2010 Mercedes E550 wont start

100

Asked by ben_siri Apr 27, 2016 at 11:16 PM about the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 550 Luxury 4MATIC

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

replaced with new starter, a month later same issues. Now they say I need a new control wire harness?? Anyone know anything about this? Goolgle turned up nothing

20 Answers

100

thanks for your response. When they replaced the starter they also replaced with anew battery and 2 electrical wiring harnesses. I have a feeling the dealer is trying to charge me for unnecessary work. I can not find anything about a "control wire harness" replacement. they are trying to charge me $2500 to fix after I just paid $2800 last month

2 people found this helpful.
4,910

Are u sure they replaced starter? If your handy get under look at starter, does it look new or even take out starter yiurself and have it tested at auto store for free. By the way what exactly is the issue? What does it do or not do?

2 people found this helpful.
100

yes I took it to the Mercedes dealer and had it all replaced. a month later same issues, car wont start only hear a click when I turn the key. towed it back down to the dealer and now they are telling me I need a new control wire harness, all together costing $2300

2 people found this helpful.
4,910

Ouch! Your only going by what they are telling you correct? Clicking sound like you describe is usually starter or dead battery. Can you go there and have them show you starter area, crank it, see if sound eminates from starter area. If it does then starter probably getting jolt from battery but starter not turning over engine. Hate to say this cause I don't know ur dealer but be careful. Also why a dealer? Don't you know a trusted, good mechanic or one specializing in mercedes? Dealers are to expensive!

1 people found this helpful.
100

correct!! Definitely going by what "they" tell me. I know dealers are too expensive but my mechanic couldn't handle the work load. I already paid $2800 now they're asking for another $2300. I definitely feel like they are trying to get one over on me, considering its the same issues I had the first time and they told me I needed a new starter and battery. By the way if the sound eliminates from starter area what does that mean? have you ever heard of replacing a control wire harness? I see nothing that would affect the car not to start. thank you for responding

1 people found this helpful.
100

by the way I'm a female, using my brothers sign in. definitely feeling like they are trying to get over on me.

1 people found this helpful.
4,910

Usually it can mean the voltage is hitting the starter but the starter is shorting out or stuck. Are they talking bout the wiring to starter, harness? Whatever harness their talking about I've had cars 10 to 20 years old and never replaced one in 50 years much less a 6 year old Mercedes. I mean could happen but I got my doubts. Have them tell you why or show you why its bad, especially for $2000? Did they accidentally cut it, why now a month later. Sorry but I say be careful!!! Let us know what happens. Wish you da best my friend!

2 people found this helpful.
4,910

Also don't u know someone who knows cars to go with you!? Sorry for all us men who would not take advantage of you, a female, or even any male.

1 people found this helpful.
100

Thank you for the advice! I thought the same, that they intentionally damaged it, because now it's something new only a month later. They checked out the whole car but missed that. Thank you for the advice. I asked if it was the wiring to the starter harness and he says no the control wire harness. I definitely am bring cautious. I also called Mercedes corporate to complain, hopefully I get somewhere. Will keep you updated

100

It's funny that you mention that, a buddy of mine works for the dealership but different brand of car. Had him look at it before I towed it down there considering they said it was a year warranty on the work they did. He said it seems like a loose wire to the starter, especially after they just replaced it. I don't want to risk his job there tho. Lol

1 people found this helpful.
4,910

A friend of mine, an honest mechanic! worked for a dealership and was told to FIND things on cars, he had to quit because he would not do it. Most mechanics are honest but u gotta find them, lol. Let us know wat happens, wish you well!

1 people found this helpful.
4,910

I have one 15 years old, 150,000 miles, camry, but sorry to say just like me, not the same after 15 years, lol! Nothing, including me lasts forever. Wish it did. :-(

1 people found this helpful.
16,005

It is sad but true - there are mechanics and/or dealerships that try to inflate repair bills. MB dealerships charge up to $150/hr rate so even something as simple as an oil change can be $200 or more. As the previous people suggested - try to find a local mechanic you trust who specializes in German cars. Besides a lower hourly rate - they probably will not gouge you on parts you do not need. I had a 2012 E-550 and loved it. MB's are very tech heavy and also very finicky if the voltages are not what the computer is looking for. bob_nueske is right - the battery or regulators are much more likely a problem than a wiring harness. The only exceptions might be if this was a 'flood' damaged car at some point.

2 people found this helpful.
100

Still is under "review" with a local Mechanic. He wasn't able to fit me in until yesterday (Thursday). He's dumbfounded by what the dealer is saying is wrong as far as their diagnostics.

1 people found this helpful.
4,910

U gotta us know wat mechanic finds, hope u found one u can trust! What did Mercedes corp say!? Glad ur on the right track

1 people found this helpful.
100

Well my local mechanic found out what was draining the battery. Locking the car basically. The anti theft was the problem. Now just trying to figure out how to reset it or fix it. He saved me $2300 cause now it's working fine, just as long as I do not lock the car. Can't let that go for long. Plus side, he charged me nothing to figure that out, he checked everything The dealer said I needed. Did not need, figures. Update to come when I figure out this anti theft issue, unless anyone knows about how to reset of fix it?? Lol I'll have to read the manuals that came with the car.

2 people found this helpful.
16,005

It might be simpler to just get an after-market anti-theft device. To fix your existing one might require MB specific parts. If so - that will really get in your pocket. Congrats to your local mechanic. Whereas maybe he could not fix the problem - he was able to identify and work around it.

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

E-Class

Looking for a Used E-Class in your area?

CarGurus has 10,108 nationwide E-Class listings starting at $895.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Soranbook
    Reputation
    3,040
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    2,990
  • #3
    bobkat
    Reputation
    2,960
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class
962 Great Deals out of 16,746 listings starting at $1,500
Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class
338 Great Deals out of 6,924 listings starting at $3,799
Used Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
74 Great Deals out of 1,198 listings starting at $3,498
Used BMW 5 Series
841 Great Deals out of 11,279 listings starting at $2,500
Used BMW 3 Series
1,129 Great Deals out of 13,107 listings starting at $1,000
Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
129 Great Deals out of 2,477 listings starting at $3,995
Used BMW M5
42 Great Deals out of 537 listings starting at $10,180
Used BMW M3
55 Great Deals out of 1,098 listings starting at $9,900
Used BMW 7 Series
262 Great Deals out of 4,114 listings starting at $2,800
Used Chevrolet Corvette
703 Great Deals out of 12,046 listings starting at $3,200

Used Cars for Sale

2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale
84 Great Deals out of 1,738 listings starting at $45,200
2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale
34 Great Deals out of 256 listings starting at $33,858
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale
76 Great Deals out of 700 listings starting at $27,152
2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale
70 Great Deals out of 605 listings starting at $19,952
2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale
46 Great Deals out of 531 listings starting at $16,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.