C200 2008 Not starting...

[AndySheff]

Any technical bods out there that can give some tips on what to look at ?
The MIL parked her 2008 C200 kompressor, petrol auto, and a few hours later it won't start. So it's dumped outside her house at the mo. Battery is fine - got 12,5v. Remote locks/unlocks. Headlights and interior lights can be turned on. Dash backlights on. But turn the key to pos I or II and there're no warning lights coming on. (No oil, charge warning, etc). Turning the key to start gives total silence. Auto selector can't be moved out of park. I've disconnected the battery and reconnected after a while. Checked fuses and relays.
So it looks like it's immobilised itself ??

Tips greatfully received.

[zedx19]

Starter motor for a guess.

[Pothole]

Google had this:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c6234_ds6...

12.5v is not much, try jumping it, and/or a spare key

[AndySheff]

Thanks Pothole. Had found that thread and read most of it. A lot of it didn't make sense, but on 2nd pass found a procedure I can try tomorrow.
Have already tried spare key and a jump start - no difference.

ETA - 1 tip was to leave key in pos II for at least 10 secs, then try and start......nothing.
Another tip was to unlock, lock, unlock, lock, lock and unlock,,then leave key at pos II for 10 secs......nothing.

Edited by AndySheff on Wednesday 23 January 17:29

[crispian22]

Could be the EIS.


https://www.sinspeed.co.uk/mercedes-eis-ezs-immobi...

Edited by crispian22 on Wednesday 23 January 17:54

[AndySheff]

crispian22 said:

Could be the EIS.


https://www.sinspeed.co.uk/mercedes-eis-ezs-immobi...

Edited by crispian22 on Wednesday 23 January 17:54

That's certainly looking like the culprit. Thanks Crisp.

[buggalugs]

I had an issue with the ESL on mine, if you don’t hear the whizz of the steering lock coming off when you put the key in then it’s probably in that area. Check if the steering is locked when it’s supposed to be.

The little motor in it fails, and once the system sees the lock not doing what it’s told it just shuts down.

[jet_noise]

Pothole said:

Google had this:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c6234_ds6...

12.5v is not much, try jumping it, and/or a spare key

Oh yes it is /pantomime

12.5V is exactly what a good lead acid battery will give off load.
It'll be higher when the engine is running of course, 14ish IIRC

[AndySheff]

buggalugs said:

I had an issue with the ESL on mine, if you don’t hear the whizz of the steering lock coming off when you put the key in then it’s probably in that area. Check if the steering is locked when it’s supposed to be.

The little motor in it fails, and once the system sees the lock not doing what it’s told it just shuts down.

We have a Winner !
That's exactly what it is. No little whirr of the steering lock motor when putting in/taking out the key and the steering wheel is constantly unlocked.
Looks like I'll have to whip out the ESL and ignition unit to send off for a repair.

[Kongshavn]

Had exactly the same problem with the same model / year and when the technician from Mercedes assistance turned up he rocked the steering wheel back and forth like a maniac and I wondered what he was doing! However it worked and released the lock and the problem didn't reoccur luckily.

Worth a try before taking apart?...

[Kongshavn]

Ignore me above, I see steering wheel is unlocked...

[buggalugs]

^^ Looks like it didn't lock when it was supposed to so now the system is out of sync and will be sitting in some kind of error state that you need special magic spells to get out of. Apparently if it fails locked then you have to take the whole steering column out to get the module off, luckily mine failed unlocked too.

[st4]

EIS - common fault on them. Prepare to spend £500

[yellowbentines]

st4 said:

EIS - common fault on them. Prepare to spend £500

You can get them repaired for a fraction of that, first hit on google - £120.

https://www.themasterlocksmith.com/product/mercede...