'94 E420 No Start
 

My '94 E420 quit on me yesterday. Heading home from work I glanced at the dash to see the indicator lights for the ABS and ASR both on. I'd driven about 2 miles and not sure if they'd been on since I left work. The car started up as usual as I began this trip. Not sure if this was a brain fart or not, but I though to myself, "OK, I'll just turn off the ingnition and this will re-cycle itself." MISTAKE. Car failed to start and I'm in the middle lane of 1st North by Seattle Center during rush hour. A local citizen (read: street drunk) helped me dock the beast (jeez, are these cars heavy!) at a parking meter.

Called home and got rescued and came back with jumper cables and that didn't do the deed. Call AAA this AM and the car is on it's way to a shop I've not done business with before. They may get to it today.

Any ideas on what's up here?

Thanks,

Don't you love it?
 

Don't you love it when the staff at the repair shop hit you with, "we've not seen this before"? This ain't Pat & Patty's Backyard Auto Care, but a reputable German automotive shop with about 20 years rep in the Seattle area.

AAA hooked the E420 over on Tuesday for some diagnosis and R&R work. Here're the details.

They began at the ignition switch and found voltage in "position 50" and then found the starter lock out switch smelling burnt and not operating. They then tested the starter lock out circuit and found the ground feed to the starter lock out relay not there. They then replaced/replaced connector X35-7 and we were operational. $557 plus tax.