Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Why Won't My Car Start?

This article applies to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class w204 (2007-2014).

You count on your Mercedes-Benz to be there for you and start every time you crank over the ignition, but sometimes machines refuse to play along. A car that won't start is as good as dead, and not being able to drive isn't only inconvenient, but could also be dangerous. But with so much technology in modern Mercedes engines, what could make your car fail? Here is a guide listing the most common reasons why your car won't start. But if you don't feel too sure about your results, then you might want to visit a repair shop.

Step 1 – Check your battery

It could be dead and out of charge.

Sure, this one sounds like common sense, but 90% of cars that don't start is because the battery is dead. One of the best ways to tell if it's the battery or not is by listening to what the car does when you crank over the ignition. First, do any of the lights, radio, etc. turn on? Does the engine make a loud clicking sound? If the first question is yes, then it could be a battery with very low power left. If the second answer is also yes, then it also is the battery. The loud clicking sound means that the ignition system is being triggered on, but there is no power to crank the engine. Depending on the age and condition of the battery, you must replace or just jump start your battery.

If it turns out it's not the battery, then move to the next step.

(Related Article: How to Jump Start Your Car - MBWorld.org)

Step 2 – Check the steering lock

It could be faulty.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is equipped with many electronic components, and one of those is the steering lock module. What the steering lock does is it recognizes the key in the ignition, it decodes the safety parameters of the key, and then once it approves the key, it allows for the engine to crank over, so you can be on your way. It is somewhat of a reported problem that many C-Class cars have had issues with the steering lock. This job is better diagnosed and repaired at the dealer or repair shop due to its complexity.

If the steering lock is functioning correctly, move on to the next step.

Step 3 – Check the batteries in the remote

The batteries could be dead.

It may sound like the simplest thing, but if the batteries in your remote are dead, your key is as useless as our TV remote is when the batteries are also dead. The key fob contains a chip that sends an IR signal to lock and unlock the car, but also to verify the security settings to start the engine. If the key fob is dead and it can't transmit that information, then the car wont start. To replace the battery, just push the metal pin out of the fob and pull hard (but gentle) on it so the battery tray comes out. The upside is, the replacement batteries are inexpensive and you can do the work yourself.

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• Mercedes Benz Won't Start Discussion- MBWorld.org
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