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

__________________
1967 250 S
1967 280SE
1968 250S
1971 280 SE
1973 220
1974 280 S
1975 450 SEL
1976 220 D
1979 300SD
1983 300 SD
1985 230 TE euro
1986 280SL
1986 500 SEL euro
1986 190E 2.3
1990 300 SE
2003 C230 K
2004 C230 K
1987 560SEL
1987 300SDL now in canada
2005 C230
1998 C43 AMG Sold to DON
1993 190E 2.6
300TD Former daily driver Totaled
current:
R320 CDI
Ram 2500 Cummins

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?

__________________
1967 250 S
1967 280SE
1968 250S
1971 280 SE
1973 220
1974 280 S
1975 450 SEL
1976 220 D
1979 300SD
1983 300 SD
1985 230 TE euro
1986 280SL
1986 500 SEL euro
1986 190E 2.3
1990 300 SE
2003 C230 K
2004 C230 K
1987 560SEL
1987 300SDL now in canada
2005 C230
1998 C43 AMG Sold to DON
1993 190E 2.6
300TD Former daily driver Totaled
current:
R320 CDI
Ram 2500 Cummins

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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.

<>

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