my SLK doesn't want to start!!!

SuzaFan · 08-16-2008

So,
Everything was ok and then, after I tried to leave fuel station, my SLK 350 (2004) didn't want to start...
I have electricity, everything is ok, but when I turn the key to igniton, it does - nothing. I succeeded to start the car by pushing it (2 men pushed me and I shifted to 2nd gear (I have a 6 spd manual) , and it started...)
Before that, I tried to disconnect the battery - didn't help. It came on my mind that maybe the fuel is wrong - but it started by pushing the car...
I have to say that I am getting the message - ESP deffective, tyre pressure monitoring not active from time to time, and I have 990 km to service D (48.000 km on the car). I was waiting for that service to report that ESP error...as it goes off, than again on...
So, after I started a car, I drove near home, to a slope, and then switched it off and tride to start it again - it started normally.
Then, I came home, took the key out of the car, put it back in, tried to start it, it won't start again...I will have to push it...
WHAT IS GOING ON???

DansSlk · 08-16-2008

Alternator or starter probably

slk55er · 08-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

Alternator or starter probably

Or, possibly, the ignition switch.

DansSlk · 08-16-2008

Nah its not switched like an older car, if the switch fails its just totally dead electrically.

Sounds like the battery is discharging faster than its charging or there is some leak on an engine circuit and systems shut down to protect themselves.

**jbanks15** · 08-16-2008

have you replaced the battery since you had it? here in florida, i go through a battery every 2 years like clockwork and they replace it under warranty.

**Dolebludger** · 08-16-2008

With a problem like this, my experience has been that it's just got to be a "short" in the battery, or a bad battery connection. Were I you, I would pull the battery and take it somewhere for a check-up. We have places near my home that do this for free. If the battery checks out and charges up, the next step I'd take would be to clean my battery connectors with a round wire brush made for this purpose, and try it out. I always like to start with the cheap fixes first!

If this does not solve the problem, then you most probably have an electrical problem embedded deeply within the electrical bowels on your Mercedes -- which will require a trip to the dealer or other MB shop.

I hope the cheap fixes work!

SuzaFan · 08-17-2008

I haven't replaced the battery yet, it is the original one...I don't think the battery is a problem, when I enter that hidden menu, it says 12.2, 12.1 V...and doesn't SLK have some warnings for low voltage?? I have to say I was really dissapointed in SLK and Mercedes yesterday generally... I had to push the car to start it just like I had a 20 year old Dacia...
I'll try to fully charge the battery with the charger, maybe that will work...If this helps, I am getting the new battery tomorrow...

DansSlk · 08-17-2008

When does it say 12.2 / 12.1? Is that with the engine running or with the engine off? The SLK only displays a low voltage warning if you have COMAND otherwise things just start turning off.

If that is the voltage showing with the engine running then the alternator is failing, if its with the engine off it means low battery. You need to test it with the engine running really, 13/14V is normal with it running.

**Gabus** · 08-17-2008

Hi.
If you have 12.2V when the motor runs it's way to low. It should be around 14V.....

**jbanks15** · 08-17-2008

And the answer is........ The suspense is too great!

SuzaFan · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

When does it say 12.2 / 12.1? Is that with the engine running or with the engine off? The SLK only displays a low voltage warning if you have COMAND otherwise things just start turning off.

If that is the voltage showing with the engine running then the alternator is failing, if its with the engine off it means low battery. You need to test it with the engine running really, 13/14V is normal with it running.

It says around 12 V when the contact is on, when the engine is running it is more then 13V...
I do have a COMAND...and I haven't seen any warnings...
Today, the car started normally few times, I tried to discharge the battery a bit, by opening/closing the roof, but it started normally every time...
I am charging the battery now and the charger is showing 6 Amp...I really don't know what to expect...

**jbanks15** · 08-17-2008

buy a new battery. you said this was the original one. have you unscrewed the fill holes and looked inside to see how low the water level is? on my old 05 slk 350 i checked it weekly after the first one died and was amazed how low the cells got.

