I have an 08 Mercedes C350, and currently having the same problem. Until seeing this video, I could not figure out why my car wouldn't crank out of the blue one morning. I haven't been able to move this car for the last 4 months now.. Thanks for this very informative video. You provided a lot of information that I needed. Unfortunately I'm not a mechanic and don't have the skill set to complete this job. My next task is finding someone to do it lol.. Thanks again for this video. Your hard work and info is greatly appreciated..

Mercedes should have recalled this issue long ago. It has plagued every one of their cars with it. I have seen these go out at 60K and some over 200K. Seems that hot summer days or really cold winter days make them fail, when they finally go. I was able to pull my ESL without pulling everything apart. Loosened the column 2 top bolts removed the bottom 2, and was able to pull the ESL out (by feel) and zip tied it up under the dash. When it does go, it will make the emulator or just the motor repair much easier. (in the event it quits when locked) Great video BTW..

Cool video! Seen initially the esl/elv faults from the report. But really enjoyed the diag leading up to the fault. Honestly, its a good reminder after seeing so many of these. FYI there is a 20amp (eng room fuse box) power feed to the ESL. Every so often these will open causing similar faults. Thank for sharing! Always awesome content on your channel!

Very interesting video, Jake! I've seen a lot of Mercedes ESL videos on repair and bypass, but you went into the important bits to be on the lookout. Mercedes, like most German manufacturers, loves to insert blackboxes in schematics, on which information depends on your "clearance" level, and each blackbox has its specific schematic (sometimes with one or more blackboxes inside) and no schematic has the whole information required for solving problems like this - theoretically you would need to contact a higher level engineer with your problem. I've seen this a lot with Siemens telecommunications equipment, a few decades ago and was told that it was due to security of in-house know-how. A pita, when you come across those, when solving a problem.

Dude - you have my total respect! THank you for this video

Diagnosis: Mercedes is stupid LOL! Nice work Jake 👌

You always have great educational videos online but I guess the time to see you in real life during my visit in Utah is getting pretty close.

Would love to have more content from you sir..i know its hard to film and work especially on diagnostics..hard work need concentration...but always wait for your vid..it always teaches me some extra and new.thanks sir.cheers

*The first thing I do is read the key. From the key you can get the SSID whether the key is original or not. If the key is Original you can get the SSID only but if the key is a BE key you can get the password from it as well. No need to go through the procedure to calculate the password which can take up to 30 minutes. It's a lot faster!!!*

Always a good omen on the day when it starts with one of your videos.

i wish car's had their own built in scan tool so if the car wont turn on like this one, it should give you access to the codes to tell you whats wrong instead of buying a 2k scan tool or have someone come out to read the codes

Great video. lots of work and thanks for your information. I am sure many like me are very apriciat about your work.

That should be a damn recall. .

Very good job, I have a similar problem on a 2017, I will try the same method

Yesterday my 2008 c300 started to do the same thing that happened here. Thanks for your help

Bought a 2007 sprinter van new. Occasionally no start nothing at all, completly dead. Next day no problem. Had it transported dead to mercedes twice but it started for them first time. They could not read a fault. Two different dealers suggestions. Buy a new key and buy a new starter motor but no guarantees it would fix the problem. Took it to my auto electrician. He cleaned the paint off an earth wire under the drivers seat as a lucky guess. Never had a problem since.

Im608 is a great scanner, have to update that every year in order to use it for these type of jobs. Thanks for taking the time out and showing this.

Wish I could sit and learn from you in your garage, lol!!! Interesting video!

