Turbo John
New member
Having had my Sprinter since new 2004 it has performed flawless. It was only until last year it was flawless. After that it has been a nightmare with starting issues.
The following has been done to correct it.
1. Sent ECU to SOS diagnostics
2. Delete the immobilizer
3. Replace the Key Switch'
4.Check all the wiring /fuses etc
5.Check the Trans line for wicking
6. Added ground strap purchased at Auto Zone
All worked sometimes but not all the time...
I am happy to report the last fix works!!
Here is the report:
Trying to start my van today many times...flicker lights etc....during this time I took off the negative cable and noticed it was hot....the little cheap Mercedes piece that goes from batt to firewall.
That was clue to me that something was going on with the ground. It only showed up as I had my wife repeatledly trying cranking.
I thought this should not be hot.........I already had installed a cheap ground cable from autozone and emphasis is on cheap.......I thought this could not be the ground or could it
I went and got some #1 welding /cable marine copper cable and made a new short negative to replace the firewall ground strap.........I then used the same # 1 cable and made a new ground strap and put it to the firewall and went down to the factory location on the engine where the braided line from the factory was attached. Not to the frame where it is routed.
Took off the cheap autozone ground strap and cleaned the frame off and all places where the ground would touch with a high speed wire brush.
All the ground straps now are oversize and after about 1 hour or so I am ready to see what happens...
BINGO!! Its alive again ! No more starting issues..........
As I see this from the start it might have been poor grounds....many people said this but I grounded it half arse. This time I did it like the military would spend money and no shortcuts...especially getting rid of the little 8 guage negative ground cable that goes to the dash! Go big or Go home I said!
So for you guys having starting issues........I would suggest re-doing the negative cable and make it big and run another big one from the firewall ( need a longer bolt) to the engine and wire brush everything especially the frame.......then spray the red corrosion protector on everything.
So even though I thought I had a good ground I did not....This has been a lesson for me and I hope this saves some of you guys some grief!
So if you have a starting issue go big negative cable or stay home...cause your sprinter wont start!
The following has been done to correct it.
1. Sent ECU to SOS diagnostics
2. Delete the immobilizer
3. Replace the Key Switch'
4.Check all the wiring /fuses etc
5.Check the Trans line for wicking
6. Added ground strap purchased at Auto Zone
All worked sometimes but not all the time...
I am happy to report the last fix works!!
Here is the report:
Trying to start my van today many times...flicker lights etc....during this time I took off the negative cable and noticed it was hot....the little cheap Mercedes piece that goes from batt to firewall.
That was clue to me that something was going on with the ground. It only showed up as I had my wife repeatledly trying cranking.
I thought this should not be hot.........I already had installed a cheap ground cable from autozone and emphasis is on cheap.......I thought this could not be the ground or could it
I went and got some #1 welding /cable marine copper cable and made a new short negative to replace the firewall ground strap.........I then used the same # 1 cable and made a new ground strap and put it to the firewall and went down to the factory location on the engine where the braided line from the factory was attached. Not to the frame where it is routed.
Took off the cheap autozone ground strap and cleaned the frame off and all places where the ground would touch with a high speed wire brush.
All the ground straps now are oversize and after about 1 hour or so I am ready to see what happens...
BINGO!! Its alive again ! No more starting issues..........
As I see this from the start it might have been poor grounds....many people said this but I grounded it half arse. This time I did it like the military would spend money and no shortcuts...especially getting rid of the little 8 guage negative ground cable that goes to the dash! Go big or Go home I said!
So for you guys having starting issues........I would suggest re-doing the negative cable and make it big and run another big one from the firewall ( need a longer bolt) to the engine and wire brush everything especially the frame.......then spray the red corrosion protector on everything.
So even though I thought I had a good ground I did not....This has been a lesson for me and I hope this saves some of you guys some grief!
So if you have a starting issue go big negative cable or stay home...cause your sprinter wont start!