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03 C230 Won't Crank

1K views 10 replies 3 participants last post by  robcarratello 
#1 ·
Hello BenzWorld. I'm a longtime Honda Owner/ Enthusiast/ Mechanic and recently purchased an 03 C230 Kompressor. I bought it not running, expecting a fair amount of time and money to get it back on the road. Previous owner had experienced a loss of power at higher Rpm and decided to check Timing chain and tensioner. At some point, he realized he was in over his head and attempted to put it back together. The engine never started or ran since the disassembly. To my knowledge, it never actually cranked over either. When turning the key it makes a single clicking noise, like a small solenoid actuating. There is a Check Engine Light that corresponds to Camshaft Position Sensor. The "oil in connectors" recall was performed in 2009 @ 74k miles. Car currently has 134k miles. CAM adjustor solenoid and adapter harnesses were addressed/ installed. Other than spending a few hours/ day researching, I'm completely unfamiliar with this car. Any recommendations on the best/ most efficient course of action to get it running properly? My thoughts were to have the timing alignment checked. If it proves to be misaligned, check for internal damage. Barring any damage, properly install a new timing chain and tensioner and Camshaft Position Sensor. Making sure everything is aligned correctly. This will not be a DIY thing, as a friend of mine owns a local, independent shop. Although he's a very capable, professional mechanic, he is not a MB specialist. I'd like to be able to have a solid game plan at least for an efficient diagnosis. It's the 6sp Manual Transmission, for what it's worth. TIA for reading my novel of a first post.
 
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#2 ·
First check what is clicking, it could be the relay for the starter motor that is in a fuse box, or it could be the solenoid on the starter motor, that should be easy enough to tell where the click is coming from.

If it is the starter motor, the do check that you have 12 volt on the large terminal on the starter, if you have 12 volt then the fault will be the internal contacts within the starter, there should be 12 volt on the small terminal when the key is turned.

I know of 7 203 cars where the starter has failed this month.
 
#6 ·
Agreed, however I've not made it over to the car yet to confirm that is where the click is originating from. I have a sneaky suspicion it may be from the CPS actuator solenoid. Especially when you consider they were part of the recall. Mine was fixed 7 years and 60k miles ago. The car gets towed to the shop on the 31st. Does the timing chain/ CPS area not look like something is wrong or possibly even missing?
 

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#7 ·
We generally use "CPS" to mean "Crankshaft Position Sensor", which is on the back of the engine, on the bell housing, monitoring the flywheel. It has no solenoid. I assume you mean Camshaft Position Sensor? It has no solenoid, although the Camshaft Adjuster does use a solenoid to change its rotational angle. None of this would have anything to do with the engine not rotating when starting.
 
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