Last week, my 2000 S500 with 67k miles wouldnt start. Had it towed to the independent and he said it was just a battery. Replaced the battery and they said that I also need a mass air flow sensor. Didnt say it was urgent. I picked up the car then, and did not have them do the mass air flow sensor, because I had to go to a funeral. Today, take the car out to my aunts house...it drives fine on the way there...go to start it in the 5degree weather and the thing wont start. There was a whirring noise in the motor when I put the key in though...sounded as if some fan or something was going...Could this be because of the mass air flow sensor? Now this thing is sitting outside in the freezing weather...What do I do???? What could it be??? Please help!!
Had the thing towed back to the shop....waiting on their guess...talked to the guy this morning and he didnt offer any suggestions...will keep you updated...
Don't think MAF makes noise, but I'd be interested in what you learn and have to do to get back to normal. My car has 64,500 miles on it and I want to be prepared.
BTW: I just replaced my MAF last week, but had no symptoms except the CEL had been on & off for the past six months.
You have a slow, constant electrical drain. It can be diagnosed easily with a multimeter. While your car is off, you lose electricity to the drain. The multimeter is a device that will show current flow from the battery whle the car is off. It should show a minimal drain (.01 volt or less) that would typically power your clock. Cold weather further taxes the probem because car batteries put out less cranking amps as the temps drop. You may also want to get your alternator checked, it may not be keeping up with the loads placed on the battery while driving ..ie: headlamps, heater, radio ,ect. Make certain your mechanic knows what values should be present while testing the car for drains, a good guess is not good enough.
Hope this helps.
PS... the mass air flow sensor (MAP) has nothing to do with your no start condition since your car starts outside of a low battery. It effects how your car idles and accelerates .. general engine performance. I also assume no lights are left on while the car is off .. interior and trunk.
Update: Just talked to the independent who has had the car for 4 business days....He thinks it is a problem with the key...Said it wouldnt start for him and he hit the unlock button twice and it started...Thinks the key and car are not always recognizing each other....I did get a new key about 4 months ago, but this problem didnt happen until recently....Does this sound familiar to anyone?
ended up being the key...needed to just put it in the car...turn to on..leave for 2 mins and then remove...car has been fine ever since...mechanic says that probs with the keys are common...once i let key and car communicate..problem was fixed!! only took two tows, one battery, and 10 days in shop!!
ended up being the key...needed to just put it in the car...turn to on..leave for 2 mins and then remove...car has been fine ever since...mechanic says that probs with the keys are common...once i let key and car communicate..problem was fixed!! only took two tows, one battery, and 10 days in shop!!
Bummmmmmmmmmer, but good to know. I have never had an issue w/ the key--knock on wood.
Thanks for the report back!
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