[lupoelsker]

Sometimes car will start, and shut off again. Cold or hot.

Second time it normally starts right up, without removing the key.
This started after I got a new key, and it now does it with both keys.

Took it back to the dealer after I got the new key, gave them both keys, and the service manager tested both keys, and said it did it with him.
Never got to the tech, and he said they "think" it might be the switch going bad. ($715, parts and labor.) Loaner, and car wash included.

Told me to make an appointment if it gets worse.?

I have a new MAF and CPS.

Is this key recognition, or something else new.?

I searched for similar problems here, but none seem to match mine exactly.

Tested for codes each time this happened. NO codes.

Today it took 3 attempts to start it, without removing the key. Car was ice cold. No codes.

Drove around, about 50 miles total, and started up right away each time I shut it off and started back up

Chimes please.!!!

 

[ddaddy]

If it starts don't think it's the keys. Can you give it gas and prevent it from shutting off? And what MAF did you use?

 

[Kajtek1]

Digital systems are hard to troubleshoot and if Star Diagnosis at dealer did not pinpoint it, it can be a nightmare to find intermittent problem.
That beside the issue how qualified was SD technician.
The symptoms do remind me keys issues I had in the past. New chrome key do have glitches on W210, but usually I have to remove/reinsert the key.
Starting and dying 2 seconds later is exact symptom I had on ML with blade key. The blade would turn the ignition, but key recognition would kill it instantly.
I do not know electronics too well, but I do know that if you did pay for diagnosis and you did not got diagnosis, somebody stole your money.

 

[Musikmann]

Possibly the ignition switch but you didn't say they hooked it to the Star so that is only an educated guess by the service manager. Before replacing the switch, and if you trust the dealer, I would pay them the ~$100 for a full diagnostic evaluation.

 

[Scuddog]

Same issue... have had it now for over 5 years. Sometimes it will happen 3-4 times in a day.. hot or cold. Other times it will not happen for a week or more. I have to pull the newer chrome style key out of the ignition to make it work. I've had it checked out... no codes at all.. (sun sensor be damned!) I only have one key now... and I can't remember if it did this with the old key before it crapped out on me. It could be key related but I'm leaning towards the ignition switch. A few on this forum have chimed in that it could be the CPS which I have already replaced with no change in car's behavior.

I live with it. It is frustrating especially when it happens 2 or three times in a row. However, it is nothing that makes me nervous. I can't justify having the ignition system replaced to fix this. It's one of the two "things" that will eventually make my sled tough to sell. The other is the occasional "slamming" into drive from neutral/park/reverse. I simply drop it into neutral for a second or two then it slides back into 1st without incident and I'm on my way. Conductor plate, plug and 3 drain and fills did nothing to alleviate this annoyance. The tranny issue has been ongoing for about 7 years now. This issue pops up even more infrequently than the start/die routine. Neither of these issues makes me think that my car will let me down, however a prospective buyer will frown for sure.

Unless the issue is happening all of the time, I'd live with it. If you have the money, chase it down and please let us all know what it was and how to fix it. Good luck and happy motoring!

 

[Fine Business]

.
..
... I HATE COMPUTERS! *

How many wires go to the ignition switch?

How hard would it be to hotwire a toggle switch and a start button !?





*Disclaimer
This from someone who has spent 35 years as an IT engineer
and has been "into computers" since the UNIVAC I.

 

[lupoelsker]

Update

Thanks for all the chimes guys.

I have NOT paid for a Star diagnosis, and the service manager just took a guess. It never got into the dealer shop the day I was there. Tech was too busy to take a look at it.

Used Bosch parts from Autohaus. MAF and CPS.

It is totally intermittent, and sometimes not at all.
The fact that it started right after new key may, or may not, be a coincidence.

I think you are all right, and I may just live with it.
My fuel filter is overdue, and what about the K40 fuel pump relay. Could they be involved here at all.?

I am going to alternate keys for a while, and see if the frequency changes.
When it dies, it happens so quickly you don't even get a chance to hit the gas. It doesn't rev up, just dies.

 

[lupoelsker]

Old thread, same problem.!!

Once in a while, anytime, hot or cold, the car will start, and die immediately.

It normally starts on the second attempt, but sometimes it takes three times.
Key does not have to be removed, to start it.

I am hesitant to have the ignition switch replaced, as I have read other posts that stated replacing the ignition switch did not solve the problem.

Just wondering if there are any new suggestions on this one.

Have new key, and it does this ONLY with the new key.

Just hate intermittent failures.
Would be better if it would just die, and stay dead. Easier to fix.

