1998 C230 cold start

[JCE]

Our C230 has the ignition that is supposed to be started by turning the key clockwise briefly, and letting go of the key - the engine will usually start. Lately, on the first start of the day, the engine will crank briefly, then stop cranking without starting. Holding the key during startup doesn't make any difference. After 3-5 attempts, the engine will start with the momentary key procedure. The problem doesn't occur except at 5-10 day intervals, and only first thing in the morning. My tech couldn't replicate the problem, and there were no engine codes indicating a problem. When it did it this morning, there seemed to be a very faint buzzing from the dash during the attempts to start that weren't succesful, but not during the times that the engine started without problems.

Since my overall mpg and acceleration seem to have dropped slightly, I was worried that the MAS might be on the way out, but I am wondering if there isn't a more simple explanation, such as fuel pump relay or ??? (It had this same intermittent problem before the recent B service, when new plugs were installed, without noticable effect on the starting, acceleration, or mpg issues.

Any ideas would be appreciated, as it seems to be happening more frequently, but hasn't done it for my tech - even when he kept the car overnight.

[Gilly]

I seem to recall something about this from training quite awhile ago, something related to the flywheel and the tip start procedure.
I think it involves putting a real light coating of grease on the flywheel teeth (that the starter pinion meshes on).
It could also be a dirty crank angle sensor.
If you're dealing with an authorized shop, they should find something in the system about it. (In the technical info)

Gilly

[JCE]

Thanks, Gilly!

I'll pass this along to my tech and see what we find - of course it started just fine this morning.

[receptor]

I am having exactly the same problem with my 1998 E320.
Intermittent, not reproducible (of course!) at the dealership service dept. The engine cranks continously for ca. 10 secs then stops - no start. Also the weird buzzing in the dash afterwrds. But the mobile tech actually did observe it in my home garage (just before I had to tow it to the dealership!). He said it looked like low fuel pressure. They have tried replacing the fuel pujmp actuator - no effect on the problem. It has been sitting there again for the last 2 days - starting just fine. I am baffled, and apparently they are also.
At a loss.

If anyone reads this and has any ideas, pls email me at Lippiello@Targacept.com
Thx

[suginami]

Originally posted by receptor

If anyone reads this and has any ideas, pls email me at Lippiello@Targacept.com
Thx

Isn't it better to post any ideas on this thread?

That way we can all learn about problems and solutions on a public forum such as this one.