W204 Dead . . . . . sometimes . . . .

[restoman]

Hi
I have a 2011 W204 C Class. Went to use her yesterday, doors opened remotely, mirrors came out and dash lit up. Turned the key to start her and nothing - she was as dead as Dodo. Thought it was likely to be the main battery thinking that perhaps the auxilary battery had powered everything else (?) but main battery was reading 12.3 volts.
Left the car yesterday as busy and then called Green Flag man today - he came; and car started first time. . . . . no problems, and no fault codes present.
Ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you

[steve-V8s]

My 2010 w204 car does the same thing occasionally. Lock and unlock has so far woken it up. As with yours no errors logged.

[restoman]

Thanks for your reply Steve - sorry to hear that you've had a similar problem.
I also posted this on one of the Mercedes Benz forums and had a number of replies saying that it is likely to be the release motor on the Electronic Steering Lock not operating and therefore not disengaging the lock. If this lock doesn't disengage during the start up process everything shuts down as obviously it is dangerous for the car to become mobile with the steering lock still engaged. Apparently the lock motor can often be 'jolted' into action by thumping the bottom of the steering column. The advice is to change the ESL/motor sooner rather than later as if it goes completely then the car will need to be recovered to a MB dealer as the new unit will need to be coded . . . .
I'm currently exploring the possibility of just changing the motor rather than the whole ESL unit . . . .

[restoman]

Presumably, this is the part . . . .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ESL-ELV-Car-Steering-Loc...
Assumig that the rest of the unit is OK and that the motor can be replaced on a DIY basis . . . .

Edited by restoman on Tuesday 4th July 17:39

[Sheepshanks]

Did the replies from the Mercedes forum point to the place in Birmingham that repairs these units?

[restoman]

Might not be as simple as hoped;
https://youtu.be/UYsBxxOXoA4

[buggalugs]

Electronic Steering Lock went in mine about 2 years ago, was advised at the time that it had to go to merc for fix as the new unit had to be coded. Took weeks and weeks to sort. Think you can get little repair kits these days if you can get the old unit off i.e. if it's not locked in place. They also replaced the bit that the key goes into.

I have to say, I still get the odd time maybe once or twice a month where the ignition will come on but the starter won't go - removing and re-inserting the key always sorts it. I don't know if it's my imagination but I think it does it more with one key that another. I think the whole key / reader / lock area is a bit of a weak spot in these cars.

Edited by buggalugs on Tuesday 4th July 21:39

[steve-V8s]

I was thinking more along the lines of the not in gear sensor.

What ever it turns out to be it will probably be obvious when examined that it failed because they saved 5p when specifying the part. Just like all the other bits that have required attention because the were made down to a price.

[muchacho]

These chaps are in Birmingham.. http://www.replacementmercedeskeys.co.uk/customer-...

And sorted our problematic W164 ignition module only the other week. Great guys.

Good luck with yours.

[restoman]

muchacho said:

These chaps are in Birmingham.. http://www.replacementmercedeskeys.co.uk/customer-...

And sorted our problematic W164 ignition module only the other week. Great guys.

Good luck with yours.

Thank you

[buggalugs]

steve-V8s said:

I was thinking more along the lines of the not in gear sensor.

What ever it turns out to be it will probably be obvious when examined that it failed because they saved 5p when specifying the part. Just like all the other bits that have required attention because the were made down to a price.

You can tell pretty easily, when you put the key in you can usually hear a motor whir as the steering unlocks. If you don't hear it and the ignition doesn't come on then there's your problem (probably). If it was the transmission position you'd hear the steering unlock and the igntion would come on but the starter wouldn't fire.

Another one on my car was the lock failed in the unlocked position, i.e. the wheel wasn't locked with the car off. The car sees the disagreement between the lock's commanded position and it's actual position and refuses to start the car, because not having control of that lock is a safety issue (could lock while driving)