Won't Start

[Rapa Nui]

PROTAG
I'm not an expert, so take this with some salt, but when I drove AAA trucks and towed anything, it was always on its rear wheels with automatic in neutral. Even big vans like the Sprinter.

The auto industry generally overbuilds just for such occasional contingencies. (Conversely, they know what the max is and cut it in half just to be safe when informing the buyer.) I've been a tech reporter and editor in the auto industry and can honestly say the SAE and automaker guidelines are way conservative.

Chances are pretty good (don't hold me to this) that towing the Sprinter with the driveshaft connected for the distance and speed you traveled is HIGHLY unlikely to have caused transmission damage. Just don't make a habit of it.

[c21]

Originally Posted by 73shark

Some installers will take the spare chipped key, break the shank off, and hide the rest under the dash for remote start applications.

I was concerned about being locked out due to a lost key, so here was my remedy: I purchased a key blade from my dealer ($20) and keep it in a small combination lockbox attached to the hitch. The key blade only opens the driver door but I have a complete set of keys hidden inside the coach. $20 bought me a lot of peace of mind!

[73shark]

You can get the tranny a BG service which carries a two or three year warranty, can't remember which. Saved my son a lot of money on a 2004 Tahoe that I had done when I owned it and there was no hassle. Just had the dealer that did the service confirm w/ BG.

[Protagonist]

First update from the dealer…

They were able to get into the van without difficulty using some kind of inflatable device inserted between the top rear corner of the door and the frame, and inserting a plastic-coated hook to lift the door latch.

Naturally the chassis battery was stony dead after sitting all weekend with the key on, so they're replacing the battery, free of charge.

The starter fuse was blown (no surprise there), but that was only the start of the troubleshooting. The van originally came with a 15amp starter fuse and there was service bulletin issued calling for it to be replaced with a 20amp fuse. When the 10,000 mile service was performed, they replaced the 15amp fuse with a 20amp fuse then, so the fuse that blew was a 20amp fuse. Now they're concerned with why it blew a 20amp fuse, so that's what they're trying to find. I'm all in favor. Some places would just replace the fuse and say, "Okay, you're good," without tracking down the underlying cause.

I reiterated my warning about the improper towing procedure, and they'll be dropping the transmission oil pan to take a look.

[Boxster1971]

Protagonist,
Check out this thread on B-van forum for similar starter fuse issue.

http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...?t=3220#p21525

Also get the MB letter from this web page and give it to your dealer. That starter fuse should be 25 amp like mine.

http://www.aev.com/uploads/file/SPRI...20START%20.pdf



- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[GCinSC2]

It's getting even more interesting. I'll just wish you long distance luck.

Whatever it turns out to be if one of you Interstate'ers could look at Maggie's model info on her rig and see if same issue might apply to her. We sure don't want to see Maggie in a similar spot.

Good luck.

[gmillerok1]

That is really great to know-thanks very much for posting.

Gerald

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Protagonist,
Check out this thread on B-van forum for similar starter fuse issue.

2013 Sprinter Blown Starter Motor Fuse • Class B RV and Camper Van Discussion Forum

Also get the MB letter from this web page and give it to your dealer. That starter fuse should be 25 amp like mine.

http://www.aev.com/uploads/file/SPRI...20START%20.pdf



- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[David M]

I agree. Good to know. I just replaced the factory installed 20 amp fuse with a 25 amp just in case (my fuse was in the drivers footwell, 2013 AI on a 2012 chassis).

[J. Morgan]

The factory's tell us never replace a fuse with a bigger fuse.....

And then they go and do this....

A guess might be that there is some kind of an unforeseen back feed popping those fuses...

[David M]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

The factory's tell us never replace a fuse with a bigger fuse.....

And then they go and do this....

A guess might be that there is some kind of an unforeseen back feed popping those fuses...

