I just experience this today. I got in the car and turned the key to start the engine. All the lights came on as usual, but the car did not crank. The lights stayed on but engine did not turn over. After turning key off two more times the engine finally started and ran perfect.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

couldn't it be bad ignition switch contact inside?

 

could be a bad neutral safety switch located on the side of trans when this happens try shifting to neutral and try starting car if it dosent start throw a ignition switch at it

 

vytamenc i have to buy you a beer!~

I just was having the same problem with my 1990 SL 60, tearing my eyes out, because they just changed the ignition switch (i had to also get an upgraded tumbler/ignition housing as in 1995 they changed ignitions) and brought the car home. It didnt start. The Dealer was telling me something in my car was killing ignition switches and they wouldnt work on it until I had it towed down there (do they not realize how low this car is?) and diagnose what in my car is killing these ignition switches. Then i read your post to try it in neutral. It started no problem! Thank you so much for posting here. I am now this minute a member and will support this site strong! And if you are ever in western Canada, beers on me man!

Mikey

 

Mine was doing the same thing, it became more and more frequent, they changed many parts including the computers (ECU)s but it continued until my wifes ML needed new batteries for her keys. I got new batteries for all of our keys and my SL600 started right up and has not had the problem since. It's a cheap fix to try before you start replacing the other parts.