[scott_tns]

Hi, i'm new to these forums.
I am well aware that there are already topics about this problem but none of them have really offered me the answer i have been looking for.

The problem i have is this, when i put the key in and turn it the engine will not even turn over. I hear a click but then nothing. This is an intermitent problem and most of the time the 2nd or 3rd turn of the key starts it but over the last few months it has got worse resulting in running the battery too low to do anything at all (i was sat in the van and turned the key in excess of 50 times with no luck today).

I have heard that this could just be a case of getting the keys recoded but i have also heard they suffer with a problem on the immobiliser itself.

I canot start it at all now so i can't get it to my nearest Merc dealer to get it checked out.

thanx in advance for any help offered.

 

[walsi]

Hi ya , which vito have you got

Cheers Martin

 

[scott_tns]

it is a 52 plate 110 cdi

 

[walsi]

is it auto or manual, sorry forgot to ask

 

[Bharathwajan]

Check electrical relay switch

In SLKs there is a K-40 relay switch on the passenger side under the bonnet. Their solder is weak and tend to get a loose contact here and there. I had this problem on my SLK 230 and had to change the switch. Check that or something similar if you have one. It could also be an immobiliser issue.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[scott_tns]

manual

 

[walsi]

There is no lockout relay on the manual which was going to be my first thought, im just looking at the wiring diagram at the mo so will let you know what i find

 

[scott_tns]

cheers pal

 

[walsi]

Hi ya, looking through the wiring diagram the one thing it does show is that the immobiliser is wired through the glow plug relay and uses the glow plug light as an indicator that its doing its stuff. Have you noticed anything different with the glow plug light when it wont start as opposed to when it will. The other thing that is on my mind is a knackered starter or wiring fault to the starter. Do you know if it is the starter relay that is clicking as this would indicate a starter fault. Other than the the key recognition system there doesnt seem to be much else to the system that could go wrong or cause a lack of starter motor. I think that unless you can find something obvious wrong its going to need to go on a machine and see if that has logged any faults. Have you tried the old trick of disconnecting the battery overnight to see if this makes any difference. Sorry but thats the best i can come up with at the mo.

Cheers Martin

 

[scott_tns]

i havent noticed any difference in the glow plug light from when it does start to when it doesn't. Also the noise is not so much a clicking as it is just a single click and it sound like it is coming from the front of the van possibly under the bonnet. If the clicking from the relay you are refering to comes from under the passenger seat particularly when the battery is flat and will not turn over, it is not that type of click...if that makes sense.

To have the keys recoded do i have to take both the van and keys to a merc dealer or can i just take the keys?

 

[jonny rash]

It sounds to me like a problem with your starter motor rather than anything else.

The clicking from under the bonnet is probably the solenoid engaging.

 

[Strykollon]

It sounds to me like a problem with your starter motor rather than anything else.

The clicking from under the bonnet is probably the solenoid engaging.

- I agree.
Get a friend and let him turn the key while you tap ligtly with a hammer on the starter motor.

If it does not help you can create a short circiut over the big nuts on the solenoid on the starter. A little dangerous but an emergency solution.

I suppose you allready have checked the battery connections.

 

[walsi]

Hi ya, i agree with tha aswell, the click will be ore of a clunk when you are under the van and as said before it will be the slonoid engaging but the starter not turning, it could well be worth stripping and cleaning the starter and checking the brushes

Cheers Martin

 

[scott_tns]

Thanx for all the tips. I am going to have to wait till i have got a new battery for it as constantly trying to start it has flattened it and now needs replacing.
I will definately give all these things a try when the battery is replaced.

 

[scott_tns]

ok i need a little more help,
i am going to remove the starter motor but have noticed that it is very blocked in by various other bits. is there an easy way to get this out or am i going to have to start stripping a bunch of other bits off the engine?

 

[jonny rash]

Sorry. I meant to reply yesterday. It is a bit fiddly to get out but it comes out underneath the van. Try orienting the solenoid to the bottom of the starter.

If you have Air Con then you will need to move the condenser to one side. Other than that you shouldn't need to remove anything else (unless someone knows better). Just be glad it's not a Landrover defender

 

[scott_tns]

Bit of an update here.

I have now stripped and cleaned the starter motor - no luck
Chraged the orginal battery - this started the engine first time for the first day then afetr that nothing...
Changed the battery for a brand new one - also started the engine first time everytime on the first day but the next day i tried it...nothing.

Do you think it would be worth changing the starter motor for a brand new one (i don't trust re-con stuff much) or does anyone have any other ideas?

One other bit of info thyat might be useful is a few months ago while having the same problem, the constant starting attempt wore the battery down but despite the battery being low and only enough power to turn the starter over slowly it did still manage it so i now think there is nothing wrong with either the battery or the alternator. hope that bit of extra info is useful to you.

 

[Strykollon]

- Have you tried to shortcut the solenoid yet?
Have you opened the solenoid?

I guess the contacts in the solenoid are burnt. They handle a lot of amperes and get easily burnt if connected to long.
If the starter motor cranks the engine while you shorten you can be quite sure that there is no contact in the solenoid.
Perhaps you only have to change the solenoid.

 

[scott_tns]

when you put a short across the solenoid do you have to have the key in for this to work? i've never tried so im not sure.

 

[Strykollon]

If you want the engine to start you must have the key in starting position, not only "ignition on", to keep the piniong engaged in the starter ring gear i.e. its a two-man-job.
I think you can check the starter if it rotates at all, by shorting and with key out. You will then hear a sound like from an tired and old electric motor.