My Merc didn't start today.....

[Garlick]

That's right, the Merc. My 1994 hewn-from-granite Mercedes-Benz, that I was singing the praises of only yesterday in the PH office.

I popped out this morning and turned the key, the starter whirred along strongly but it didn't fire. Must be the immobiliser I thought, repeat opening process and try again....nothing. Repeat until bored and pedestrians start looking at me.

So in a huff I came to work in the 944 (which started first time of course), slightly bemused that my Mercedes dared to break. Even the Mrs said 'but that's our reliable, sensible car?' when I told her. I might write to Mercedes to complain

RAC this weekend then. Older cars, who would have them eh?

[andy-xr]

It'll probably start fine when you're back home. Had a Fiesta that would work when it wanted, rather than when need arised

[fatboy b]

I take it there is fuel in it

[Kinky]

I know I should not laugh - but that is so funny - especially as everything you say is 100% true

I know it's no consolation whatsoever - but my 124 always started and ran perfectly

[IROC-Z]

Shirley if it was the immobiliser then it would do nothing at all? Sounds like a fuelling or ignition issue

[MadRob6]

Could be worth checking the crank position sensor. If they've gone then the engine will just spin and spin as the ECU won't know when to fire the injectors or the plugs.

I'm assuming it's an EFI engine, i know sod all about Mercs.

[Kentish]

I jumped in the TT last night to move it out of the garage.

The bugger was as flat as a flat thing, had to push it back and get the charger on it.

Audis are reknown for their batteries going flat after a week of no use.

Not very handy when you arrive at airport parking after a 2 week holiday is it?

[fatboy b]

Kentish said:

I jumped in the TT last night to move it out of the garage.

The bugger was as flat as a flat thing, had to push it back and get the charger on it.

Audis are reknown for their batteries going flat after a week of no use.

Not very handy when you arrive at airport parking after a 2 week holiday is it?

According to my A5 handbook (whether you believe it or not), they now have a power management thingy that gradually shuts systems down to give starting priority.

[MadRob6]

Kentish said:

I jumped in the TT last night to move it out of the garage.

The bugger was as flat as a flat thing, had to push it back and get the charger on it.

Audis are reknown for their batteries going flat after a week of no use.

Not very handy when you arrive at airport parking after a 2 week holiday is it?

My old Passat wouldn't keep its charge for over 2 weeks, turned out that the alternator was borked and kept draining the battery. Kept its charge for over a month after that.

[Kentish]

fatboy b said:

Kentish said:

I jumped in the TT last night to move it out of the garage.

The bugger was as flat as a flat thing, had to push it back and get the charger on it.

Audis are reknown for their batteries going flat after a week of no use.

Not very handy when you arrive at airport parking after a 2 week holiday is it?

According to my A5 handbook (whether you believe it or not), they now have a power management thingy that gradually shuts systems down to give starting priority.

Good to hear!

It is not unique to Audi though, my wifes Qashqais' on board computer runs all the time.

[Podie]

Garlick said:

Even the Mrs said 'but that's our reliable, sensible car?' when I told her.

Having chatted to her last weekend, we know that the default PH answer of "MX5" is the correct response here...

[Kinky]

Podie said:

Garlick said:

Even the Mrs said 'but that's our reliable, sensible car?' when I told her.

Having chatted to her last weekend, we know that the default PH answer of "MX5" is the correct response here...

So funny but so true

[Leicesterdave]

Even Mercs feel tired sometimes.

[C2]

My 1994 W124 had a similar sounding problem, turned out to be a common relay problem with one of the relays in the fusebox in the engine bay.

[Garlick]

Podie said:

Garlick said:

Even the Mrs said 'but that's our reliable, sensible car?' when I told her.

Having chatted to her last weekend, we know that the default PH answer of "MX5" is the correct response here...

True enough, the MX5 never breaks down (touches wood)

C2 said:

My 1994 W124 had a similar sounding problem, turned out to be a common relay problem with one of the relays in the fusebox in the engine bay.

Interesting, was it something you could fix yourself?

[C2]

Garlick said:

C2 said:

My 1994 W124 had a similar sounding problem, turned out to be a common relay problem with one of the relays in the fusebox in the engine bay.

Interesting, was it something you could fix yourself?

Being a sticky relay it was intermittent so I managed to get it to a specialist who knew what the problem was straight away. Took them all of 2 minutes to fix.

Edited by C2 on Friday 6th August 11:13

Edited by C2 on Friday 6th August 11:13

[neil_bolton]

Garlick said:

Podie said:

Garlick said:

Even the Mrs said 'but that's our reliable, sensible car?' when I told her.

Having chatted to her last weekend, we know that the default PH answer of "MX5" is the correct response here...

True enough, the MX5 never breaks down (touches wood)

I'll go with that. I spend 6 months thoroughly abusing the MX5, and it doesn't grumble at all - even when I forgot to top it's oil up - yet I get in the M5, and within 4 days it's thrown it's belts in a tantrum and taken out wires, fuses and all sorts.

Bah.

[Garlick]

The M5 has broken?

[neil_bolton]

Garlick said:

The M5 has broken?

Fixed now.

Ate half it's 'Serpentine' belt (fan belt to you and I) and the remants, whilst spinning around flailing at anything in the vicinity, took out the MAF sensor wire and the VANOS sensor wire - meaning it got very grumpy, and spat a few fuses at the same time.

I was not amused. Still, could have been a LOT worse.

However, I chucked into ForzaWest, got him to sort it, and as well as an oil service, £250 later, it's back to rude health.

[AndyM31]

My Mini 3 weeks if its not used dies, as a consequence I put a charger to it. Still when it is taken on the ferry for 90 minutes, the car looses the time, some ignition power and it throws up all sort of errors. The troubling thing is that it is an R56.

It has been in the shop and no faults can be found. It is going in again next week to see. Embarrassing when you have to be pushed off from time to time. My C200K that i had never did this and it lived unplugged for months at a time when I was in that particular job!