W203 Completely Dead in the Mornings!!

[skymastor]

Hi Guy's

For over a month now, I have had an intermittent problem in the mornings which has now developed into an everyday occurrence, whereby my car is completely dead!! No operation with the remote and nothing when I place key in the ignition!! I have to open the car with the skeleton key (alarm going off!), pop the bonnet and take off the negative battery lead and then replace it to enable the car to accept and recognise the key in the ignition and also open by the key's remote.

It is similar to this problem in this post from 2007:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/44052-w203-c320-2001-no-electrical-power.html

All,

This is a strange one, that perhaps somebody has an idea on.

We have a 2001 W203 C320, and this morning my dad went to start it, and nothing happened absolutely dead. So he opened the door with the skeleton key, no power to instrument cluster, courtesy lights absolutely dead.

The battery was new 3 months ago, (For additional info this car has in the past had a battery drain problem from COMAND which has been resolved, personally I don't think this is relevant)

Anyway, he put the car on the trickle charger, and within 2 seconds everything sprang to life, alarm went off, lights on, and started first time with the key, which suggests to me that there was no issue with the battery.

Any ideas welcome?

The battery on my vehicle is fine and when I reconnect the battery, as with the post above, everything springs to life!! Its as if it has been re-set by disconnecting and re-connecting it again!! When I run my DAS system after this event, I have the following errors stored:

EZS - Electronic Ignition Switch

Code: B1000 - Control Unit N73 (EIS[EZS] control unit is defective.
Status: Stored

ICM - Instrument Cluster with Maintenance Interval Display

Code: B1124 - The main reading is incorrect (too low).
Status: Stored

Code: B1109 - Fault in CAN bus communication with Control Unit N73 (EIS[EZS] control unit. Important note: the fault code can be ignored if it is possible to establish diagnosis with Control Unit N73 (EIS[EZS] control unit.
Status: Event Stored.

Well, I can clear the faults and everything is fine all day long, until the next morning when it is all repeated again!

When I run DAS diagnosis on N73 (EIS[EZS] control unit and specifically the the Transmitter Key and Drive Authorisation, everything is as it should be, showing no faults!! Even after the event and the above faults are still in memory!! I clear all faults and things are good all day, but its the same procedure again the following morning!!

So, it appears that DAS communicates with the N73 (EIS[EZS] control unit perfectly without errors, but in the mornings the car is dead showing it faulty!

Does anyone know if this is a common problem with this unit, whereby is can be faulty intermittently? Or maybe a loose connection somewhere that DAS cannot highlight?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Ta...

 

[kwakdonut]

Well am not an expert, but that looks like the ignition barrel is defective??

 

[skymastor]

Cheers Kwakdonut,

It seems like its the ignition barrel but like I said, it shows OK in DAS.

I don't know if this will help anyone, but the mornings in question are below freezing and it appears to have got worse with the cold. Last weekend when I kept the car in the garage and unlocked with the bonnet up, she responded and started first time!

Anyone any clues?

Cheers....

 

[BlackC55]

It does sound like a EIS fault.

Asre you sure the battery is ok?

 

[skymastor]

It does sound like a EIS fault.

Asre you sure the battery is ok?

The battery also shows good in DAS, giving over 12V and up to 14V depending. It's only 2 and a half years old and original from MB. It was replaced the same time as the rear SAM. I find it so strange that the car springs back to life when I take off and re-connect the battery lead!!

Also, last weekend when I had the car parked in the garage. I left it open with the bonnet up and it started 1st time!

Apart from the initial faults showing in DAS, the EIS tests ok and functions how it should!! if I have a DAS system and it shows me this, what more can a stealer do?? Apart from change every part till its solved (at my expense)!! Its doing my nut it!!

 

[BlackC55]

I think the "wake up" is not working properly. This is probably due to a faulty EIS. This is where I would start.

 

[skymastor]

OK.

Thanks BlackC55. I also think that too, but when I diagnose it in DAS, its fine! EIS, is that the part what the igntion key goes into? Any Idea of cost or more worryingly, the programming of it to my vehicle and keys because I would assume it would need that, right?

 

[BlackC55]

A new switch fitted is about £600

 

[skymastor]

Sorted??

As an update, since the freezing temperatures have now gone, so has the problem!

It must have been the freezing temperatures all along which had cause this issue!

Regards...

 

[gurmukh]

I am having the same problems

Hi

I am currently experiencing the sames problems, the car won't open during morning and it will in the afternoons. Were you able to resolver your problem. Any suggestions would be great

 

[skymastor]

Hi

I am currently experiencing the sames problems, the car won't open during morning and it will in the afternoons. Were you able to resolver your problem. Any suggestions would be great

Apart from what's quoted above, there's little more to add to this from me fella...

Its never been a problem since the weathers picked up, but you can bet your underwangers that it will return again when the cold weather arrives!!

Only a problem if I still have the motor then...

 

[skymastor]

Well fellas..

I now have no underwangers!! The problem has returned and it is very strange.

1. I operate the open function on the remote key and nothing. Dead.

2. I wait 2 mins and operate the remote key again and the car jumps to life as if nothing was wrong. Car functions correctly.

3. I leave car for 3 to 4 hours and same again! Wait two mins after operating remote key and hey presto!!

Of note is that when it is dead and waiting for the 2 mins to elapse, I have noticed that no mileage is shown in the display, only dashes "-------". The mileage returns again after the 2 mins and the vehicle is back to life.

When I run DAS it shows the same error as I have previously explaned earlier in this thread. I clear it and it returns again after the car has had to wait the 2 mins to come to life!

Apart from going through the expense of a new ignition switch and reprogramming of keys, anyone have any ideas? Anyone suffered these symptoms since?

Thanks in advance...

Apart from what's quoted above, there's little more to add to this from me fella...

Its never been a problem since the weathers picked up, but you can bet your underwangers that it will return again when the cold weather arrives!!

Only a problem if I still have the motor then...

 

[BlackC55]

I would put money on the EIS being faulty

 

[nigel cross]

I would put money on the EIS being faulty

Whats that Ollie?

 

[BlackC55]

Electronic Ignition Switch

 

[skymastor]

Absolutely... However, I'm trying to ask if anyone knows of a possible fix i.e, reprogramming of the eeprom or component replacement within the EIS??

Otherwise its "bite the bullet and buy new" with all the expense and hassle to go with it...

Electronic Ignition Switch

 

[Paul Dawkins]

Electronic Ignition Switch

That sounds expensive?

 

[Johig]

I'm having exactly the same problem. dashes instead of mileage etc. I can open with the mechanical key set the alarm off and eventually the key will turn in the ignition. Much worse when cold. If I find out what causes it I'll post.

 

[skymastor]

Much worse when cold, yes Johig.... That's how mine started and now its permanent whatever the weather.... I know its the EIS unit as DAS tells me it is, but surly it can be repaired? I'm looking for suggestions...

 

[Johig]

I tried the point the key and press, wait a couple of mins and then try again and it worked, car opened and off we went. I then drove a couple of miles and stopped and locked it. 10 minutes later returned, car opened, hazards started blinking but car started and no alarm. Switched off, restarted all OK except mirrors didn't fold out. Got them out with the switch and off I went. I feel better with the point and shoot, wait 2 minutes and then go technique than waking the neighbours up with the alarm at 6.30 am but It needs sorting out. My fear is that once these things start they usually get worse and they rarely go away. More news as it happens.