I posted this over in the tech section too, but hope you guys can help me out. This morning my problem was i needed to remove and reinsert or jiggle the key to get the key to turn then the car would start.

Now, I still have to do that, but the car won't crank at all. The dash lights all light up, I wait for the glow plug light to go out and nothing. With no sound at all, I figure its not the battery, but I tried jumping it anyway, same problem.

The car's a 1998 E300, Any thoughts?

Thanks!

The Electrical portion of the Ignition Switch has little Plastic "Shoulders" that
Wear...and when they do the "Contacts" inside the Switch cease to function
properly.

Caveot: Assumes ALL Electrical Wiring (AND Grounds) are "Clean,Bright and Tight".
You'll be amazed at the DRAW a Starter initiates...AND just a little Corrosion
around terminals Prevents Starter engagement.

'Course 'Could be a Bad "Bendix" on the Starter itself...

'Time to whip out the old DMM and begins testing.

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

It's got 225,000 miles on it. I have a feeling its the switch like you say. Thanks for any help

My own experience with this issue led me to clean the key and the ignition slot for the key such that the infrared sensor at the tip of the key could communicate with the ignition system.

I also changed the battery in the key to make sure that the key was in good working order and had plenty of power.

The worn "contacts" mentioned in the earlier post never caught my attention.

Finally the key quit working altogether (no ignition, no lock/unlock), confirmed good battery, but the key just died. Had to buy a new key and that fixed the issues, although the ignition can still be obstinate from time to time.

I think that this is one of the most troublesome systems on the car.

__________________
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

Key battery is only there to lock/unlock the door.

Key is a responder tht is powered by the ing.....check battery voltage. Can do so using the CCU. Key on, hold REST for 5 secs, toggle using AUTO buttons to screen 24.

Make certain the beauty ring at the ign is tight......

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

So, it's not unlocking the column instantly when you insert the key?

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Sounds like the OP is getting the key to turn, but not getting any turn-over from the starter... after jiggling the key in the ignition switch.

My first, original key totally died. No crank and no lock/unlock. Had car towed home, grabbed other key out of the apartment and cranked and unlocked with no problem.

Bought new key when the second, original key started to flake out and asked the folks at home not to throw/drop the keys around anymore.

__________________
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

Just to close out this thread. It was the EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch). Had to have the dealer fix it - $871 in parts for the key and switch Ouch! and $188 in labor.

Holy ****** sht! Judas Priest on a pony! And a few other choice words...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Just what I didn't want to read! I'd rather it were just the fob (or whatever it's called). Does anyone happen to know any definitive tests to determine an EIS problem from a faulty fob problem, short of actually buying a new fob. My '99 E300 went out 12/26 with similar symptoms. Keyless entry worked originally, everything normal in glow plug position but then nothing happened when in start position. Now neither keyless entry or EIS working. EIS won't turn at all - or even make the usual noises. It did the same thing a couple of times 12/25 too but I managed to get it running. I'm pretty certain it's not a battery issue since there is plenty of power for the headlights, stereo etc. and both the vehicle battery and the fob batteries are less than six months old.