96 E320 starting problem

[h769821]

Someone please help. I am a thousand miles from home, and my wife called to say that the car wouldn't start.

Lights come on strong, so the battery is probably OK. She says there is no sound when ignition key is turned.

I think it could be as simple as an ignition lockout that sometimes happen when the remote is used with a door or trunk lid still open. I'll ask her too try locking and unlocking a couple of times tonight.

Could the starter relay be the next possible culprit? Could someone tell me where it is located so I can try to replace it when I get home this Thursday? Anything else to look for?

Thanks

[kowached]

This is based on experience with a 1992 400 E, so it may lead you no where, but it is worth a try. Try having your wife lock then unlock the car from the passenger side, then get in and try to start the car. With my experience the switch that arms/disarms the factory alarm was worn out in the drivers side key hole of the 400 E, but the switch in the door on the passenger side was fine, so unlocking the car from the passenger side would properly disarm the alarm. Of course being that you're 1000 miles from home this would be to simple and easy of a fix to actually work, good luck.

[Arthur Dalton]

Tell her to try Neutral.
Common for the Neutral safety switch to not start on Park, but OK in Neutral.
They are susceptical to water being down on the side of the tranny.
Give it a shot.

The points for both posistions are the same , but the cam is different. [ reason one will work independant of the other]

[mbdoc]

The electrical portion of the ignition switch will cause this problem & I have replaced many of them on this type of car!

[h769821]

Thanks all for replying!
The wife tried both locking & unlocking, and shift lever in neutral. Still nothing.
Guess I'll have to have it towed. Anything else to try before I take the leap?
Thanks.

[h769821]

Forgot to ask you M.B.DOC, that electrical portion, is it something I could replace myself without major work like removing the dashboard? If yes, could you tell me which part to buy, and how to do it? (I am quite handy with electrical & mechanical stuff).
Thanks

[mbdoc]

FIRST try turning car on-off 10 or 20 times, without trying to start. Possibly the ignition switch will allow the starter to operate.
The electrical portion of the ignition switch requires a special tool to remove the key tumbler.

The part number is 210-460-02-97 & has a list of $75.
should take 1 to 2 hrs to replace.

[pentoman]

Also, try turning the headlights on and see if they dim at all when you turn the key, if not it must be electrical problem
If so, could be battery.
If you jump-start the car, remember the Over Voltage Protection fuse can blow, so don't be surprised if you then get poor idle and stuttering when cold.

later,


Russ