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08-23-2014, 03:53 PM
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#1
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Won't Start
This morning I went out to my 2012 Airstream Interstate (2011 Sprinter 3500) to take it for its weekly drive. Even when I'm not camping, I still can't let it sit longer than a week without feeling the itch to drive it somewhere, even if it's just to make a grocery run.
But today, it wouldn't start. Wouldn't even crank. Not even a clicking noise from the starter relay. The key turns; the dashboard icons light up the way they're supposed to. There are no messages on the message center in the dashboard. Oil level is okay according to the on-board sensor, and by the dipstick. Plenty of fuel in the tank.
I hooked up my OBDII reader to the OBD port, and all it told me was that there were no stored codes. Which is exactly what I expected since there were no messages in the dashboard display either.
I thought that perhaps it wasn't quite in Park, so I put my foot on the brake and cycled through all the gears with the key in the "On" position, and back up into Park with all the authority I could muster without slamming it. No change.
The chassis battery is only about 6 months old. Everything that could have sucked power from the battery was turned off, except the Viper alarm system (which still had enough power to work, so it seems the battery is not dead).
I pulled my other vehicle around and hooked up the jumper cables to jump-start the van. No change. It was still doing the same thing. Or rather, still not doing the same thing…
I'm completely stumped, and open to any knowledgeable suggestion as to what the problem might be.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-23-2014, 04:19 PM
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#2
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Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
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Do you have a different key to try? My BMW acts much like your MB is acting once in a while. Lights, camera..no start. Sixth or seventh attempt it starts. Good luck!
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
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08-23-2014, 04:24 PM
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#3
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Top
Do you have a different key to try? My BMW acts much like your MB is acting once in a while. Lights, camera..no start. Sixth or seventh attempt it starts. Good luck!
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Hadn't tried my spare key. Now if I can just find where I stashed it…
But I might wait until tomorrow morning when it's not quite so beastly hot outside; I detest triple-digit heat indices, especially when I'm going to be in the middle of an asphalt-paved parking lot.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-23-2014, 04:53 PM
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#4
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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An Interstate did this at our shop, and it turned out it thought it had been stolen, and locked itself out. We had to have it towed to the local Mercedes dealer for them to unlock it. Hopefully, that won't be what happens this time.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-23-2014, 05:26 PM
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#5
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
An Interstate did this at our shop, and it turned out it thought it had been stolen, and locked itself out. We had to have it towed to the local Mercedes dealer for them to unlock it. Hopefully, that won't be what happens this time.
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When my old battery started dying on me (it was defective and replaced later under warranty) the ignition switch wouldn't recognize the chip in the key, and so the key wouldn't even turn. I thought that would happen if the anti-theft lockout went into effect as well. So since the key does turn, I even didn't think of the anti-theft system being the culprit. You might be right. We'll see when I try the spare key.
I hope you'll pardon my saying so, but I really hope you're wrong. Where it's parked, it will be very awkward to get a flatbed tow truck into the parking lot to load it up, and I may have to round up a whole slew of large, burly fellows to help push it out of the parking space so the tow truck could reach it.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-23-2014, 05:51 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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I would start by making sure you have good connections at the battery. Also a good connection at the point where the negative battery cable connects to the vehicle chassis.
Do the headlights come on?
Do they go out when you turn the key?
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08-23-2014, 07:16 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Olympia
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 773
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My first guess would be a bad ignition switch.
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Dave
2014 Ram 2500 CTD
Pro Pride
Centramatics
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08-23-2014, 07:30 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Hate to say it but simple no start issues have evolved into computer nightmares.
I don't know how much electronics The Sprinters share with Chrysler, but no starts with Many Chryslers are due to problems with the bus and/or security.
I am seeing a trip to the dealer in your future...
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-23-2014, 07:31 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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Every once in a while my Mercedes does that same thing after sitting for a while. It will always start in Neutral. I drive it for a while and then it starts normally in park
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08-23-2014, 07:49 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
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Does your OBD2 reader have monitor capability? Some of them can look at various parameters. Maybe you can see if you are getting a start signal.
