HELP, ASAP! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lsmalley · #1 06-30-2010, 01:05 AM

car is a 1990 190E 2.6. when i turn the key everything turns on but the car won't start. i don't here a click or the engine even making an attempt to turn on. nothing. please help.

mbzman · #2 06-30-2010, 01:46 AM

Start off by checking the battery terminals and connections. If they are dirty then clean them and ensure that they are secure. My next check would be the battery to see if it is in healthy condition.

lsmalley · #3 06-30-2010, 02:18 AM

Battery is is about 1 year old from Mercedes-Benz. windows roll u, rdio plays, lights work. disconnected the battery and reconnected. still will not crank. i turn the key to the right and engine doesn't even budge only lights and everything else comes on

mpolli · #4 06-30-2010, 04:10 AM

Just a guess, but things like: neutral safety switch, security system, ignition switch...

Stretch · #5 06-30-2010, 04:20 AM

Do you have a working Alarm / immobilizer fitted?

lsmalley · #6 06-30-2010, 09:18 AM

what is a neutral safety switch? ignition switch? and security system immobilizer? where are each of these located?

TX76513 · #7 06-30-2010, 09:27 AM

Did you try moving shift to N then back to P? Could be as simple as transmission selector switch.

lsmalley · #8 06-30-2010, 09:31 AM

yes, moved to neutral then park. hey, what is a neutral safety switch and where is it located on my 1990 190E? prior to the car not starting i was fooling around with my transmission pan because it has a slow leak

TX76513 · #9 06-30-2010, 09:33 AM

Take a look at this thread on the forum

How Do I Test the Neutral Safety Switch?

Search is a very powerfull tool here.

I do not want in any way to insult your mechanical ability but; Have you validated that your battery is good (tested) and that your connections are solid? Saying your battery is just 1 year old doesn't hold much water and it a terrible thing to chase all sorts of circuits to find out after a day you have a bad battery.

Does your 190 have any outboard connections to the "+" terminal? Check them.

#10 06-30-2010, 10:03 AM

Use a DC voltmeter to see if it gets 12 Volts or maybe even as low as 9 to the big post on the starter motor. If it doesn't, use the voltmeter to see if it is getting 12 V to the starter solenoid.

If you're getting voltage to the solenoid, but not to the starter, the problem is the solenoid. If you're getting voltage to the starter and it won't turn, it's the starter.

If you're not getting votage to the starter, use the voltmeter ACROSS each connection to see if there is a voltage drop greater than a few tenths of a volt. Whichever connection is dropping several volts, including the solenoid contacts, is your culprit.

I did this kind of troubleshooting as a kid in my Dad's shop before I even ever heard of Ohm's Law. It's a very simple process.

lkchris · #11 06-30-2010, 12:20 PM

The switch that insures car doesn't start in D or R is obviously associated with the gear lever. It's NOT in the passenger compartment, however.

Hirnbeiss · #12 06-30-2010, 02:12 PM

NSS is mounted on the side of the tranny. Frequent failure item around 100K.

lsmalley · #13 06-30-2010, 03:03 PM

Ok, well I'm gonna go with the most likely problem, which is the neutral safety switch. Like I said, I was fooling around with the trans-pan because I had a leak and I know that there was the flat square box on the side of the transmission that I noticed was in the way so I will start with that first then go from there......

#14 06-30-2010, 03:40 PM

What do you mean that you are going to "go with the neutral safety switch?" I hope you don't mean that you're going to replace it to see if it is the problem!

The most costly way to solve problems such as this is to start throwing parts at it. Get a meter and do some troubleshooting. There is enough savvy on this site to walk you through it step by step.

Good luck,