My mercedes vito 111cdi seems to have a major electrical problem. It uses one of those stupid electronic keys for the ignition. I have had problems in the past with the ignition as when the key is inserted into the ignition it sometimes does nothing at all and the key cannot be turned.

Today I have had this problem about four times, then tonight I set off on a short journey. I put the key in the ignition and nothing happened, then after removing it and reinserting it several times I got the van started. I switched the lights on and the interior light came on and the radio went off

Then I switched on the wipers, which would not work as it was chucking it down

Then the indicators would not work, or the interior fan or the windows

The instrument cluster would also not illuminate and when I got under a street lamp I could see that nothing on the dash was working ( speedo, fuel gauge or temperature )

When I arrived, after travelling 3 miles with no wipers or indicators ( sorry to anyone who was at a roundabout ) I switched off the lights and then the instrument cluster illuminated

The hazards worked, but not much else electrically. I took the key out of the ignition and tried to start it again, but the ignition is playing up again by this point I thought stuff it as it was chucking it down.

Looks like I might have to get a taxi to work in the morning

I must admit that this van is a pile of sh*t compared to the last van that I had. Mercedes just could not leave thigs alone and have over complicated the electrics on theis van, it even has an "electrics" box that is permanently fan cooled!

Looks like this might mean a trip to the overpriced main Mercedes dealer

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Know of a good Fiat Punto going cheap

sorry UHM but i hate modern elecs in cars although your issue does sound like a bad earth or dodgy connection somewhere.... however this is a merc and although on their cars of similar age they had sorted their elec issues out (issues which saw them drop sales like a lead balloon) perhaps they didnt cast their eye on their commercial fleet?

if you have warranty then take it back; or try a "good" auto electrician.... or start with a merc forum (benzworld . org) is a good one.

cell in the battery maybe dying? alternator maybe playng up?
or as RAF says bad earth or dodgy connection

You might try resetting the electronics, disconnect the battery (if you want to know how come back) for a few minutes.

This often resets the onboard computer.

While it's disconnected take the opportunity to clean the terminals and coat in vaseline.


John

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I thought vaseline was an insulator
I usually just use copper grease

Vaselines great for battery terminals

And other things

Opps old navy again



You coat the terminals after reconnection.

John

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ok gotcha John

Chez Are you sure it's not the battery in the key? Whenever I have my Merc serviced they change the battery in the key. Just a suggestion.

Peter C

Ps Must confess my old firm leased a load of Sprinters, did not last the course so they leased Transits. Seemed to be better.

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Dissconecting the battery will do little or nothing at best, at worsed it allow the computor to loose all its settings, and go into 'limp home' which will over fuel and run at very reduced speed.

It will more than likely have EOBD? European On Board Diagnostics, which will generate and store faults.
Looking like an expensive main dealer trip!

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Thanks for the replies


When I got up the next day I got up an hour earlier incase I had to get a taxi to work, but everything was working fine

I have only just seen the replies now, but yesterday I bought some rain x and treated the windscreen incase my wipers ever pack up again. I also bought two new batteries for the remote keyfob, I also cleaned where the key fits into the ignition barrel with some WD40 and so far so good. I have not had any problems with the key since, or any of the weird electrical faults. Hopefully it will not happen again- fingers crossed!

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Rain X very good stuff.

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