1995 E420 is not starting - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hi-Power · #1 03-11-2003, 11:07 PM

I need your help before towing my E420 to the shop. In a positive way of thinking I am lucky that my car is parked inside my garage, but I need some advise from all of you guys.

Battery is new, I am able to hear also that the fuel pump is working, transmission is in park. Electricity is coming to the starter and while turning the key to the ignition point all I can hear is a tic tac noise coming from inside the dashboard, or maybe is from the engine

Is there a relay that or any other electric component that I should check ?

Any input will be considered.

Hi-Power · #2 03-12-2003, 12:00 AM

My first guess was the battery, so I installed today a new one with with complete charge. My employee also owns a battery shop so I picked the best one today for free. I clean and brush the terminals to assure a good contact.

Still not starting

But thanks for the advise. Anyone else ?

MikeTangas · #3 03-12-2003, 12:36 AM

Ernesto,

Are you hearing a series of clicks or a single click? Also, have you tried to start with the gear selector in neutral?

Buena suerte.

Hi-Power · #4 03-12-2003, 12:55 AM

Thanks for jumping in Mike !

The noise is like a grandfather wristwatch, buy louder... tic tac tic tac tic tac

I tried on Neutral and nothing happened... I listen inside the engine bay and the tic tac noise is coming form the box behind the fuse box. I remove the lid and found 6 or 7 relays ? ( I do not know that exact term to define those electric parts ), two of them ( a green and a blue ) have a fuse inside. Both fuses are ok...

MikeTangas · #5 03-12-2003, 10:38 PM

Sounds like the sound a dead/dying battery makes, but you changed the battery. Clean the battery cable connections to the battery then clean the attachment points, especially the ground lead (should be on the engine block, not sure where on your car - follow the cable). Could likely be a build up of corrosion preventing the electrical power from making the circuit.

Larry Delor · #6 03-12-2003, 11:08 PM

I haven't looked to see where the starter is at on mine, but if you can get to it, make sure the connections there are good. If need be, pour a like Coke over it. It can chew through a little corrosion (although your connecters get sticky - not sure if Diet Coke works)

You did say you are getting 12 volts to the starter, didn't you?

-Larry

renyf1 · #7 03-13-2003, 11:50 AM

I had that sound from my car a few months ago...dead battery

but since u changed urs i don' t know if its the same thing

this is what my car would do)
-first time u start it up it would hesitate alot then finally crank and start up fine

-when it died....when i went to start it...it would just make a tic tic tic sound and nothing happened

good luck

the E420 has 1 battery in the trunk correct?

Glen · #8 03-13-2003, 11:57 AM

Ernesto,
Since the battery is new and charged, I agree with Mike...there's probably a corroded connection somewhere in the circuit. If that's not it, then it's possible the starter/solenoid is failing.

Good luck!