w210 won't start. Common issue? please advice
 

hey guys, i got a 98 e320, the car wont start.

the problem was intermittent when i first bought the car, didnt think anything of it. basically when i would go to turn the key, it wouldnt crank, all i would do is take the key out , put it back in, and it would start no problem..

Last night i went to go to the store , get in the car, put the key in, no crank. thought oh ok no problem, take the key out, put it back in still no go. sad to say the car has been sitting since.

the Key releases the steering wheel lock indicating that is reading the main chipset.

i know in BMW there is a EWS module that was an anti theft device that would act exactly the same when it would fail, and to disable the ews system it was a simple snip of a wire. is there such a thing here? as i fear it might be a costly repair. or perhaps my diagnosis based on german experience is wrong all together when it comes to MB ?

any insight would be greatly appreciated.


PS:
the battery is nearly a year old. holds charge no issues. the alternator is also fairly new. the starter wont turn over is what i mean when i say no start. it doesnt make a noise nothing, its simply not receiving a signal to start.
i'm leaning towards a electrical failure of some sort rather than a mechanical failure.

it ran great, came home, parked it, and it never started again.

There are a lot of expensive possibilities of what could be causing the no crank. You will likely spend a lot more throwing parts at it based off of internet hunches than if you have it properly diagnosed at a competent MB shop.

You can at least check for voltage at the starter when it's not cranking, to rule it out.

There are 4 computers involved in the operation of the starter.
The EIS sends signal to the fuel computer & that computer looks to the trans computer & the shifter to make sure they are both in PARK or neutral.

Anti-theft has NOTHING to do with starter operation.

You could go to the power supply relay in the e-box & try jumping the wire that goes to the starter.

thanks for the reply Doc. how do i jump it ? and is the relay next to the tcm ?

ive also been told that is a good chance the tcm is junk

Not to mention that any of the other modules on the CAN can be bringing the whole CAN down, screwing up the normal flow of info causing the no crank.

Even in the shop that can be a difficult diagnosis for trained techs.

I think you may be confusing the TCM with the shifter module (based in part on your thread at Benzworld). The TCM is under the hood and is the computer dedicated to managing the transmission (technically the Electronic Transmission Control Module). It's usually pretty rock-solid unless doused with ATF from a failed pilot bushing/spacer/adapter on the transmission, but even then it can often be cleaned (and the socket and harness) and it will work after the codes have been cleared from it.

The shifter module in the console could be sending garbage signals that indicate the car is not in park, and that is all the more likely if liquid has been spilled in the center console (great place for a cupholder, too, eh?).

Good luck.

I find that it just takes time:).

it was a bad tcm guys! thanks for all your help and input ! Lots of knowledge on this forum i freaking love it! Peachparts>benzworld