SL500 Won't start

[ctaylor738]

You should be happy that you don't have my problem, because it means if the car is locked with the IR and the IR fails, then the car won't start, since unlocking the door won't tell the RCL to unlock the ignition. Then, as Bob says, the engine will turn and the red and green lights on the mirror flash, but no start. It is a pain if an attendant parks the car.

Sorryt to hijack the thread, but I actually think that the problem is in N54 itself. The door switch will not unlock the trunk, and the trunk switch will not unlock the doors. Neither will unlock the starting system. An additional problem is finding N54. Alldata and Starfinder say it's in the trunk - NOT. My favorite shop says its in the passenger footwell. Another says to look by the steering column.

[tomkears]

I have a 95 SL320 and I have had the same thing happen; the door did not lock (maybe lack of vacuum) opened the car , went to start it and nothing. Moved the shifter,-nothing, went to look under the hood and clicked the remote by the door just to check and it flashed green (was in the locked mode) went back into the car and it started right up.

[hoodfishin]

Believe it or not, it was the 8 volt fuse in the trunk fuse compartment, the fuse that controls the auto door lock, the security sytem, and even the antenna motor.....I checked that little fuse, it was bad, put in a new one, couldn't believe the car started right off, what a relief!!!!!
Thanks for all your replies and the help you offered.
Best regards SL folks!
Go Dawgs!
hoodfishin
Athens, Ga.

[lynns]

Originally Posted by hoodfishin

Believe it or not, it was the 8 volt fuse in the trunk fuse compartment, the fuse that controls the auto door lock, the security sytem, and even the antenna motor

After reading this thread over again it appears as though NONE of us suggested that you check your fuses. You made a smart move by starting with the basics. 'Always check the fuses first.' In this case it makes sense that if the 'security system' wasn't getting any juice then I believe the car is designed not to start.

BTW, I'm sure you replaced the old fuse with a 10 amp not 8 volt fuse. See attached JPG

Thanks for getting back to us with your success.

[TimPrr]

I have a 1994 E320 that was built in early 1994. All of a sudden, the central lock didn't work, the alarm didn't work, the express window didn't work, the door lock window closure didn't work and the starter wouldn't make a sound. Battery is new, starter was removed and verified good. I can start the car with a jumper wire from +12V to the starter solinoid when the ignition key is turned "On". Does this mean the lockout relay needs to be replaced?

[kickstarter69]

I had the same problem with mine-stopped for gas, went to start and nada.
All dash lights worked but when you turn the key to start nothing happened.

Turned out to be the starter fuse under the hood.

[tecqboy]

There's a "starter fuse"? Where is it? What's the amp rating?

[bobterry99]

He's probably referring to the fuse for the anti-theft starter lockout relay, K38.

[99MerSL500]

Where is K38? For that matter, where is N54?

[johnflight1]

K38 the starter lockout relay is inside the car under the console fwd of the AB crash sensor looks like you have to remove the whole center console!!!
N54 the RCL control module is in the trunk on the passenger side by the fuel filler pipe you have to remove the interior trunk panel on the right side

[oldsinner111]

if the people that are still around in this dicussiion,I'd like them to put more input in.
I have a 1999 s320,sometimes my starter won't work but if I hold key at start posistion for over two minutes it starts.I've heard it might be the K38 relay which on a 99 is behind engine fuse box. Is this true