W203 - Intermittent Issue - first start fails when cold.

[MLSVIPER]

Hi guys! First of all many thanks for all your help and contribution here, it has saved me a lot of time and money!!! I really enjoy getting things done (DYI) on my MB but this one is a but trick

I have a new problem and was wondering if any one can shed some light please, I went through different sites and google it a lot but couldn't find anyone reporting the same problem.

Issue: My W203 C220 2005 automatic won't start on the first time as it used to. It happens only when it is left parked overnight, next morning when I try to switch on it doesn't crank and I hear the engine fan spinning like crazy. Then if I turn the key back to the left and try again it works fine! I noticed it is happening when weather is cold around 11C (well, it is cold for me ;-) ) When weather is around 16C there is no problem, it fires up on the first try. I don't think it is battery as I replaced it last year by a new one (Right spec / voltage). I checked the fuses close to the engine and all looks fine. I thought it could be a relay so I replaced the S relay "Starter motor Relay" by a new one bought at Mercedes Benz, issue persist.. I connected my Bluetooth device and using different APPs (Android) some couldn't find any problem, two gave the following error: "P1664 - Powertrain", I did a lot of research and unfortunately those who have the same error has a totally different problem.

I uploaded a video on youtube showing the issue:

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- I don't think it is battery as I got a new one last year, we can also see on the video that battery is fine (has power) and that car is feeding it okay when running
- During the first try the glow plug light doesn't show on the dashboard which could indicate issue with glow plugs however when I turn it off then back on I see the glow plug light on the dashboard for 1 second which indicates it is fine...

Please any help would be very much appreciated!! Thank you!!

 

[Jobsworth]

The fact that it messes about only when the temperature is cold, and the fault code, suggests something is wrong with the heater booster control module to me. The fan running fast is often an indication of a canbus comms fault with the engine ecu. Hope this helps.

 

[MLSVIPER]

Thank you Jobsworth, it seems it is a huge work to deal with heater booster, I am still researching as don’t think it will be easier and fun to try myself :/
But thank you very much for the input!!

 

[MLSVIPER]

Hi all, unfortunately no luck yet...

I brought it to a Mercedes Specialist in North of London in hope that they would be able to spot the problem (visual or using a Start) but unfortunately they looked puzzled as me... They asked if I could leave the car there to be checked in the morning when the issue is likely to happen as the Star was not able to find any problem during their check (again, car plays up only during the first "cranking of the day" then it is all good for the rest of the day). I asked what they would do next in case they don't see the problem in the morning and going through the steps and cost associate I had to decline and bring it back home.. (it is very far from my home and the cost would be the same the dealer would pay during part exchange.. but I want to fix it first before changing due the ULEZ in London..)

ODB2 Reading:
I get the below errors during first thing in the morning, when car is cold and experiencing the issue
P2356 Cylinder pressure sensor, cylinder 10 - circuit intermittent / erratic (I got this error in most of the APPs)
P0216 Injector / Injection timing control circuit + C2023 - Chassis (I got this error in only on APP)

I get the below error when car is warm and not showing any issue to start or drive (it shows only the below error)
P1664 powertrain

I will prob bring it to another garage but was wondering if there is any advice on these errors ? Anything / part that can be replaced that may help?
For everything that I read so far (quite a lot) it points to be a problem with 0 rings (getting air in the fuel lines when engine is cooling down) and Crankshaft Position Sensor..

Please any help is appreciated

 

[BachgenDrwg]

I would look at doing the simple stuff first. Check connections for corrosion on ambient temp sensor and thermostatics. May be confusing the bcm.......
Just a thought.
Good luck
T

 

[uluc]

Merhaba aynı sorun bende olmuştu sigorta kutusu içinde fan rolesin de yapıyordu .temizleyip yerine taktım sorun bitmişti istersen bir dene

 

[BachgenDrwg]

Merhaba aynı sorun bende olmuştu sigorta kutusu içinde fan rolesin de yapıyordu .temizleyip yerine taktım sorun bitmişti istersen bir dene

Hello, the same problem happened with me. In the fuse box it was doing the fan role. I cleaned it and put it in its place.

Translated. Again check connections clean and WD40. I had a polo that had all sorts of faults that was cured by cleaning the main fuses above that battery.

 

[MLSVIPER]

Hi guys, thank you very much for all your help! I managed to get it fixed, problem was with ECU, as soon as I got a replacement all issues were gone!! It took a little longer to get fixed as I mentioned before the problem was intermittent and getting worse only on severe cold weather... few weeks ago it was around 0C here and car was struggling to fire up so that was the time to get it fixed, it is all working now! Hope it can help anyone facing the same problem. Cheers!