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Old 10-09-2024, 04:06 PM   #1
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Electric Step Issues, Now Rig Won't Start?

Hi All,
New to the forums and looking for some help. Can't get my 2016 MBS 2401W 3500 to start (we bought it in Feb 2021). Never had this issue before.

The quick backstory is we are trying to sell (sad) and so had brought the rv to the house to show. Noticed that the electric step was not functioning. This had happened once before but 'self-corrected' so thought it was a fluke thing. But yesterday it happened again, worked intermittently and then stopped.

Prospective buyers came buy to view rig, I explained situation to them, they wanted to buy regardless so went to bank to proceed with purchase. Meanwhile, I decided to try troubleshooting the step. I unplugged 4-way connector on the Kwikee electric step, plugged it back in, the step light came on so determined it was getting power. Checked for any loose wires found none.

Buyers came back, jumped in to drive it away and rv wouldn't start. Myriad dash lights came on as it beeped but no start. The one icon that remained on was this one that looks almost like car doors are open.

Pretty sure I somehow disrupted the engines computerized system. Looked up how to reset, tried the disconnect battery terminals trick, still... crickets. RV started fine until I disconnected that plug on step. Then nothing.

Any help most appreciated and thanks in advance,
Randy
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Old 10-10-2024, 07:48 AM   #2
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Has the chassis battery ever been replaced? If not maybe just a bad battery.
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Old 10-10-2024, 10:54 AM   #3
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Agree with Copier.
MB chassis battery will self discharge (fairly quickly) if no battery maintainer is used to keep it up. The electronics never go completely to sleep in the Sprinter 3500, there is always parasitic draw.
So, assuming the side steps are powered by the chassis battery (this seems to be the norm for most upfitters) it's probably too weak to start the engine, after sitting idle for a while, if the steps also won't work.
Does your 2016 MBS 2401W have an inverter that feeds some 120VAC outlets in the coach?
There's an "always hot" 12VDC power outlet underneath the cockpit center console pull out cup holder in my 2017 Sprinter 3500 cab chassis. If you can find a battery maintainer with a cigar lighter style plug on the output side of the maintainer, and plug the input side into a 120VAC inverted outlet that's connected to your coach battery(ies?), that will maintain your chassis battery charge level off of your coach batteries.
This may be overkill if you're selling the rig, but the new owners may be interested.
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Old 10-10-2024, 02:03 PM   #4
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Thanks for the feedback guys. Had initially checked battery level and it was fine (12.4V). So don't think this is battery issue. And after more research don't think working on the step was the cause. The fact it had started four times that same morning without incident adds to the conundrum.

So here's another scenario that came to me last night - Jeff, the guy who had just bought the rv, got in the driver's seat to drive away. A few minutes went by before he got out of the cab and said he couldn't find the correct key for the ignition. There were several keys attached to keychain/fob and the actual ignition key is a flip key, 'hidden' on side of fob which requires pushing a button to open. I showed him that, he got back on the rv and tried to start. All of the dashboard lights came on, it beeped six or seven times but no start. Nothing. So now I'm wondering if he tried inserting some of the other keys into ignition switch and created contact that possibly blew a fuse or caused a short somewhere?? Thoughts? I am currently trying to track down where then ignition fuse might be located. LOTS of fuses on this baby...
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Old 10-11-2024, 08:48 AM   #5
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Once the key fob is "opened" and the "key" is inserted in the keyhole, it requires a clockwise turn to the first on/run position, which "wakes up" the dash and causes the "glow plug enable" beeping sound, it must then be turned further clockwise to the stop, to engage the starter motor. When the engine starts, release it back counterclockwise to the on/run position.
Is this what your "buyer" is doing? Your prior post makes it sound like he's just putting the key in, turning it to the first on/run position which triggers the start/glow plug beeping sequence, and expecting it to turn over?
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Old 10-21-2024, 07:33 AM   #6
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OP, any updates to this saga?
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Old 10-21-2024, 11:04 AM   #7
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Perhaps it was as simple as following the correct key turning sequence to start the vehicle?
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Old 10-21-2024, 11:58 PM   #8
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Oh that it had been that easy.

Saga continues. After a week of attempts at troubleshooting our service date with Mercedes came due. Had to have it towed to service center and after three days there the only word is that there is possible water damage to ignition system?

Baffling that we have never had issues with starting the rig and the one time it won't start is when I wasn't in the cab. I mean, I believe in coincidence but...

To be continued...
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Old 10-22-2024, 12:21 AM   #9
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Have you replaced the key batteries? Much to do with starting the 3500 has to do with a healthy key, the ignition system is complex and a little eccentric, and fresh batteries are a must.
Water damage? How exactly? Were there floods in Oregon recently?
Beyond that, what else has been tried, during the "week of troubleshooting attempts"?
A short specific bullet list will do.
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Old 10-26-2024, 10:52 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Winterbagoal View Post
Have you replaced the key batteries? Much to do with starting the 3500 has to do with a healthy key, the ignition system is complex and a little eccentric, and fresh batteries are a must.
Water damage? How exactly? Were there floods in Oregon recently?
Beyond that, what else has been tried, during the "week of troubleshooting attempts"?
A short specific bullet list will do.
Unless they changed from the old T1N Sprinter, the key fob battery has nothing to do with the starting, it is simply for the transmitter for the lock/unlock of the doors and alarm. There is a separate chip in the fob that is energized by a magnetic coil that surrounds the ignition lock, this allows the chip to emit a weak signal that is read by the coil which is connected to the security module. This works the same way a tap type credit card reader works, emitting power that energizes the chip so it can emit a signal.

Charles
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Old 10-27-2024, 01:12 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesinGA View Post
Unless they changed from the old T1N Sprinter, the key fob battery has nothing to do with the starting, it is simply for the transmitter for the lock/unlock of the doors and alarm. There is a separate chip in the fob that is energized by a magnetic coil that surrounds the ignition lock, this allows the chip to emit a weak signal that is read by the coil which is connected to the security module. This works the same way a tap type credit card reader works, emitting power that energizes the chip so it can emit a signal.

Charles
Of course, how silly of me.
Thanks for reminding me to unsubscribe, as the OP is MIA.
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Old 10-28-2024, 12:03 AM   #12
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Hey ya'll. Play nice. I was just looking for some help here. Looking at an $11,000 estimate (no added zeros there) so have been a little preoccupied. Will post more when I know more...
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Old 10-28-2024, 02:41 PM   #13
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Damn, that's a lot of zeros! Did they give you any indication as to what exactly was damaged or how water could have gotten in to damage it?

Sorry to hear that news..
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