DansSlk · 08-17-2008

If the battery voltage is above 13 when the engine is running then thats not the reason for the ESP errors and if you can run the roof a few times with the engine off and it still started the battery can't be that bad.

I agree about checking the fluid levels and topping them up if need be, if you get yourself an intelligent charger then with good fluid levels in your battery leave it on for a full day to charge. See how the car is after that but it's sounding less like the battery.

**jbanks15** · 08-17-2008

dan, is it possible for a battery to be alright sometimes and act weird another other than corroded posts?

DansSlk · 08-17-2008

Sorry mate you've lost me on that one.

Are you asking can changes happen in a battery that will make it un-reliable but without the cause being corrosion? The answer to that one is yes.

**Dolebludger** · 08-17-2008

While it's not common, car batteries can develop internal "short circuits" that can cause them to work at times and fail at others. Also, perhaps the most common cause I know of for your problem is poor connection of the battery cables to the battery, or perhaps a short circuit in the cables themselves.

**Zeiser50** · 08-17-2008

What about starter and its brush (maybe stucked?).
I had it previously on an other car. If it appears (no start), some light shock on the starter and the brush may be ok.

**WhiteRabbit** · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeiser50

What about starter and its brush (maybe stucked?).
I had it previously on an other car. If it appears (no start), some light shock on the starter and the brush may be ok.

Back in the day with 1960s British sports cars it was quite commom to carry a hammer to smack the starter with when the car would not turn over.

**Duo-Art** · 08-17-2008

It can also be the neutral switch. On an automatic transmission car, you must be in park or neutral for the starter to engage. I'm not sure how they accomplish that on a car with a manual transmission or if there even is some sort of switch either on the gear shift or clutch.

08-16-2008	#1 (permalink)
SuzaFan Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Croatia Vehicle: SLK 350 6M + SKN chip tuning & K&N air filters Other Toys: Motorcycles Posts: 143 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	my SLK doesn't want to start!!! So, Everything was ok and then, after I tried to leave fuel station, my SLK 350 (2004) didn't want to start... I have electricity, everything is ok, but when I turn the key to igniton, it does - nothing. I succeeded to start the car by pushing it (2 men pushed me and I shifted to 2nd gear (I have a 6 spd manual) , and it started...) Before that, I tried to disconnect the battery - didn't help. It came on my mind that maybe the fuel is wrong - but it started by pushing the car... I have to say that I am getting the message - ESP deffective, tyre pressure monitoring not active from time to time, and I have 990 km to service D (48.000 km on the car). I was waiting for that service to report that ESP error...as it goes off, than again on... So, after I started a car, I drove near home, to a slope, and then switched it off and tride to start it again - it started normally. Then, I came home, took the key out of the car, put it back in, tried to start it, it won't start again...I will have to push it... WHAT IS GOING ON???

08-16-2008	#2 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Alternator or starter probably __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-16-2008	#4 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Nah its not switched like an older car, if the switch fails its just totally dead electrically. Sounds like the battery is discharging faster than its charging or there is some leak on an engine circuit and systems shut down to protect themselves. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-16-2008	#5 (permalink)
jbanks15 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Valrico, Florida Vehicle: 2009 SLK 55 AMG Posts: 684 Country: Thanks: 8 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	have you replaced the battery since you had it? here in florida, i go through a battery every 2 years like clockwork and they replace it under warranty. __________________ Jeff 2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages Clearshield Protective Film OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen Eurolight Clear Side Markers Smarttop version 3.22 Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works)

08-16-2008	#6 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 546 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	With a problem like this, my experience has been that it's just got to be a "short" in the battery, or a bad battery connection. Were I you, I would pull the battery and take it somewhere for a check-up. We have places near my home that do this for free. If the battery checks out and charges up, the next step I'd take would be to clean my battery connectors with a round wire brush made for this purpose, and try it out. I always like to start with the cheap fixes first! If this does not solve the problem, then you most probably have an electrical problem embedded deeply within the electrical bowels on your Mercedes -- which will require a trip to the dealer or other MB shop. I hope the cheap fixes work! __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

