NO CRANK AND NO DASHBOARD SHIFTER POSITION READOUT - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

unmasked · #1 08-30-2021, 11:36 PM

I've been stumped trying to troubleshoot my 2004 E320 4Matic wagon. It simply sat in the garage for about 5 months before I decided to try and start it, but it wouldn't crank. I haven't had any problems at all after purchasing (bought it second hand about 10 years ago) until now. Miles are low for its age (less than 90K). All fuses test good with a meter. Batteries are both OK since they were float charged the whole time. I did a lot of research to troubleshoot. First suspected the starter, but I was able to energize the starter relay coil and it cranked fine. Key turns on but still won't start while forcing the starter to crank as described. There are a few audible clicks with the key turned, but that's all. The relay coil is not energized by the key. Dashboard check initially says no malfunctions; if left with key on, after a few minutes it will change to give ABS and SRS fault indications. I have a cheap OBD scanner that says no faults. The only clue to the problem is that there is no readout of the shifter position on the dashboard. The console lights on the shifter itself do change to the correct letter indication as you move through the positions. I checked the schematics and see that the lights are independent and not the same signal the computer sees. Purchased a used shifter with same part number as the original, plugged it into the connectors that were going to the the original, and it didn't do anything different. Still no readout and no crank. For this model year, according to a vendor for a new ($600 +) replacement shifter, there is no programming required for this part. Also checked that the lockout signal gets to the transmission control module (it does). So, that's where I'm at. Any suggestions?

jay_bob · #2 09-02-2021, 10:28 AM

Sounds like the CAN bus is not communicating.

I would find someone with a MB specific scanner to read it. If your CAN bus is not communicating it will see the Central Gateway and not much else.

Check under the drivers side knee panel there is a gray box about the size of a pack of smokes under there, on the back side of the lid. Check for corrosion in those connectors.

My story, this issue conflated with a suspected failing alternator: W211 CAN Bus problems

unmasked · #3 09-03-2021, 05:37 PM

Thanks, Jay Bob. I appreciate someone finally replying. Don't know if it's lack of interest or if I tried everything anyone else could think of. I dropped the panel and there is a black (not gray) box that says Gateway on it. Is that the one?

jay_bob · #4 09-04-2021, 08:26 PM

Yes that is the Central Gateway module (ZGW). It is, believe it or not, the master computer for the whole car.

Mine was gray but it's entirely possible that yours could be black.

unmasked · #5 09-12-2021, 03:08 PM

I finally had a chance to check the black box. Pins looked squeaky clean but used contact cleaner on them anyway. Opened the box like you did; everything looked perfect. Checked continuity between pins and board traces; all good. Put it all back together and turned the key but no change, so the contacts don’t seem to be the problem. I probably need a decent scanner designed for the car. Any suggestions? From my own research the iCarsoft MBII, iCarsoft MBb v2.0 and Foxwell NT510 Elite Scanner for Mercedes seem to be highly rated. The Foxwell may even be programmable for other vehicles; I am checking on that.