'94 c280 not starting until battery reset
 

I've got a '94 c280 and today (whilst away from the safety of the garage) the engine wouldn't start from the key, (although everything else worked.) until I unplugged the battery and reconnected it. It seems to be starting and running fine now. Is this a fault state? (like the "limp-home" mode?) Has anyone had this happen?

nextime that happens try locking and unlocking the car from the drivers door. see if it then starts

Would not Start or would not Crank over ???

Thanks for the replies! As to the locking/unlocking, I did try that to no avail.

The Start/Crank issue: all of the electrics, A/C, fans, Radio antenna, dash lights all worked as normal, but there was no action from the starter/engine, until the battery was disconnected and reconnected. Still a mystery to me.

did you try it from the trunk and passenger door as well? or just the drivers?

<<s no action from the starter/engine,>

So, we have NO CRANK condition. Not a NO START condition..this is important for diagnosis..
No Crank can be the Security system K38 relay that Carson is testing for you..but you may also have a bad Gear Selector sw ..[ NSS switch] I would like you to try to Crank the engine over using the N gear selection.... Instead of P...
If you car is Cdn version, it does not have the K38 relay feature...

Yep, it is a CDN car, no K38. It starts in N, (BTW it is an automatic trans) Bear in mind I can not replicate the problem.

Was that helpful?

May have an intermittent problem with the NSS switch..common.
Next time it does it, try N ..if it starts in N after a failure in P, then change the NSS
http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=21H0MN3YU23C1A8RZ8&year=1994&make=MB&model=C-280-001&category=J&part=Neutral+Safety+Switch

Does the car have Alarm System??

I believe it does, whatever was in there from the factory. I'll give that a shot when it next shows up. Many thanks for the prompt help Arthur.

<<I believe it does, whatever was in there from the factory.>>

If it does , it will have an Alarm-Warning blinking red LED on the console that is activated when you lock the car.. It is easiestly seen through the rear window at night, as it is a dim lamp....it may have been an option.

i have a 94 c280 and lately while driving the car cuts out or stalls. i have to go out lock the driverside door unlock it then start it up. there are times when that wont start and i have to repeat the process.

when i put the key all the way i notice the windows or radio do NOt work. i see the digital display on the radio but no sound.

any help is appreciated

See post # 3

would not start...it cranks a bit..but would not start.

the messed up thing is on a HILL or if you gas a bit the car would stall. and you have to UNLOCk and then LOCK and UNLOCK the door to start up the car..

Do a search on "OVP relay"
Common fault on that chassis