08-17-2008	#7 (permalink)
SuzaFan Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Croatia Vehicle: SLK 350 6M + SKN chip tuning & K&N air filters Other Toys: Motorcycles Posts: 143 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I haven't replaced the battery yet, it is the original one...I don't think the battery is a problem, when I enter that hidden menu, it says 12.2, 12.1 V...and doesn't SLK have some warnings for low voltage?? I have to say I was really dissapointed in SLK and Mercedes yesterday generally... I had to push the car to start it just like I had a 20 year old Dacia... I'll try to fully charge the battery with the charger, maybe that will work...If this helps, I am getting the new battery tomorrow...

08-17-2008	#8 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	When does it say 12.2 / 12.1? Is that with the engine running or with the engine off? The SLK only displays a low voltage warning if you have COMAND otherwise things just start turning off. If that is the voltage showing with the engine running then the alternator is failing, if its with the engine off it means low battery. You need to test it with the engine running really, 13/14V is normal with it running. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-17-2008	#9 (permalink)
Gabus Elite SLK World Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Søgne Vehicle: 96 SLK 230K Other Toys: Volvo L3314N Posts: 427 Country: Thanks: 17 Thanked 62 Times in 43 Posts	Hi. If you have 12.2V when the motor runs it's way to low. It should be around 14V..... __________________ Gabus The Rolls Royce is the Mercedes amongst cars To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-17-2008	#10 (permalink)
jbanks15 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Valrico, Florida Vehicle: 2009 SLK 55 AMG Posts: 684 Country: Thanks: 8 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	And the answer is........ The suspense is too great! __________________ Jeff 2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages Clearshield Protective Film OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen Eurolight Clear Side Markers Smarttop version 3.22 Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works)

08-17-2008	#12 (permalink)
jbanks15 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Valrico, Florida Vehicle: 2009 SLK 55 AMG Posts: 684 Country: Thanks: 8 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	buy a new battery. you said this was the original one. have you unscrewed the fill holes and looked inside to see how low the water level is? on my old 05 slk 350 i checked it weekly after the first one died and was amazed how low the cells got. __________________ Jeff 2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages Clearshield Protective Film OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen Eurolight Clear Side Markers Smarttop version 3.22 Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works)

08-17-2008	#13 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	If the battery voltage is above 13 when the engine is running then thats not the reason for the ESP errors and if you can run the roof a few times with the engine off and it still started the battery can't be that bad. I agree about checking the fluid levels and topping them up if need be, if you get yourself an intelligent charger then with good fluid levels in your battery leave it on for a full day to charge. See how the car is after that but it's sounding less like the battery. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-17-2008	#14 (permalink)
jbanks15 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Valrico, Florida Vehicle: 2009 SLK 55 AMG Posts: 684 Country: Thanks: 8 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	dan, is it possible for a battery to be alright sometimes and act weird another other than corroded posts? __________________ Jeff 2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages Clearshield Protective Film OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen Eurolight Clear Side Markers Smarttop version 3.22 Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works)

08-17-2008	#15 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Sorry mate you've lost me on that one. Are you asking can changes happen in a battery that will make it un-reliable but without the cause being corrosion? The answer to that one is yes. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-17-2008	#16 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 546 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	While it's not common, car batteries can develop internal "short circuits" that can cause them to work at times and fail at others. Also, perhaps the most common cause I know of for your problem is poor connection of the battery cables to the battery, or perhaps a short circuit in the cables themselves. __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

08-17-2008	#17 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 506 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	What about starter and its brush (maybe stucked?). I had it previously on an other car. If it appears (no start), some light shock on the starter and the brush may be ok. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-

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08-17-2008	#19 (permalink)
Duo-Art Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 544 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	It can also be the neutral switch. On an automatic transmission car, you must be in park or neutral for the starter to engage. I'm not sure how they accomplish that on a car with a manual transmission or if there even is some sort of switch either on the gear shift or clutch.