6.9 - Turn the key then nothing
- Thread starter MercedesMike
- Start date
When pulling into a car parking space, I occasionally switch the engine off when the car is about 1/2 way into the spot (with the clutch in). The brakes get a bit heavier, and as the steering isn't power assisted anyway, there is no difference there.
Once I did it while parking against a kerb rather than into a conventional car park space: key off, and then thought "whoa - what's up with the steering - it's not moving at all". I had of course turned the key completely off, engaging the steering lock and heading straight for the footpath.
Once I did it while parking against a kerb rather than into a conventional car park space: key off, and then thought "whoa - what's up with the steering - it's not moving at all". I had of course turned the key completely off, engaging the steering lock and heading straight for the footpath.
Lukas, do you mean to say you have a clutch in your 6.9 ? Where the devil is it ?
Regards StyriaLukas, do you mean to say you have a clutch in your 6.9 ? Where the devil is it ?
I wish. That's in the Conformadore. I'm too scared to do anything like that in the 6.9 - not used to parking such a large car.
CraigS said - And not to mention that you also lose your brake power assistance!
Craig, you need to check the vacuum reservoir and the one-way valve as you should have enough vacuum for about 5 power brake stops before you loose the assistance.
Craig, you need to check the vacuum reservoir and the one-way valve as you should have enough vacuum for about 5 power brake stops before you loose the assistance.
Last edited:
OP
MercedesMike
New Member
- Thread Starter
- #27
Hello all. Well it happened again. The weather was unseasonably warm here in Chicago reaching a high of 70 degrees F (21 C) with bright blue, clear sunny skies. Very odd for November and frankly, quite welcome after a miserably wet and rainy October.
With such great weather, I drove my 6.9 around town including a some short trips to the local school where my son had a volleyball game. After a quick stop at the local grocery store to pick up something to eat on the way home, it happened again. Put the key in the ignition, turned it and nothing. No click, no engine turn nothing. The seat belt buzzer was buzzing, lights on the dash flicked on but the car didn't turn over. Lights worked fine so no battery problem.
As you all may recall, I changed out the ancient ignition coil hoping this was the culprit the last time this happened over a month ago. So much for that theory...
I popped open the hood and checked for loose connections - difficult to do as it gets dark here fairly early (sunset was at 4:39pm). I had purchased a new 'green wire' between the ignition control module and the distributor but HADN'T replaced it yet. I wiggled the green wire a bit to check to make sure it was seated properly and then tried starting it again. Vroom, on the first crank. I'm very hopeful this is the problem and will try to make some time tomorrow to replace it. Much rejoicing if this problem is solved once and for all.
With such great weather, I drove my 6.9 around town including a some short trips to the local school where my son had a volleyball game. After a quick stop at the local grocery store to pick up something to eat on the way home, it happened again. Put the key in the ignition, turned it and nothing. No click, no engine turn nothing. The seat belt buzzer was buzzing, lights on the dash flicked on but the car didn't turn over. Lights worked fine so no battery problem.
As you all may recall, I changed out the ancient ignition coil hoping this was the culprit the last time this happened over a month ago. So much for that theory...
I popped open the hood and checked for loose connections - difficult to do as it gets dark here fairly early (sunset was at 4:39pm). I had purchased a new 'green wire' between the ignition control module and the distributor but HADN'T replaced it yet. I wiggled the green wire a bit to check to make sure it was seated properly and then tried starting it again. Vroom, on the first crank. I'm very hopeful this is the problem and will try to make some time tomorrow to replace it. Much rejoicing if this problem is solved once and for all.
If you turn the key and nothing at all happens it means power is not getting through to the starter motor. If the battery is weak you will normally hear the solenoid throw in to apply power to the starter motor, the starter pulls more power than can be supplied so the solenoid drops out, it then has enough power to pull in again and so it goes on. You obviously don't have this either.
Consequently you may have a problem with the neutral / park safety switch on the gearbox or with the actual key lock itself.
Consequently you may have a problem with the neutral / park safety switch on the gearbox or with the actual key lock itself.
What's the latest MercedesMike?
Did you manage to replace the green wire?
Anymore drama?
Did you manage to replace the green wire?
Anymore drama?
OP
MercedesMike
New Member
- Thread Starter
- #30
Hi Michel,
Yes I was able to replace the green wire last weekend. A little trickier than I had expected. I expected to simply unplug it from the distributor but after I removed the distributor cap, I found there's a retaining metal clip that holds the wire securely in its plug. The space is very small and I had to dig out of my toolbox a very small wrench (I think you guys call them spanners) to turn the two bolts holding the clip in place.
It took about an hour but once all plugged in, the car started on the first crank. I'll withhold judgement that the ailment is cured until it warms up again here in Chicago but I'm feeling pretty good that this was the issue. The wire I replaced was stiff and the connector that plugs into the ignition module was cracked. A good sign. Trying to remain optimistic since the other posts are suggesting a very gloomy and expensive next step.
Mike
Yes I was able to replace the green wire last weekend. A little trickier than I had expected. I expected to simply unplug it from the distributor but after I removed the distributor cap, I found there's a retaining metal clip that holds the wire securely in its plug. The space is very small and I had to dig out of my toolbox a very small wrench (I think you guys call them spanners) to turn the two bolts holding the clip in place.
It took about an hour but once all plugged in, the car started on the first crank. I'll withhold judgement that the ailment is cured until it warms up again here in Chicago but I'm feeling pretty good that this was the issue. The wire I replaced was stiff and the connector that plugs into the ignition module was cracked. A good sign. Trying to remain optimistic since the other posts are suggesting a very gloomy and expensive next step.
