Hi,

Is anyone familiar with the starter circuitry in the 606 turbo? I have an intermittent no-start condition which happens after I preglow the engine and turn the key to start - then nothing happens, no click, nothing. I am guessing could be one of the following:

1) Starter Solenoid (I have check the battery and wiring to the solenoid and connections and they are fine).

2) Key Switch

3) Neutral Safety Switch (which I have seen is a reed switch activated by magnet in the 722.6 tranny).

4) Starter Controller relay??? There must be a relay which engages and disengages the starter solenoid when the key is switched to the start position since the starter on these cars remains engaged until the engine starts.

I am inclined to believe it is 2,3 or 4 (I don't know where 4 is of if it is part of the overall "brain" of the car or not).

Can anybody shed any light on this? Of course if it were not intermittent it would be a snap to trace it but if it happens and I remove the key and try again it will usually start on the second or third try and then all is well again and it may not happen again for 30 more starts.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I have the same problem every now and again...very infrequent. I think it has something to do with the car's security system- the computerized electronic key and the car computer recognizing the key. 9 times out of 10 if I turn off the key, remove it from the ignition, then reinsert it, it starts fine the second time. Always 100% by the third try. I wouldn't waste your time or money trying to track this down unless this happens on a VERY regular- even daily basis.

J.G.

Hi Marty,

Have you checked the condition of your keyfob's battery?

Are its contacts clean?

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i

I hadn't really considered the key because the car pre-heats like normal....would the computer allow the car to pre-heat if it didn't recognize the key?

The batteries in my key are only a few months old, but I have another key I can try and see if it does it with that one too...thanks for the tip.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

My 98 E300 did this once in while as well. Same routine - the car preglows, the accessories come on, but no cranky on the starty. Pulling the key and trying again always did the trick.

Changing the battery won't help. The battery only powers the remote locking/unlocking functions. Starting the car is a separate thing. Gilly, I think, has posted some discussions on how the electronic key operates.

- JimY

I agree with the suggestion that your key is worn out.

This problem is not exclusive to diesel models, affecting all 1998 and newer models with the electronic key.

It happened to my mother's '99 E430, and the local Mercedes independent, MB Stars, explained that it is not an unusual problem.

When you insert the key, the car might not recognize that it is the key programmed for your car, so nothing happens.

If you have a second key, try it, and see if the problem goes away. It worked on my mother's car.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".