My wife's E350 had some very strange startup issues like some features not working, couldn't get it out of Park, half the dashboard lit, half not. No codes stored. It was the key.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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08-23-2014, 08:19 PM
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#11
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
When my old battery started dying on me (it was defective and replaced later under warranty) the ignition switch wouldn't recognize the chip in the key, and so the key wouldn't even turn. I thought that would happen if the anti-theft lockout went into effect as well. So since the key does turn, I even didn't think of the anti-theft system being the culprit. You might be right. We'll see when I try the spare key.
I hope you'll pardon my saying so, but I really hope you're wrong. Where it's parked, it will be very awkward to get a flatbed tow truck into the parking lot to load it up, and I may have to round up a whole slew of large, burly fellows to help push it out of the parking space so the tow truck could reach it.
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The key would turn, the lights would work, but it would not allow the starter to engage. It would come out of park, as well.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-23-2014, 09:53 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Muskogee
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 749
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Check the battery cutoff cable connection under the dash. Just a thought.
__________________
2011 Interstate WD/Lounge (since sold).
2020 Leisure Van WonderRTB
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08-23-2014, 10:02 PM
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#13
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Jeff
2013 Interstate Coach
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 185
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Left the Mercedes headlights (run with them on for safety) on at the golf course (exited through the slider). Deader than a doornail when I finished 18 holes. Wouldn't even click. Felt like a complete moron. Hit the house battery assist button (lower left, on dash under steering wheel). Turned the ignition key. Bingo! Good luck.
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08-23-2014, 10:08 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
2020 27' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Taylor Ridge
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 144
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Another place to check, the battery cable connection at the starter.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
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08-23-2014, 10:23 PM
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#15
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Let's see…
Based on the responses so far, looks like my plan of attack for tomorrow morning, before temperatures get unbearable, is as follows:
1 - Try starting it with the spare key.
2 - Try starting it in neutral.
3 - If neither of those work, call the dealer Monday morning to set up an appointment for NEXT Saturday, cancel my Labor Day weekend camping trip (damn!), and call Good Sam Roadside Assistance to arrange for a flatbed tow for Saturday morning. Might be a novel experience for them, someone calling for a tow days in advance because fortunately I'm not stranded anywhere. Which is the one really good side to all of this. At least it happened right here at home, and not at a campground or highway rest area or wherever!
To follow up on some of the other responses…
I checked the disconnect under the dash. Still plugged in, as it should be. As soon as I pull the plug, it sets off the Viper alarm system so I never use the disconnect.
I checked the battery connections when jump-starting didn't work either, because in addition to using the remote battery posts under the dash, I opened up the driver's footwell and went straight to the battery.
2012 Interstates don't have a house battery assist button; that was only added in later model years.
My OBDII device doesn't have real-time monitoring; only works with the key in the On position but engine off.
If anybody else has ideas that I might try, don't hesitate to chime in. And to those who have responded, many thanks. I'll let you know what I find out.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-23-2014, 10:58 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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I haven't had this issue with my '11 Sprinter service van (about to turn 100K miles) but I know a FedEx driver that had your issue. It turned out to be lost recognition of the chip in the key.
Solution was to have the ECU re-flashed at Mercedes and keys re-programmed.
Hope your issue is simpler!!
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lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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08-23-2014, 11:16 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
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Does your Viper have a starter inhibit function?
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Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
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08-24-2014, 12:00 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Hi, this was in a Ford bulletin, but could apply to your vehicle. Items like Mobile Speed Pass or other electronic devises on [or close to] your key ring can cause an incorrect signal to your key reader.
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Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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08-24-2014, 06:30 AM
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#19
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 73shark
Does your Viper have a starter inhibit function?
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No.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS
Hi, this was in a Ford bulletin, but could apply to your vehicle. Items like Mobile Speed Pass or other electronic devises on [or close to] your key ring can cause an incorrect signal to your key reader.
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That's why I keep my Honda keys and Sprinter keys on separate key rings. The Honda key is chipped as well, and would cause interference.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-24-2014, 08:28 AM
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#20
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Status Update
It's official. My Interstate will have to get towed to the Sprinter dealer to get the problem resolved. There's nothing left to try, and nothing I tried worked.
Everyone, thanks for your help.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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