On a slightly different note we are automotive only locksmiths. We have 608's 508's Advanced Diagnostics Smart Pro's and about 10 more Chinese clones and also other brands. We often get programming failed messages from all of them and the fobs/key actually works. We really don't make duplicates 99.99% of our calls are all keys lost. So we see the same programming errors but they actually are programmed. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Autel tech support. Their programmers will brick a Honda BCM because it doesn't write correctly to it. They are aware of this. They don't make it public and haven't fixed it. Honda has a TSB on it and dealers will blame you if it comes in with a fried BCM. Long story short if using an Autel for making a key and it asks to verify the date even if correct ALWAYS choose NO. If yes it's too late. A Smart Pro will never ask for date verification.

great video and great info on emulator set up , thanks Jake

Mine did this too. The ESL wasnt engaging, it was bad and needs replacing. A few dealerships will not sell the part unless its tied to a service order there at the dealership since its an antitheft part. $1800 fix at dealership. Emulater is much less expensive.

I've been an auto tech for 23 years now, mostly with places like midas and meineke, the company i work for now is way advanced compared to what i got used to and we tackle hardcore problems. What I'm currently doing is childs play in my opinion and I'm a certified EV/Tesla tech , i would love to find a company to work for with your level of knowledge and tech. Very impressive good sir. We're pretty much allowed to go back to factory specs and that's it due to insurance companies and what they pay out. In this situation would it be easier to do this in the car as in you'd need less equipment?

who needs aftermarket junk when merc throw it in at the factory.. 😊😊👍👍

Mercedes are nice to drive. But now you make it reliable 👍. So the make things clear in the end - The mechanical fault of the steering column not been able to unlock is not allowing to turn car into ignition(KOEO) . And that's why the "relay 15" back in the rear SAM is not getting commanded on. Nice job man, you saved the customer a thousand dollars (maybe) and risk of gambling at the casino, ops I meant Mercedes stealership. 😊

Happen to mine,had to call a locksmith that installed a bypass and resolve the problem for good in 5 minutes.600$,better than the 3500 the dealer wanted.The ignition went bad.Just make sure YOU DON'T LET THE STEERING LOCK,otherwise then you are in real big problems.If u let it happen then your dealer is probably ur only option

Nice! I wasn't aware this could be done

Volvo and BMW had the same issue. They took away the steering lock on the next generation. The issue occurs when the battery goes flat and wipes the software in the steering lock. Reprogramming the steering lock will make it work again. Otherwise the complete steering column has to be replaced.

So you put in that emulator instead of a new steering column lock? would a new ESL have been too expensive? interesting stuff, despite the fact the problem on my 97 C280 being a different one (no fuel pump no crank, always ignition and lights, keys are okay, tapping the EIS helped to get the car started yesterday when i was stranded at a fuel station 5 minutes after a perfectly fine cold start). wonder if might be a loose connection within the EIS or on the back.

Brilliant video tutorial ❤ it From start to finish loved it Very helpful video tips thank you 👍 SHARP Automotive Diagnostics & Programming From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧 ⏰️ 20:28pm

Thanks for the video and analysis :). I have the same issue on a c200 w204 (2012), what kind of tool do you use to check the error code and see the ssid/passwd please ? Apparently my garage don't saw anything on the diagnostic tool. The problem is that this issue don't show up every time, but particularly when it's hot outside.

What was the brand of emulator? I found a MK3 version and it was $12. Dont want to addume anything but $12 seems too cheap

I had this. Turns out the imobliser was on. Just lock the car again and open the trunk or door with the emergency key and then press unlock when the alarm goes off. Key back in and away you go.

For me it was enough to just watch 1/2 of this video. Car got itself 2gether and started ;)

sounds like the nissan steering lock problem

I changed the water pump on my 04 c230 kompressor and I started it fine then I turned it off because it’s a manual transmission but the park brake wasn’t working I removed the stopper went to turn it on again and just got as far as initializing everything but doesn’t not try to turn on for nothing I thought my clutch was bad and didn’t activate but I only drove it twice and it’s brand new, Mercedes are very good but if one things fails everything will start to fail one by one

Why does a company with such a reputation for reliability continue to use rubbish parts that are so prone to failure? This should be really brand damaging but somehow the majority of us still believe that Mercedes make reliable vehicles which is much more than they deserve.

I’m working on an ML350 with similar problem except mine is literally completely dead since it won’t even establish communication, but at time it would turn on and crank. I am thinking ignition switch but I have yet to do a circuit analysis.