Hmmm, I wouldn't have changed mine so quickly, but the letter to Sprinter Dealers looked official at first glance. But in re-reading the letter, I now have reservations. The letter was written very sloppily (department's vs. departments, their vs. there, and other grammatical errors) and reads as if it was written by a customer about a personal vehicle. Or is this the way Mercedes writes internal memos?

[73shark]

Just checked my 2010 Sprinter manual and it specifies 20A. Will check w/ my MB Sprinter guy to verify if 25A is the new preference.

Trust but verify.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by David M

Hmmm, I wouldn't have changed mine so quickly, but the letter to Sprinter Dealers looked official at first glance. But in re-reading the letter, I now have reservations. The letter was written very sloppily (department's vs. departments, their vs. there, and other grammatical errors) and reads as if it was written by a customer about a personal vehicle. Or is this the way Mercedes writes internal memos?

It's apparently bogus. I asked the service manager at Mercedes Benz of Baton Rouge. 2011 Sprinters came with a 15amp starter fuse and the service bulletin called for replacing it with a 20amp fuse, not a 25amp fuse. Later model years came from the factory with a 20amp fuse already in place. The service manager said he had never seen a bulletin calling for increasing the fuse to 25amps.

Oh, and the reason why the fuse blew on mine, one of the wires was chafing on a piece of metal (he didn't say which or where) and rubbed off the insulation. Wire replaced and properly sheathed in a plastic tube to prevent future chafing, problem solved.

And more good news, no apparent harm from the improper towing method. Some metal particles in the transmission fluid, but typical size and quantity for having over 18,000 miles on it; no indication of unusual wear, fluid level normal, no leaks at the seals, no discoloration due to overheating. He used a pump down the dipstick tube to take a sample for analysis. Recommendation from the service manager, wait until the 20,000 mile service, and drain/replace the fluid then.

I get to pick up my Interstate after work tomorrow, and I can finally recover from my separation anxiety.

[73shark]

Did he show you where the tranny dipstick tube is? I couldn't find it on mine and dealer said there isn't one. I did see an add-on kit on the 'net tho.

[c21]

Glad to hear it turned out to not be a big deal after all you went thru Pro. Also it was good of your dealer to comp the new battery.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

It's apparently bogus. I asked the service manager at Mercedes Benz of Baton Rouge. 2011 Sprinters came with a 15amp starter fuse and the service bulletin called for replacing it with a 20amp fuse, not a 25amp fuse. Later model years came from the factory with a 20amp fuse already in place. The service manager said he had never seen a bulletin calling for increasing the fuse to 25amps.

Well, FWIW, according to the 2013 Fuse Allocation Supplement, fuse 28 is spec'd at 25amps.

2013 Fuse Allocation Supplement

In any event, glad you are back in business. Quite the story!

[Boxster1971]

My 2012 Sprinter came with a 25 amp starter fuse from the factory. It was built in August 2012.


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[Boxster1971]

That MB letter/memo is not a service bulletin so it's not really official MB engineering data. To me it looks like a note from a regional service manager. Bogus or not I'm glad they found the source of Protagonist's problem.


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 73shark

Did he show you where the tranny dipstick tube is? I couldn't find it on mine and dealer said there isn't one. I did see an add-on kit on the 'net tho.

He hasn't shown me yet, since I won't actually be returning to the dealer to pick it up until tomorrow after work.

[dkrug]

I am happy to hear you will get your baby back!!! I get terrible separation anxiety in the winter!!!!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, from someone who has rebuilt automatic transmissions before, what metal that might be in the fluid, especially since it hasn't really been driven, would be a poor indicator. The pan must come off. Bigger/heavier pieces will sit on the bottom and that is what you want to see. They took the easy way out, possibly at your expense. I would want it off now even at your cost; This could save you big time farther down the road.

Now days dealers just want to do a trans flush; Big money for easy work. For about the same price I demand that my trans service be done the old fashioned way. Remove the pan, drain the torque converter, clean out cooler lines, and replace internal filter.