 

[Kajtek1]

Ignition switch on W210 of this age is about the car value as Tom already reported.
Observe the red LED on the radio. It should go off when the key is recognized.

 

[lupoelsker]

Ignition switch on W210 of this age is about the car value as Tom already reported.
Observe the red LED on the radio. It should go off when the key is recognized.

That is a good point. Unfortunately I have an aftermarket radio.
Dealer wants about $700 parts and labor, to replace switch.

I just don't trust the dealer here, they will do their best to sell me everything.

Maybe its time for a dealer star diagnosis, and see what they come up with.

 

[lupoelsker]

Solved

After chasing down this problem for 5 months, the dealer, after hooking it up to the Star system, have decided that my new chrome key is BAD, and is the cause of this issue. Nothing wrong with the ignition switch.

They have ordered another key, and will sync it to the key rack, when it arrives. (6 slots max available in key rack)

They removed ALL keys from the rack, except my old key, which now works just fine.

Back to starting, and running, like a Mercedes Benz should.

Cost of diagnosis, new key, sync to rack, and car wash......$0

 

[lupoelsker]

Second new key.

My replacement key arrived at the dealer. This key is to replace the first new key that was BAD.
They called, and wanted the car.
I told them I want the key, and don't care about the programming, sync thing.
The dealer is 70 miles from me.

They sent a driver with a loaner to my house to collect my car.
Took my car to the dealer and now I await for its return.

All of this is costing me nothing, and they are going to fill my car with gas as well.
I will post feedback when my car returns. Yes, they are bringing it back to my house.

They have botched the whole handling of my key situation, from day one, and
I can only presume that this is their way of making it right.

I have asked the service manager for a report when they are done.
Should have my car back by the end of today.

 

[Kajtek1]

Sounds like your dealer is trying to make up for the bad situation.
Request printout showing how many slots on racks have been disabled. Probably not crucial in case you'd like to sell the car, but I recall a post from W163 section when someone bought used car and all available slots (I remember like 36) were already taken.
Getting extra key would require whole switch/computer replacement for about $3600

 

[lupoelsker]

Not solved

I got my car back, and right after the dealer driver left with the loaner, I went to start it with the new key, and it died immediately after start.
Died again with second attempt.
Started and stayed running with third attempt.
Second new key, problem not solved.???
I give up..:surrender::surrender::surrender:

 

[Kajtek1]

Should not give the loaner key before testing
Did you talk to SA about it?

 

[lupoelsker]

Should not give the loaner key before testing
Did you talk to SA about it?

My bad.
Unfortunately the driver had left, and my car was outside.
When I started it to put it in the garage it died, twice.
Contacted the service manager right away.
He was speechless.!!!

Now he is going to contact MBUSA, because he has NO answers for me.
He will contact me on Monday.

This is now beyond ridiculous, and I will keep you posted

 

[Gregissupreme]

This same thing happens to me sometimes, and it started just a few months ago. Since it does not show up on the diagnostics some mechanics were telling me that it could be the fuel pump. As that is one of the few things that does not show up in a diagnostics test. I am not completely sure, but it is a guess I will be getting mine replaced in the next month to check if that is the problem.

 

[lupoelsker]

This same thing happens to me sometimes, and it started just a few months ago. Since it does not show up on the diagnostics some mechanics were telling me that it could be the fuel pump. As that is one of the few things that does not show up in a diagnostics test. I am not completely sure, but it is a guess I will be getting mine replaced in the next month to check if that is the problem.

Thanks for sharing that, makes me feel I am not crazy.
You are right, nothing shows up on the dealer Star diagnostics.
I have replaced the MAF, CPS and fuel filter but not the pump. Please let us know if the pump solves your problem.
In my case it does not happen with the old, original key, but only with the new chrome key.???
My dealer just can't fix it and they have no answers. Have made 8 trips to the dealer over one problem, and still not solved.

There are now 3 of us who have this problem, hopefully we can solve it.

 

[Gregissupreme]

I don't think it could be the key, even thought the new keys have a little bit smaller sensor on the front. I've had the same key for a while and it just randomly started happening to me a few months back. We were thinking the fuel pump because it hasn't showed a problem in diagnostics and if there is a problem with it; it could not be pumping enough fuel in the engine to start it, and the second time you start it since there is already fuel in it it starts up. So I will check if this is the problem I should be going to check next month when I get back home.

 

[television]

I am deeply into these things in the UK and never in my life have I ever heard of a key doing this, once the key is excepted and it turns, thats the end of the key doing its job. The EIS switch failing yes an plenty of them.