Engine Starting Problems. Does the W124 have an immobiliser in the Key barrel?
This problem is the same one I posted a month or so ago. Unfortunately still havent had luck finding the source of the problem. Any advice would be appreciated.
Car:
W124 E280 1994 Build (Australian spec)
Problem:
i) If I turn the key in the number 2 position (ie when all lights on the dash light up) and just before the position to start the engine, and leave the car in this number 2 position for a couple of minutes. If I then remove the key and then reinsert the key and try to restart, the car wont start. The starter motor is cranking but nothing is igniting. However if I wait for a minute or so and then try and restart, the car works with no problems.
ii) This issue also occurs when I have driven the car for a while, then turn the car off and try to immediatly restart.
Items Fixed:
I have changed all the sensors in the engine such as Crankshaft angle, camshuft, fuel sensors etc. New fuel pumps and filters. New filter inside the fuel tank. New engine wiring loom. New battery. But the problem persists and its driving me and my mechanic nuts.
Now we brought the car to a Merc Authorised dealer, and they recommended replacing the throttle actuator (pricey) and a number of other items. We have done everything except the throttle actuator. We're not yet convinced that its entirely the throttle actuator as the problem, although we know this will be an issue in the future as the wire insulation in the component starts deteriorating, like the wiring loom. But we thought that the throttle actuator will only cause the car to stall?
We thought it may have been the engine computer. We were going to have it checked by a specialist 3rd party, but they said they cant as the engine computer has a built in immobiliser connection. This is news to me as my key has no battery or electronic device embedded into it.
Is it possible there is a built in immobiliser device in the key barrel? My mechanic had a peek at the lock barrel and did note two wires coming from the barrel which he wasnt sure what it was for. Could a faulty lock barrel be the source of my problems?
If the lock barrel was the problem it would get worse and eventually the car will not start at all. Sounds like a fuel pump or fuel pump relay problem. I am not sure if the 94-95's had a fuel pump relay or if its incorporated into the ecu. When you turn the key to position 2 it activates the fuel pump, the pump primes the system and if you still haven't started the car it cuts off and sort of goes into a wait mode. This is all controlled by the relay.
So look for whatever does the same function as the fuel pump relay did in the older W124's. That could be your culprit.
Hi Guys
Thanks for the tip on the fuel relay. I've changed that relay as well, but the problem still occurs.
Does anyone know what the long black box next to the ECU is. Some people have called it the Alarm Control Module and others the Ignition Control module in the forums. Could this be the problem? (by the way I don't have an alarm in me car - the aftermarket one was taken out by me)
Linear Mode
