Stranded Mercedes: No-Crank, No-Comm...CAN you Believe it?

This 2012 Mercedes GL450 V8 was having some intermittent starting issues for a week, and now it's DEAD in the water.
No Crank, and we can't talk to any module on the CAN!
Great example on the diagnostic process of diagnosing a Network problem.
OSCILLOSCOPE is definitely required!
Doesn't take long to get the car started, but we still need to find the ROOT CAUSE of the problem.
You won't BELIEVE what caused the network to go dead :)
THINK TOOL PROS:
www.amazon.com/dp/B08XXWHQVJ?...
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@Diagnosedan]

Great to see you got to the Bottom of this and found the root cause. Amazing video, well done💪

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thank you Dan! Was a fun one for sure :)

[@beluxauto5968]

Yeah Danny. This one caught my attention. No comm and no crank on a 450. I was betting on something completely different.

[@nct9466]

The big famous Dutchman!

[@petar443]

Still remember the video " NO CRANK because of a door handle" 👍

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Just think, we just about diagnosed it together! LoL 😂😆

[@htownblue11]

Wow. Insane diag on this one. You never know what you’re gonna real in with can network issues. Yet again another NPR special. Amazing.

[@jdtractorman7445]

This is why people need to understand why diagnostic time is needed. I like how Mercedes was smart enough to put the can circuits in that one connector.

[@debrajohnson4689]

just because one can box goes down doesn't mean the entire car should not start what a horrible design

[@jonka1]

Yes but not smart enough to build a system that allows the car to work when a peripheral unit wire gets wet.

[@andrewvillanueva3722]

Ivan you are a master mechanic. I have learned so much from you and Eric O. You and Eric O. Have the best car repair videos on KZbin.

[@marion1600]

That CAN bridge is a really cool feature from mercedes.

[@HanifAbdulJalil]

I have been a subscriber for a couple of years now and you have never failed to amaze me with your diagnosis. Yes it can be tedious some times ranging from a few hours to a few days. But heck the structured approach leads to uncanny accuracy to finding out what and why the issues exist. Please do not stop giving vehicle owners the joy of accurately fixing their vehicles. Workshops usually take me for a ride and change all sorts of parts in a trial and error approach. I end up a whole lot poorer after spending so much and still not getting the issues fixed. Keep up the good work!

[@baxrok2.]

Unbelievable, but very cool to watch you diagnose it right down to the cause. Thanks Ivan!

[@stevefleck5892]

Excellent diag, analysis, and persistence. Thank you for sharing Ivan.

[@C10CDM2]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the great videos. Where I am working I don't do enough diagnostics anymore so it's very useful to follow along these videos and try to logic it out along with you. I was recently unwell and effectively bedridden for a year so it was very nice to have these videos to try and keep my brain working. Thanks again!

[@warrenfromga9945]

Another great diag by Ivan! I love it when you call it quick but then think more about it and go to the trouble to eliminate the other possible root causes. You held fire on the parts cannon because I suppose you could not 100% prove the problem. I enjoy you sharing your analytic thinking during the diag process. Thanks for sharing and teaching us.

[@noelcastle3986]

Another great diag and NPR a great outcome for the customer. I could imagine the parts canon for this one with someone not really on the ball like yourself doing the diag. Good to see Mercedes actually fitting isolation devices into the bus circuits to assist with fault location and isolation . Your number one in this game and well deserved.

[@EddieLeal]

Sir, you are a automotive repair savant. I worked as a mechanic for 20 year in the military. I don't recall ever meeting too many people with your level of auto repair knowledge/expertise. I wish you continued success and thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us. Take care/God speed!

[@stlmusic]

I thought the backup camera did come on right after the warning message around 17:12 as you switched out of reverse.

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

Nice catch

[@williamkelley7654]

Good catch.

[@rkan2]

Don't let the codes deceive you!

[@craiggoodwin9704]

Ivan, that turned out to be a tough one. Looks like you started out in the daylight and ended up taking a bath late into the night. Nice to see you persevered in the end. Thanks for Sharing!

[@nsaglian]

Amazing job, Ivan! Шикарная работа, Иван! Persistence is equally important to knowledge,

[@kennedysgarage3281]

You have some patience & determination to get to the end of an issue. Absolutely brilliant find & fix. I am jealous of your skill, well done Ivan 🙏🙏👍

[@brianw8963]

PHAD is #1 in all of KZbin in my book! Ivan makes this stuff not only interesting but enjoyable too! As always, nice work Ivan, and Thank You!!

[@tpformybunghole1974]

Good job. Watching you keeps the analytical part of my brain active because it gets little to no activity at my job.

[@markstevens1729]

I say again, from obscurity, Ivan is reminiscent of Robert DeNiro’s character in the movie “Brazil.” He was a rogue repairman, sneaking around fixing people’s ducting problems against government rules. Brilliant!

[@Roger21989]

Your diagnosing is amazing, I don’t know how you do it! I would be so lost.

[@ChrisJTAA]

Wonderful video, I have great respect for technicians that dont fear electrical systems and the issues that they can cause. Great work!

[@glen4cindy]

I love watching your videos. You are an awesome troubleshooter. I must say you love working out in the cold!

