Last week a warning light came up on my Mercedes 180D diesel car. Only out to get diesel,following this I tried to start car using the button starter and nothing happened. RAC called out, during that time I google the warning sign and it relates to ENGINE MANAGEMENT. RAC guy turned up , tested battery as radio would no longer now work-the battery was fine. He disconnected the black box and reset the engine management. Car still would not start, but he then lifted the start button in the car, and inserted the key fob which fired up the car. He ran his own diagnostic and felt the "glow heaters" needed renewing.

I have taken it to a Mercedes Service dealer (not a fully franchised Merc dealer). He tested it, got the warning signal to disappear and the starter button worked again but only for one day only-now down to using the key fob again. They thought it looked like glows needed replacing but when challenged said it would not necessarily cure the issue, and its an expensive job

The question is why do the glow warms work with the use of the key fob, but not by using the start button.Would appreciate any advice

Possibly because the start button energises the starter before giving the glow pugs time to warm up. My Kia diesel handbook advises to turn the ignition on with the key, then wait 10 seconds for the glow plugs to warm up before trying the starter. This is especially the case in cold weather.

Your glow plugs might be knackered, but it sounds more like a problem with the keyless start button to me.

When you say it wouldn’t start, do you mean it was turning over trying to start, or nothing at all?

leedsdave wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:44 am

Possibly because the start button energises the starter before giving the glow pugs time to warm up. My Kia diesel handbook advises to turn the ignition on with the key, then wait 10 seconds for the glow plugs to warm up before trying the starter. This is especially the case in cold weather.

Many thanks Leedsdave

BurnleyFC wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:59 am

Your glow plugs might be knackered, but it sounds more like a problem with the keyless start button to me.

When you say it wouldn’t start, do you mean it was turning over trying to start, or nothing at all?

Hi BFC-using the starter button, absolutely nothing happens-maybe just a faint click.Insert the key fob, rotate the key and fires first time. The batteries in my key fob are both relatively knew for info

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 12:07 pm

Hi BFC-using the starter button, absolutely nothing happens-maybe just a faint click.Insert the key fob, rotate the key and fires first time. The batteries in my key fob are both relatively knew for info

It’s not your glow plugs then. It sounds like an electrical fault with the keyless start system.

There's a guy called "Diesel Bob" who works off a farm on the way out of Ribchester to Longridge who is very good
http://www.dieselbob.co.uk/RibbleValley.aspx

Given what you say about no response on the start button, I agree with BFC that the fault probably lies in the keyless start button circuit. Still, at least you can get by using the key.

BurnleyFC wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 12:08 pm

It’s not your glow plugs then. It sounds like an electrical fault with the keyless start system.

Again BFC-many thanks. You may have saved me an unnecessary job and cost

leedsdave wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 12:40 pm

Given what you say about no response on the start button, I agree with BFC that the fault probably lies in the keyless start button circuit. Still, at least you can get by using the key.

Cheers Leeds -always great to get a second opinion backing another one's (BFC's)

Get away from the occasional bickering seen on this Board and you have some very informative and extremely helpful posters for topics as diverse as mental issues, technical advice, where to holiday etc.Thanks to all for their feedback on my question

jojomk1 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 12:10 pm

There's a guy called "Diesel Bob" who works off a farm on the way out of Ribchester to Longridge who is very good
http://www.dieselbob.co.uk/RibbleValley.aspx

Thats really appreciated-may well contact him

https://adixonautos.co.uk/

Tony Dixon, mobile vehicle technician with top spec diagnostic equipment.
Ex AA man and former neighbour who sorted my cars out a few times.

gawthorpe_view wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 1:29 pm

https://adixonautos.co.uk/

Tony Dixon, mobile vehicle technician with top spec diagnostic equipment.
Ex AA man and former neighbour who sorted my cars out a few times.

Thanks Gawthorpe-he sounds just the guy to sort it. Sadly I am in Leics so I need to find Tony's equivalent down here

The issue is the key, I suspect
The key blade start system is a fail safe, but the remote keyless start isn’t talking to the key

There may well be an issue with the glow plugs, but I having those done won’t fix the key problem

Do you have a spare key that you could have your person instead of the main key?

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 06, 2024 3:08 pm

The issue is the key, I suspect
The key blade start system is a fail safe, but the remote keyless start isn’t talking to the key

There may well be an issue with the glow plugs, but I having those done won’t fix the key problem

Do you have a spare key that you could have your person instead of the main key?

Its a good suggestion and tried it independently with my spare key-but exactly same result, ie the start button still does not work, but the key fob starts the car