"Start Error" on 1.7CDI, Please Help

timmothy · 23 Mar 2013 at 09:15

Hi All

I bought a 1998 Mercedes 1.7CDI last week from a private seller. I test drove it and all was well, I didn't use it till the next day and realised the battery was flat. Used my in car charger and tried starting the car, it then came up with this "Start Error".

I have done loads of reading and tried some of the tricks mentioned in this and other forums and nothing has worked. I don't know anyone in the Cornwall area with a Star Machine and don't know what I can do now.

I really don't want to have to scrap it and lose out on the money I spent on the car as generally its in great condition for its year.

Please can someone give me some advice on what I can do myself as I have a week off of work. Or let me know of someone in the Cornwall area that has a Star machine.

Thanks
Tim

andy_mk3 · 23 Mar 2013 at 09:21

What kind of charger did you use? By an 'in-car charger I can only assume you mean the type that plugs into the 12v socket in the car. If so then that will provide no-where near enough power to charge the battery from flat. You need a proper charger left on for a good 12 hours charging at a couple of amps.

timmothy · 23 Mar 2013 at 09:32

Hi Andy, yes it was one of those. I have since tried jump starting and then finally my Dad charged the battery overnight. The battery is fine and holding a charge, not sure why it died in the first place. Now I have this "Start Error" and the car will not even try and turn over.

*Moangroan* · 23 Mar 2013 at 09:53

Do you think its more immobilizer or electrrical related rather than mechanical.

Maybe have a look to see if there is a way to kind of reset the ecu....not wipe it lol....just get rid of all the crap is had learned....

Are u a member of the AA or your dad is covered (rather than your dads car). The AA man will al the very least scan it and it could well point to the problem if he cant fix it there and then.

andy_mk3 · 23 Mar 2013 at 09:59

I've had a quick look on a few Merc forums and most people cure it by replacing the battery. Even if the battery is showing good volts, it means nothing about the cranking amps.

Other options are a faulty key or faulty control module.

timmothy · 23 Mar 2013 at 10:01

I am a member of a breakdown company. From what I have read online it is a fault with the immobilizer. Also from what I have read the Star machine can sometimes reset the fault and that's why I was looking for someone or a garage with the kit.