1999 C280 - Would not start?

[bunner74]

I have a 1999 C280 Sport with just over 100,000 KMS on the clock. Last night I was out for a short drive, maybe 20 mins. I stopped to run into a store and when I came back she wouldn't start. I tried cranking her over 3 or 4 times and she would just turn for a few seconds but not start. After 3 or 4 tries she stopped turning all together (like a dead battery) but all of my electrical (radio, windows, lights) were still working. I ended up getting a boost from CAA. Drove home turned the car off 3 times and restarted fine.

Does this sound like the battery needs replacing? Should the dash light come on to tell you there is a problem with the battery? I bought the car used and the battery looks to be original. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

-j

[xvvvz]

If it is the original battery, and given your description of the events, the battery is probably the cause. Even if it isn't the battery, you need to replace it if it is the original after this much time. You are just living on borrowed time!

[Nelson Lago]

it kinda sounds like your alarm was activated... it happen to me once i accdently press the lock button on my key, when i was in the car and about 1 min later i tryed starting the car. It would crank and run for like 2 sec and then die

[bunner74]

Originally posted by Nelson Lago
it kinda sounds like your alarm was activated... it happen to me once i accdently press the lock button on my key, when i was in the car and about 1 min later i tryed starting the car. It would crank and run for like 2 sec and then die

Hmmm, never thought of that. So, if the alarm is activated wouldn't the horn be honking? The key was left in the ignition and my wife was in the car with the stereo on. I pulled out the key and waited for about 10 mins before trying to start her again (after about 3 tries). The battery was drained by this point cause she wouldn't even turn over.

[Cru328prod]

same thing kinda happened to my cuz's car, i just disconnected the batt. for like 10mins and it turned over fine.

[bunner74]

further diagnosis...

I started the car, drive 15 mins to the gym, shut off went inside for about and hour. Came out she started no problem. Drove 15 mins to the grocery store, ran in for 15 mins came out and she would NOT start. Tried 3 times, not luck...she just cycled but would not turn over. Batterty didn't die this time. I waited about 10 mins tried again this time she started.

So, it seem that when she gets shut off hot and started within 10-15 mins that when the problem occurs. Would this still be the battery?

[Cru328prod]

Originally posted by bunner74
further diagnosis...

I started the car, drive 15 mins to the gym, shut off went inside for about and hour. Came out she started no problem. Drove 15 mins to the grocery store, ran in for 15 mins came out and she would NOT start. Tried 3 times, not luck...she just cycled but would not turn over. Batterty didn't die this time. I waited about 10 mins tried again this time she started.

So, it seem that when she gets shut off hot and started within 10-15 mins that when the problem occurs. Would this still be the battery?


take the car to autozone, and have them do a test on the battery and att. If it comes out ok, it maybe your security system, have the key check out at the dealership

[xvvvz]

The fact you had an old battery then a jump start got you going made me suspect the battery. At this point, you need to scan for codes like CRU328 said. See if you get a code for something like the crank position sensor. It is really hard for anyone to diagnose much at this point. Get the codes.

[undercover]

this situation has happened to me to, although i took my central locking out, well the hydrolic locking system out, i just wanted to open one door at a time its my preference but anyways when i lock the boot and start the car, the car wouldnt turn over then when i unlocked the boot it turned over, i still havent found out what has happen, but i know it has something to do with the battery..

[OzC36]

this situation has happened to me to, although i took my central locking out, well the hydrolic locking system out, i just wanted to open one door at a time its my preference but anyways when i lock the boot and start the car, the car wouldnt turn over then when i unlocked the boot it turned over, i still havent found out what has happen, but i know it has something to do with the battery..

Undercover,

My wife was driving my sister's C180. Wife rings to tell me car won't start.

I drove to the shops to meet her and confirmed that car won't crank, but electrics are powered and seem to be strong.

I asked her to tell me the sequence of events. She says she parked normally and went shopping. She came back and put some stuff in the trunk (no central locking on this puppy). I check the trunk lock and found it was turned clockwise about 45/60 degrees passed locked position. Returned lock to centre position.

The car then cranked and started the engine normally. Some sort of interface or conflict with locking/engine start system?

What the heck!

[undercover]

Originally posted by OzC36
Undercover,

My wife was driving my sister's C180. Wife rings to tell me car won't start.

I drove to the shops to meet her and confirmed that car won't crank, but electrics are powered and seem to be strong.

I asked her to tell me the sequence of events. She says she parked normally and went shopping. She came back and put some stuff in the trunk (no central locking on this puppy). I check the trunk lock and found it was turned clockwise about 45/60 degrees passed locked position. Returned lock to centre position.

The car then cranked and started the engine normally. Some sort of interface or conflict with locking/engine start system?

What the heck!

holly shit! no way?? maybe the lock has something to do with the turning over of the car or maybe something to do with power going to the ignition?
but i know that if i open my boot i leave it open until i get to uni or where ever im going and then lock it,but if i open it then lock it then start, it wont turn over! soo wacked!

[Nelson Lago]

gotta love germen cars

[Proven Guilty]

Originally posted by Nelson Lago
gotta love germen cars

Why do you even post on this site?

[OzC36]

Additionally, I suspect that the lock when left in the "beyond locked" position was causing a slow drain that would discharge the battery.

[bunner74]

I posted this message on mercedesshop.com and the consensus was that the CPS (crank position sensor) was faulty. Quite a few owners have experienced similar problems in the past. I picked up a new unit from my dealer ($176 CAD) and installed it this evening. Seems to have cured the problem. Thanks for all of your feedback.

[undercover]

Originally posted by bunner74
I posted this message on mercedesshop.com and the consensus was that the CPS (crank position sensor) was faulty. Quite a few owners have experienced similar problems in the past. I picked up a new unit from my dealer ($176 CAD) and installed it this evening. Seems to have cured the problem. Thanks for all of your feedback.

more than happy to share what has happend :D hahha now i know what i have to fix in my car bhahha...where'd my money go
:( damn petrol prices!!! i want a diesel now :D hahha

[dubmercedes]

same thing happen to me alittle while back..

check your mass sensor.. that POS fails so often it aint even funny.. even though there's no CEL... i'll look into it..

secondly:

check your crank position sensor..

third:

check your fuel relay senor