i,m currently workin as a mechanic maintaing a fleet of vehicles used on post by the military. I have a mercedes sprinter van 311 cdi, year of production 2003, country of orgin Argentina, Vin # wdf9036723a908581. I'm not getting any power to the soloniod side of the starter when the key is turned to the start position, the van also has, a start error or error start, on the dash display i don't have and diagnostic equiptment or service manuals can anyone help with a starting point thanks for any assistance given Justin Reese Baghdad, Iraq

Hey Justin. Could be a neutral/clutch safety sw that is not closing or opening. Try holding the start position and moving the gear shifter,or clutch in and out. The sand could have got to it. Just a guess. be safe!

I was thinking the same thing. I've had run ins with the cable that leads from the tranny to parts unknown that controls the nuetral/park switch. On one rig, I fashioned a kill switch from that line cause it had been stolen once. I flip the switch, they try to hot wire it and the rig is in drive and nothing else. So sorry, scumbag thief.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

i checked the neutral safety switch and clutch switch their both OK. The dash display says error start or start error like it set a diagnostic code is there any way to manually clear the codes, i already tried unhooking the battery.

Hi,
I have a 2004 ML350 and I know little about the Sprinters except from what I see on my delivery guys trucks. I do know the key appears the same as my ML. On the ML when we get this error the key needs to be reprogrammed. Check the search function. It is as simple as turning the key to different positions in the ignition and pressing buttons on the remote.
Joe

Hi Justin,
I have WIS 5/2002 version. It has electrical schematics for Sprinter 903.672 Latin America model.
I don't know if 2003 model is the same as 2002. I could email you pdf files for starter, or anything you need. Just let me know, and your email address.
Regards, Mike

The "Start Error" message can mean there is a failure with the Drive Authorization System. Do you have access to a spare or different key?
Try that first, if you have a spare key. Try locking and unlocking the van several times as well.
You will most likely need a diagnostic scanner to retrieve DTC codes
and hopefully they will shed some light on where the fault lays.
Good luck.
Dr.D

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Dr.Diesel -
Shop Foreman
Master Guild Mercedes-Benz Technician.

Think the dealer is expensive? Do you know how much it costs to train a dealer tech? Or buy the required MB special tools to have on hand?

my email address is justin.reese@haliburton.com any scematics would be greatly appreciated. the darn van doesn.t have an obd II serial port all i have is a tech II and a snap-on motus neither one will pull codes out. Is ther any way to manually clear the codes. Thanks Justin Reese Baghdad, Iraq

i tried the spare key and the damn thing starts and runns fine. This van is used to transport food to transitional barricks for units leaving and coming in. Myself and about 1500 soldiers greatly appreciate all your help thank you very much Justin Reese Baghdad, Iraq