w203 (2004) c220cdi intermittent start issue getting worse

[tordofm]

Hi,

For the last 2 months I have had 3 or 4 occasions whereby the engine does not start but it turns over for a few seconds until I stop it. On the next turn it works fine (within 1/2 a second). Tonight I tried 4 times but it never fired up (engine was cold), I left it for five minutes and put my basic OBD tool on it and no codes. I tried it again and it started without hesitation as it normally does.

Does anybody have any thoughts before I take it for a star checkup?

Thanks

Marc

 

[Rory]

Ignition switch (EIS)?

Air leaks or low fuel pressure can produce similar symptoms, but the car usually starts after a bit of cranking, rather than not starting and then starting instantly on the next try.

 

[brucemillar]

Crank Position Sensor? get it on a STAR that will show if that is the issue.

 

[tordofm]

Thanks for all the advice, as I am more electrical than mechanical I think I will get it put on a star diagnostics machine asap and will report on what codes are hopefully showing up.

Marc

 

[tordofm]

I just got my local MB dealer to run star on the car. It cam back with:

2043-001 check component B6/1 (camshaft hall sensor) no signal
2043-002 check component B6/1 (camshaft hall sensor) signal faulty

The code had been logged 60 times (much more than I had expected) and I was informed it may have tripped when driving but it would not cause the engine to stop but would have thrown a fault code.

So not the crank but the camshaft sensor which I was told is fairly easy to change.

Thanks for your help

Marc