Good job man

Great video enjoyed how you got thru this one.thanks Jake

How much did you charge for this job? I have the same exact issue

Great video and troubleshooting, can you tell us what the cost would be for such job? 😐

I love the wiring diagram can I get it

Thanks again for sharing. Can I just replace the motor and not have to program anything?

Great video, thanks! Just wanna share my experience with Mercedes ESL. Not sure what type of emulator are you using, but I've done bunch of them and nothing need to be programmed. They are just plug and play devices.

I have a 2013 e550 coupe and having this same problem and can’t figure it out

I’m having that problem again got it fix at the dealer cost me almost 1600 I thought it will be a lifetime warranty but it’s not and 3 years later it’s happening again Not happy at all I have a 2011 c300 sport

If you going to go with a emulator why do you have to remove the ESL? Can you just unplug the ESL and plug in the emulator after its programed on the bench.

Jake, when the emulator programming failed did you go through the steps a second time or where you expecting it to fail and knew that all would still be ok?

Thanks help me a lot

Great video as usual mister jake . I need help please I have 2014 sprinter and I turn ignition on but will not start I put + to stater motor and I manage to start only one time now doesn’t do anything exept tir ignition on but not start. What the eis cut off ? Diesel? Cans you help me please? Thank you sir

I had a 2003 Mercedes elegance a few years ago. The car was working fine until I left it for one week. The battery went flat so I bought another battery and the car wouldn’t start even on the new battery cost me £150 about $190 dollars

you only need to drill them when they fail in the locked position

great video

Same exact situation for me. It happened when I let battery die. Swapped new one but accidentally put wrong terminal on. Checked fuses and relays in both sams. Nothing. When I insert key it says “remove from ignition” but I still hear the wheel priming/clicking when I first insert the key. I’m so lost

You were lucky it was the motor. Usually it is the software in the esl that gets wiped. Then you can’t use an emulator. Beware of removing the esl as you are now liable if the car gets stolen. The insurance will not cover you if the car gets stolen. It’s a law suit waiting to happen.

My car is w204 2008 model and it can not start but can sense the key. The steering is not locked but the car can not start. Ignition does come on and the car is able to change gears and turning the steering.What could be the problem?

Where do you get the emulator from? Thank you in advance

What software are you using?

Just subscribed 👍👍

I’ve just purchased a used 09 ML 550 I go to start it like normal. The car started perfectly fine, no lights on nothing wrong. After a minute of warming up every single light on the dash turned on and showed ESP and other messages inoperative. I turned it off but the SRS light stays on. I try to start but nothing happens. No crank but everything light up. I also think the auxiliary has died but the main battery is perfect. I’m not a gear head but hopefully someone can point me in some direction as the car is now stuck in the garage.

Hi , can I ask could an xhorse key cutting and programmer do the same job as you did with your autel .

I wonder how much would the mechanic would charge to do all of this. I have this same issue

I have a 2016 Mercedes GLC300 4 matic i have the same problem sometimes starting something don’t

Grasias

what reader did you use?

I have a 2000 mercedes S 500 but a have not positive on any wire of the ignición swictch What I can do ?? If some one can help me I realy presierete

Stering lock change da set

When I insert the key, it does not turn, and the fan turns on automatically. Mercedes w220 s500

I can kinda understand wanting to make the lock complicated, to slow down the thieves... But real thieves will just steal your keys anyway-- so it's all for nothing.

Can’t you just install a emulator so the problem Is fine for good ??

pls can u tell where can I get the emulator?

👍👍

not easy tks

Guess it's a Europe thing, Volvo xc 90 has, the same stupid issue with the scl!

I have the same issue same car . If u leave the key on for about 90 seconds it came on and starters the car 🤷🏼‍♂️

My c320 is doing this right now. hope the rest of the video explains it so I can fix it. I checked all the fuses, and the key checks OK

I did not hear ESL on beginning. Alldata is garbage for that car. Another big mistake is to use garbage USB cable for XP400