Starting problems

captdanerie · 06-16-2016, 01:34 PM

I went to start the motorhome this morning and it wouldn't start. I tried jumping it, checked the fuses, ran the slide in and out and the awning in and out, and even had a local guy (sent by Mercedes Benz) come out and try starting it. We even removed the floor covering on the drivers side and tried directly starting the battery. No luck. It acts like there is some sort of limit switch that is not made. I am having it towed to a Mercedes shop in Ohio later this afternoon, but I was wondering if anyone on this forum had any similar problems with starting. I just drove it last week and camped for three days and drove it home and parked it.

**bclemens** · 06-16-2016, 02:48 PM

I recall a customer having an issue just like that. I think it had something to do with that steering wheel control and/or shifter. It failed and so the vehicle always thought it was in gear and would not start. Although do you get ACC or anything on the dash?

For some reason I thought there was some big 50 amp fuse somewhere as well, but maybe I'm thinking Promaster.

captdanerie · 06-16-2016, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the reply! The motorhome is now being towed to a Mercedes Benz facility in Ohio.

JLeising · 06-17-2016, 04:23 PM

Several reported a blown fuse - #21? - caused the starter to not function. As I remember, Mercedes told one member the fuse installed was the wrong size - stretching my memory, but I think the installed fuse was 20 amp and per this Mercedes tech should have been 25 amp. Try searching the Solera forum.

JLeising · 06-17-2016, 04:51 PM

Here is one of the threads:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...art-62553.html
Fuse #23, not #21 - guess my memory is slipping...

Still Kickin · 06-17-2016, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captdanerie

I went to start the motorhome this morning and it wouldn't start. I tried jumping it, checked the fuses, ran the slide in and out and the awning in and out, and even had a local guy (sent by Mercedes Benz) come out and try starting it. We even removed the floor covering on the drivers side and tried directly starting the battery. No luck. It acts like there is some sort of limit switch that is not made. I am having it towed to a Mercedes shop in Ohio later this afternoon, but I was wondering if anyone on this forum had any similar problems with starting. I just drove it last week and camped for three days and drove it home and parked it.

Like the other poster said, it's a fuse. At least start there.

KatanaPilot · 06-17-2016, 09:01 PM

Take the key out, turn it over 180 degrees and try again. If that doesn't work, try the other key provided with the vehicle.

We have had this problem several times, and rotating the key always seems to work. One of our local MB dealers was familiar with this issue and said it only seems to happen on RV-bodied MBS chassis. I know it sounds nuts and one dealer thought I was when I asked about this - but the other dealer had seen it before too.

The thought is there is some issue of interference between the receiver and the transponder (security) key. I'm assuming all the dash lights illuminate as normal and you turn the key to start and absolutely nothing happens - no "clicking" sound (like a dead battery/bad solenoid) and the lights don't dim either. If this is not your issue, then please disregard the advice.

captdanerie · 06-17-2016, 09:17 PM

KatanaPilot, thanks for the info. I will call the MB repair shop and report that. All the lights do go on as normal, but nothing happens when you turn the key. I did check fuse 23 under the dash. It was a 10 amp and not blown. I'll report back when I find out what the experts discover. It is worrisome indeed! What if that happened when I was on my trip out west next month!

backdoctor · 06-19-2016, 06:31 AM

I had the same thing happen in January the day we were to leave for a month in the south. The solera had to be towed to MB dealership. The problem was an ignition lock triggered by the DEF system. They asked if I had any messges about DEF needed, or recently filled the system, but the answer was no. I'd had trouble starting it two days earlier, and thought it was the charging system and the battery was low. We jumped it, and after a while, it satrted. So when it was unresponsive in the driveway I charged it, to no avail. We jumped it, nothing.

backdoctor · 06-19-2016, 06:35 AM

MB cleared the codes and it started right up. Hasnt happened again, but every time I start the rig, I wonder? Will it start? DW doesnt want to let our kids use it for fear of them getting stuck somewhere. We've had numerous issues with NOX sensors (replaced twice) and fail to start once. But I'm optimistic that we're past those issues. Fingers crossed, knock on wood, rolling eyes....

KatanaPilot · 06-20-2016, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backdoctor

MB cleared the codes and it started right up. Hasnt happened again, but every time I start the rig, I wonder? Will it start? DW doesnt want to let our kids use it for fear of them getting stuck somewhere. We've had numerous issues with NOX sensors (replaced twice) and fail to start once. But I'm optimistic that we're past those issues. Fingers crossed, knock on wood, rolling eyes....

If clearing the codes was all it took to get your MBS started again, this might be a good motivation to install a Scan Gauge or other OBD II code-reading/clearing device. Besides providing important engine/chassis info - would it not be able to defeat limp mode for some codes? Just a thought.

backdoctor · 06-20-2016, 12:54 PM

I'm not sure the scan guage would clear the MB propietary codes. I will likely purchase one anyway, but whether it would solve this problem is uncertain.

captdanerie · 06-25-2016, 05:44 PM

An update on my non starting problem. It seems they told me I was missing fuses 5 and 6. That's what their computer said, then they put them in and it started. Did you pull those fuses out? they said. No I said. I've been driving it for almost two months and it started every time. It's a mystery. I pick it up Monday. The taillights still don't work right though.

captdanerie · 06-27-2016, 06:59 PM

An update on the starting problems. It definitely was one or both of those fuses! Everything is running fine now. Maybe I moved fuse 5 when I was trying to turn off the tail lights because the Kurt controller got wet. But even the taillights work fine now because it really hasn't rained for a month.. I need to protect the controller.

cousin01 · 06-29-2016, 09:54 AM

All of my intermittent "won't start" problems are gone since having the starter replaced under extended warranty. Dealer never did experience the problem as it would only occur after sitting for several days to weeks. Kept a log and video recorded the start attempt each time. Finally captured a no start with audio and full view if the dash lights.

Tech finally agreed and it was written up as a starter problem, which extended warranty then helped with.

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