Starter problems

Asked by dalev001 Mar 15, 2008 at 12:53 PM about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 280 Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I own a 1998 C280 Sport that just went over 200.000 miles.  Recently, I started having occassional problems with starting the car.  The car would turn-over 4 to 7 times but NOT start.  It almost seems like its not getting the spark to fire-up.  Has anyone else experinced this problem before?  Any ideas what it might be.  I took it to the dealership, but they said I need to bring it in "when its doing that" (what idiots), the last time it happened was at 11:30pm last night about 80 miles away.  Thanks,  Dale

5 Answers

84,385

Sounds like the starter itself may be a problem. Was it turning over fully, and fast enough, or was it slower/not engaging the flywheel like normal? Could you hear the fuel pump running when you first turned the key before starting the car?

1 people found this helpful.

Yes, it turns over fully, just seems like no spark. I also thought it might be the alternator, but it is generating the right amount of volts/amps (whatever its called). I'm not so sure about hearing the fuel pump, I never paid attention to that. How would I know if its the fuel pump?

1 people found this helpful.

I have exactly the same problem.....Did you find out what your problem is. Mines is the same 1998 C280. I also suspect its spark plugs. Please let me know because fixing it will cost me alot. Thanks

fuel pump remove gas cap have a friend turn key on key off a few times ,while that is being done you listen in gas tank for a buzz sound,you have to put your ear close to the opening to here if you here nothing ,bad fuel pump.if you here it coming on check coil pac for fire.

I have a Mercedes C240 sport and had problems with the starter. I had to replace the crank shaft sensor which cost about £80.00.

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