Hi everyone, newbie on here!

I have recently been experiencing intermittent start issues with my S Class 320 CDI.

What actually happens is, I turn the key, all lights up on the dash etc, but I can hear the fan go at high speed from the engine, and the “ESP visit workshop” comes up on the display. When I go to start my car at cold temperatures it usually starts after a few attempts. It’s very intermittent, but if I drive the vehicle and park it up and try again, on some occasions it takes 30 minutes or so to start.

I have had main dealer look at the problem, and as usual they simply like to choose the most expensive part, telling me the “CDI control unit (assuming they mean the ECU) needs replacing.

But reading previous threads on the forum and Mercedes specialist independent garage look at the issue, it seems it could possibly be the ignition switch (EIS). To *** to this I have had a new key and fob programmed and still the problem persists.

I would appreciate any sort of replies to shed some light on this error, can it be the EIS? Or the Control Unit?

 

I can't help on your exact problem, but your profile says you are in the UK and London, if so, then yes, I would give main dealers around here miss! As you say their fix is to replace whole parts even if they are not 100% sure if they are the cause. I found they were not good at preventative maintenance or as you say diagnosing intermittent problems! In fact when I first took my W140 to AMC for an A service they found the previous main dealer had not actually done everything they should have done on the previous B service!
My last experience of a main dealer was getting a quote from the Epsom dealer for four new tires for my W140, and they wanted £1,300 (plus vat!)....nice.

I now take mine to this place: amclondon.com , I've never had a problem with them and they are better than any main dealer I've used round here! They are quite good if you give them a ring, chances are they may have seen the problem before and give you some useful info over the phone. Also they have access to lots of reconditioned parts too, so will often be able to give you the option of a new or reconditioned part.

Good luck getting it fixed! I would take it to a good independent, and make sure you write down everything you know about the problem, what you have tried etc, when it happens and staple to log book etc. This way you know the guy who looks at the car will know everything to, in case the person at reception doesn't pass on all the info to them.

 

Hi,

Thanks for your response and recommendations. I just gotthe car back from MB Dealers, hopefully they havent made the problem worse! AMC put me in touch with another person they use when over flowed with work, they have assured me the guy is a MB specialist.

The cars with him now, but any info would be great from anyone.

thank you for your replys.

 

i was driving today morning and i caned my car from the signal and suddenly malfunction screen start showing ESP and BAS visit work shop and car was suddenly lost all the power. i have stop the engine and start again said 2 malfunctions and the i have start with my key and press esp button on dash and its showing no malfunctions. i was driving the car with card not with key.

any ideas y these signs came up on the screen

its a 2001 merc s320

 

Hi nav a. Did you manage to find the problem? I have the exact same problem now on a e270 cdi

 

Hi, did you manage to get the starting problem sorted???

 

I solved mine by replacing the ECU. very ouch in term of $. And based on my research, 90% of the time it is ECU related when such symptoms are displayed.