Mike
OP
MercedesMike
New Member
- Thread Starter
- #31
Sadly, I need to revive this thread. It's summertime again here in Chicago and for those of you planning vacations in your future, this time of year is absolutely perfect for visiting the midwest United States. Breezy cool evenings, bright sunny days. Perfect.
But I digress. I've been driving my 6.9 relatively frequently these past few weeks given the nice weather. The day before yesterday and last night, the symptom has re-emerged. Turned the key and nothing happened. No turn of the engine, no click of the starter, nothing. So it's not the coil or the green wire. A peek under the hood and no loose connections. To refresh everyone's memory (and mine) in looking through the previous posts, current theories are:
- Neutral/park safety switch issue (I tried shifting the gearbox down to neutral and starting from there and back -- no effect). How would I debug this source?
- Key lock: Possible culprit. Looking for guidance on how I might investigate that root cause. When I put the key into the ignition, I certainly have some form of electrical connection - the warning buzzer rings annoyingly when the door is open. The key turns easily. Would it be something loose in there?
- Starter lockout switch: (Is this the same thing as the Neutral/Park Safety Switch mentioned above?) Down by the transmission and from Styria's description, will require me to visit my local Mercedes specialist.
- Overheating causing bad connections: Not likely. Earlier last week I drove the car about 100 miles roundtrip in fairly warm weather (high 80s F, 31-32 C) with no problems at all starting. Last night when we went out to dinner, the car wasn't running very long and took a 'break' while we ate at the restaurant for an hour or so.
- Are there any connections to/from the starter that I should look at?
Anyway, as stated in an earlier post, this of course happens intermittently and will be difficult for my local Mercedes mechanic to sort out since it'll likely not happen with him. Any other ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
But I digress. I've been driving my 6.9 relatively frequently these past few weeks given the nice weather. The day before yesterday and last night, the symptom has re-emerged. Turned the key and nothing happened. No turn of the engine, no click of the starter, nothing. So it's not the coil or the green wire. A peek under the hood and no loose connections. To refresh everyone's memory (and mine) in looking through the previous posts, current theories are:
- Neutral/park safety switch issue (I tried shifting the gearbox down to neutral and starting from there and back -- no effect). How would I debug this source?
- Key lock: Possible culprit. Looking for guidance on how I might investigate that root cause. When I put the key into the ignition, I certainly have some form of electrical connection - the warning buzzer rings annoyingly when the door is open. The key turns easily. Would it be something loose in there?
- Starter lockout switch: (Is this the same thing as the Neutral/Park Safety Switch mentioned above?) Down by the transmission and from Styria's description, will require me to visit my local Mercedes specialist.
- Overheating causing bad connections: Not likely. Earlier last week I drove the car about 100 miles roundtrip in fairly warm weather (high 80s F, 31-32 C) with no problems at all starting. Last night when we went out to dinner, the car wasn't running very long and took a 'break' while we ate at the restaurant for an hour or so.
- Are there any connections to/from the starter that I should look at?
Anyway, as stated in an earlier post, this of course happens intermittently and will be difficult for my local Mercedes mechanic to sort out since it'll likely not happen with him. Any other ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Hi MercedesMike, when you turn on the ignition, is there in fact an ignition light ? If there is, and the engine will not crank, I would suggest that the inhibitor switch at the side of the gearbox should be replaced. Also, with ignition on, and shifting the lever to "Reverse", do you have reversing lights ?
The inhibitor switch is not expensive to buy - in the region of about $US55.00 from any number of suppliers in the States. I would now start with that, but at the same time carefully check the wiring connections on the loom with its four wires that are plugged into the switch.
If the engine cranks, but will not fire, I'd suggest that you replace the ignition module located at the front of your left inner guard. Those are the intial steps I would recommend. Regards Styria
The inhibitor switch is not expensive to buy - in the region of about $US55.00 from any number of suppliers in the States. I would now start with that, but at the same time carefully check the wiring connections on the loom with its four wires that are plugged into the switch.
If the engine cranks, but will not fire, I'd suggest that you replace the ignition module located at the front of your left inner guard. Those are the intial steps I would recommend. Regards Styria
OP
MercedesMike
New Member
- Thread Starter
- #33
Hi Styria: I'm not sure what you mean by an 'ignition light.' When I turn the key, the dash lights up, the instruments come to attention awaiting the engine to turn over. The engine simply doesn't turn over nor as my previous posts mention do I even hear the starter click. I haven't checked to see if the reverse lights go on but will try that the next time it happens.
As with all the previous times, after a few minutes of trying, the car suddenly starts. Very mysterious.
I will research this inhibitor switch and see what I find. Thanks for the tip.
As with all the previous times, after a few minutes of trying, the car suddenly starts. Very mysterious.
I will research this inhibitor switch and see what I find. Thanks for the tip.
OP
MercedesMike
New Member
- Thread Starter
- #34
One quick question -- does anyone have a part number for this inhibitor switch or could point me to an online retailer who sells such a thing? After a bit of research today, I have not been able to locate this part. Thanks.
OP
MercedesMike
New Member
- Thread Starter
- #35
Is this the part in question?
It is part number: 0005454606 on the Autohaus AZ website.
It is part number: 0005454606 on the Autohaus AZ website.
Similar threads
Similar threads
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I know nothing about cars, but I want to learn via restoration
- Started by johndd
- Replies: 15
-
