car won't start, possible eis failure

kazsmyth · 02-07-2009, 10:01 PM

i have a 96 c200 mercedes. the star developed an intermittant start fault. the smart key was put into the electronic ignition but nothing happened, the steering lock wouldn't come off, the key wouldn't turn to the next stage. leavin the key in the ignition resulted in the car eventually starting. if the key was removed the problem re occured upon trying to restart the car. leaving the key in the ignition worked for 2 days and now the car will not start at all. the steering lock had to be forcibly disengaged in order to tow the car home. could this be an eis failure and if so is it possible to replace this with a second hand part or could it be something else

stevesey · 02-07-2009, 10:38 PM

Sorry to say that the EIS is paired to the ECU, so this could get expensive as you need to buy a matching pair secondhand. Also one member has had problems recently obtaining a replacement key from MB for a car that had the ECU/EIS replaced with MB having a record (see here)

It could be the key - sounds like you only have one (or does it behave the same with both keys, in which case it looks the key can probably be ruled out).

The key is powered by an indiction loop (battery only does lock/unlock) in the EIS, there could be a fault with this within the key, or the key electronics itself. I'm sure I've read in the past about people repairing the induction coil within the key. N.B New key on it's own is £££.

Sorry can't be more helpful.

02-07-2009, 10:01 PM	#1
kazsmyth New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	car won't start, possible eis failure i have a 96 c200 mercedes. the star developed an intermittant start fault. the smart key was put into the electronic ignition but nothing happened, the steering lock wouldn't come off, the key wouldn't turn to the next stage. leavin the key in the ignition resulted in the car eventually starting. if the key was removed the problem re occured upon trying to restart the car. leaving the key in the ignition worked for 2 days and now the car will not start at all. the steering lock had to be forcibly disengaged in order to tow the car home. could this be an eis failure and if so is it possible to replace this with a second hand part or could it be something else

02-07-2009, 10:38 PM	#2
stevesey Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bristol Car: Alfa 156 1.8TS Posts: 2,634	Sorry to say that the EIS is paired to the ECU, so this could get expensive as you need to buy a matching pair secondhand. Also one member has had problems recently obtaining a replacement key from MB for a car that had the ECU/EIS replaced with MB having a record (see here) It could be the key - sounds like you only have one (or does it behave the same with both keys, in which case it looks the key can probably be ruled out). The key is powered by an indiction loop (battery only does lock/unlock) in the EIS, there could be a fault with this within the key, or the key electronics itself. I'm sure I've read in the past about people repairing the induction coil within the key. N.B New key on it's own is £££. Sorry can't be more helpful. __________________ Steve C240 Sport '98 Gallery Pics - RIP If you can't say anything constructive - don't say anything

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