hi Sp!ke,

Loom in the engine bay looks fine.

What is "ECP"?

Cheers,
C

 

[Howard]

Euro Car Parts .......

 

[CAT220]

Euro Car Parts .......

Cheers Howard - Have booked the car in on Monday morning to local MB specialist in Glasgow, Hart motors. Guy I work with recommended them, so will keep you updated on how it goes.

Cheers,
C

 

[CAT220]

w124 - E220 Wont Start - Updated!!!

...Things seem to be getting worse today - the car wont start at all, was hoping after leaving it all day that it would start tonight but no joy! So last option was to call the AA, the AA man has been and gone and the car still wont start. He said he suspected it was the Crankshaft Sensor, however due to its position he couldnt test it. Left a report which reads as follows: "ECU not switching Ignition Coil or fuel injectors, suspect Crankshaft sensor" then said to me if its not the CSS then I would look at the immobiliser and if that fails then its most likely the ECU!

Opinions please!

 

[pammy]

I wouldn't have thought it was the immobiliser coz isn't it just dead if that's not been disabled?

 

[CAT220]

My understanding is that the engine will still turn but not start when the immobiliser is active.

 

[pammy]

mm - prev immobilisers I've had have made the car totally dead - no turnover or anything. Could be worth checking out. Anyone else know?

 

[Will]

Probably depends on the type of immobiliser?

 

[CAT220]

not sure what kind it is - just know that its factory fit.

 

[grober]

relays

I posted this on 9/4/05 in response to your original enquiry. Did you test/examine/locate any of the relays I mentioned? "In my e220 the alarm is tied to the immobiliser. Basically the alarm activates 2 relays/switches in a separate unit which interupts a couple of ignition and fuel pump relays from operating. This allows the starter to turn over but no ignition no fuel the car wont start. From your symptoms maybe these immobiliser relays/switches are faulty and only working intermittantly. PROBLEM with cars of this vintage is that all the alarm systems are ONE/OFF after market dealer fitments so no 2 are exactly the same. Your problem could also be be with one of the true MB relays (nothing to do with alarm system). Intermittant problems with either fuel pump relay or overvoltage relay can also give symptoms like this. If you want check these out they are beside the engine ecu and abs units covered by a black plastic cover behind the battery. Replacement is the only effective long term solution !! You really need to be comfortable with vehicle electrics to get into this territory so get help if you feel out of your depth. Also contact the previous owner to see how he "switched off" the alarm" ANOTHER THOUGHT when starting from cold overnight when you turn on the ignition but not engage the starter do you hear the fuel pump run briefly to pressurise the system. If you do then the fuel pump relay is not involved. This would then point at ignition isolation to immobilise the car. Normally both are involved to prevent fuel being pumped into the engine and hence to the cat without being ignited.
__________________

 

[Ian B Walker]

RAC told me that it was the crankshaft sensor when mine had the same symptoms. OK so it was my 260. But the principle is the same. Now how do I put this ...............................Gently I guess. My ECU had blown. Price of new one upon application. Get a big overdraft.


My symptoms were. All ignition lights on, engine turned over, no starting. Check your tacho while cranking it over, if it stays still then see above

 

[grober]

If its your ECU remember http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/Products.aspx?category=129
as an alternative source

 

[CAT220]

Cheers for the responses guys. Grober - thanks for your help mate, just not too confident at dealing with the electrical side of things. I'm taking advantage of my "free recovery" with the AA and getting the car transported to Hart motors in Glasgow, spoke to the guy this morning and he reckons he'll be able to look at it tomorrow. So wait and see how that goes. Worst case and its the ECU how much we talking? £600? If thats the case then will be tempted to go down the "reconditioned" road.

 

[grober]

Haggle a bit!

You will get recon prices on the bba-reman site. For the genuine MB unit give your local dealer a call. They will quote you standard retail price but tell them you have an alternative source and see if they come down a bit!!! you may need the exact ECU identification number but they should be able to match it with the car chassis number.

 

[CAT220]

Just spoke to Hart motors, the cars needs a new Starter Relay £116 + Vat supplied and fitted. How does that price sound? Getting fitted this afternoon and will be ready for tomorrow morning. Relieved its not the ECU!

Cheers,
C

 

[grober]

starter relay

dont understand the term" starter relay" Do you mean starter solenoid which is part of the pre-engaged starter motor? I thought you said you could turn over the engine which I think means your starter circuits are OK?? They probably mean something else like the ovp relay or the fuel pump relay. As long as they sort it doesnt really matter

 

[CAT220]

Got the car back on Saturday and its running fine. Spoke to the garage and it was the fuel pump relay which has been replaced.

Thanks for the advice,
Cheers,
C