W203 C240 Doesn't start please help!!

[Gemdo]

Please help me diagnose this situation! My car will not work, the battery is fully charged and both key fobs have sufficient battery power but between them they dont want to correspond with one another. I open the car manually by separating the metal key from the fob and put it in the door handle and get in. as i open the door, the other 3 doors and boot all release open aswell. I put the key in the ignition and there is no 'buzz' to release the steering lock and i cant turn the ignition at all. When i first tried this the alarm went off but when the key went in the ignition it instantly turned the alarm off. I know this car must be confused in some way, whether its the immobiliser i don't know but i can't drive my car to my local dealer or any garage at all, i don't want it recovered either. I just want to know whats wrong so i can fix it and get on my way! I have an auto electrician friend who checked all the fuses etc and he cannot see a problem.

I'm a Mercedes owner, GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!



Calum in Derby

 

[BlackC55]

The ignition switch could be the fault. You need it plugged in really. The ignition switch is not somthing you can replace with out the correct equipment.

 

[Gemdo]

Mertrux (my local dealer) suggested that. Its just getting the motor to the dealer isn't it really? I'm going to have to admit defeat and recover my car . Going back to my auto sparky friend, he has the relevant mercedes computers at his work but his evil boss will not let him come offsite with the expensive system. Devastated!

 

[dog68]

Have you tried resetting it, by disconnecting the battery for an hour?

 

[Gemdo]

Yes, i did that a little bit ago but still the same. maybe if i disconnect the EIS and reconnect it??

And whats the difference between the EZS ans EIS? I'm guessing they are ajoined in some way behind my dash

 

[GP801]

Is this an early W203 - prefacelift? We had this issue with a previous car - early W203. Took the dealer ages to sort it out under warranty. Their excuse was that different bits are sourced from different suppliers and they dont talk to one another very well. Ended up replacing most of the ignition system, alarm and the keys. However this car was a disaster from start to finish and we sold it once the warranty ran out. By the time it was 3yrs old mercedes had spent £6000 on warranty repairs mostly to various electronic systems.
I really think you need an expert to look at this problem.

 

[Gemdo]

Ok, now that sounds scary! I hope its not £6000 serious!

 

[BlackC55]

EZS and EIS are the same thing. The ignition switch.

 

[Gemdo]

Ok, i really hope its just the EIS situation. It is an early w203 because the c240 was scrapped after 2003 i believe? Even though the CLK still carried the lazy 2.6 lump on? Its a lovely car and i've slaved over keeping it in great shape for 2 years and maintaining it has been a doddle up until now. What a lovely christmas present!

 

[BlackC55]

The EIS to replace is going to be £500-600 BTW

 

[GP801]

Just to reassure you the £6000 was the result of numerous faults. When we tried to trade it in the supplying dealer didnt want it because they knew how unreliable it was.

 

[Gemdo]

£500 - £600. Ok, hopefully seeing as i know quite a few guys at mertrux and i do repair and paint the mertrux sales cars they have there. so i'm only hoping i can back hand a mechanic and they can help me out!! because i didnt budget for this when i bought my son his expensive presents! I can't take santa from my boy!

 

[Gemdo]

Just to reassure you the £6000 was the result of numerous faults. When we tried to trade it in the supplying dealer didnt want it because they knew how unreliable it was.

You got ultra unlucky with that car didnt you. I feel so upset about my car and its only broken once!!

 

[GP801]

Yes. It was not great and it was german built not S. African. It got through new dash screen, new alarm, new keys, new control unit in the boot - cant remember what that was for, suspension bushes, climate control system - cant remember the precise fault, recurrent engine management light problems and others that I have forgotten all in 25,000 miles. We got to know the mobilo team pretty well. Pleased to say the others including the old 124 are much better

 

[Gemdo]

to be honest, i'm sure we can allow ze germans the odd mishap surely?! Even the best of them can get it wrong cant they??

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

to be honest, i'm sure we can allow ze germans the odd mishap surely?! Even the best of them can get it wrong cant they??

Of course we can, just when its not your's or a friends motor

 

[Gemdo]

exactly my friend, exactly! You should hear the missus 'Thats it, its for sale - what else can we buy with the money we get from it?' my answer is simple 'vectra diesel' she soon wakes up and knows she loves polling up at occasions in the MB. We even fit in at the golf clubs and wedding venues now!

 

[Gemdo]

The EIS to replace is going to be £500-600 BTW

Thats a bloody good quote you gave me!! Because its been booked in at Mertrux for £494 including a low loader to get it there. So you deserve a pat on the back for that mate you know your stuff! I will keep you all updated but its going in tomorrow and by the time the germans make the part specifically programmed to my machine, ship it to snowdonia (here) and its fitted. I will probably get my car back sometime after christmas!

 

[scouser70]

I am experiencing much the same problem. My local Merc repair shop has priced the whole job (including recovery) at around £750. This is with a new "green" key (?) etc. Gues we all have no choice but to pay up...

 

[Gemdo]

I wish I were as happy as a dancing banana! :bannana:

But i'm not! Whats a green key? One that doesn't make a carbon footprint in your pocket whilst you're at work?!