[@AKJeeper]

This was such an interesting diag! I love it when vehicles have nice little CAN junction blocks or combs. I've come across some of those on other vehicles too - some Chrysler products, probably an influence from the Daimler-Chrysler days. I will say that the CAN connectors may not be plugged in where service data says it should be (it all works the same anyway), so always good to verify (as you did) once you start unplugging them. Funny that such a simple problem can take down an entire vehicle. Awesome video, as usual!

[@AP9311]

Wow, it would not be pine hollow video if there wasn't any bonus videos!! Ivan always shines on finding all the faults!! Wow 30 modules! No wonder a sip of water will bring everything down!! I hate modules! Haha. This is classic example of German engineering at its finest with the trouble codes! Great video Ivan!! You rock, man!! Many thumbs up 👍 👌

[@sintacharming2772]

How crazy is that. Awesome job Ivan, as usual!!👍

[@Sandmansa]

You shocked me when you almost called that SRS module without confirming. I'm so relieved that you decided to dig deeper. Well done! That's nuts though with what that rear washer was doing. Holy cow! You know Ivan. You encourage me to try harder with my diagnostic work. And I want to thank you for that. I had a somewhat similar no comm, no start problem with a 09 Volvo C30 this past week. Turned out to be a brand new, OEM, power steering control module that went bad after a few days and was shorting out the entire can bus.

[@mh70ss]

Great diagnostic skills Ivan. You are the man.

[@phprofYT]

The beeping is the Mercedes sign to "Eject! Eject! Eject!" :) 🤣

[@lanwickum]

Excellent! Imagination couldn't come up with that one. Glad you are the type to keep looking.

[@ebrahimhasan9342]

Great Job, it's always good to check and verify the main issue, because it's not always bad module, just like when you first decide.,,, keep the great job up. I am learning a lot from you

[@outofthinair1]

BRILLIANT diagnosis ! BRAVO

[@jcos55chev19]

Fantastic troubleshooting!! It's amazing how a damaged or plugged up (maybe it was frozen and hose blew off) rear washer nozzle could cause a can bus failure like that. WOW.

[@peterevenhuis2663]

I think you made the costumer very happy and you restored the operation from the car and the part required is relatively cheap (still mercedes) . Great job.

[@dtandfam8100]

Very cool stuff. I'm glad to see that you really get focused on finding the root problem. For me, I feel like it becomes an obsession but in a good way. Lol. Time spent poking around is worth the knowledge! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@sambitar8448]

IVAN, YOU ARE SO PRESITANT IN YOUR DIAGNOSIS BEYOUND BELIEF. IT IS A SUPREME JOB TO THE BOTTOM OF ALL ISSUES INVOLVED. THE OWNER IS GOING TO LOVE YOU.

[@roxanneabbott8424]

What an awesome case Ivan!!! Great work!

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

That's a weird cause, and it took the whole vehicle down! Good analysis and the proper set of tools make for a repair that would otherwise be a long head-scratcher.

[@debrajohnson4689]

trash car

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

@@debrajohnson4689 LOL

[@Frank-pv1hp]

Took Ivan longer to find the water leak than the CAN failure! Awesome video and fix

[@agostinodibella9939]

Great diagnostic video Ivan! It’s funny how a simple washer fluid leak ends up screwing up the electronics! Mercedes should add wiper washer operation confirmation sensors!

[@stagggerlee]

Got it down to only a grand or 2 to fix the air suspension... Awesome! Probably only about a 100 for the nozzle... Good job finding the non standard problem. Shows that the eyeball is the #1 tool in the end.

[@jackiemay9471]

well done love the extended bonus and bonus bonus

[@arnaldofettuccine5227]

Another Wow! Video - Well done, your patience seems to be your gift 👍👍😀

[@InverJaze]

Really good diagnosis Ivan. I have an old Mercedes, I don't want a new one. Why? Because the newer cars are too complicated. The main function of a car is to run and get you from A to B. If it doesn't do this it is worthless junk.

[@DIYDaveOK]

Ivan, did you notice the thumbnail for the video says 1995 Mercedes, but the actual vehicle is 2012? 😁. Great diag and resolution, as always!!

[@mark98070]

Great that you took your diag further after condemning the restraint module.

[@scientist100]

A lot of manufacturers have that splice of CAN networks. Unfortunately not all cars have it but newer cars do. I have seen them in newer hellcats that people also use to steal cars from what I saw when one of cars was stolen.

[@martwilson677]

you absolute legend... you just saved me a heap of time, i have an ML that had a power drain and it was the 3 pin plug all green and funky inside... batterys holding steady at 0.04 drain..was pulsing from 1.7 down to 0.80..cleaned the funk and all seems well for now...thx again

[@robertweir9034]

Ivan, awesome- wish all cars had that central tie-in.

[@JVerschueren]

This vintage of Mercedes is notorious for CAN bus problems. My boss's dad had a 2012 S350 which would randomly open and close its windows and cut out on the motorway. This was eventually traced down to a bad crimp on one of the connectors... the car had to be taken half apart and put back together again to replace the offending harness under warranty.

[@romanosautomotive]

Great diagnosis all the way to the end. Wowee I love that passenger footwell CAN connector, if we could only always be so lucky!

[@kain0m]

Until that thing decides to become corroded...

[@cullenmiller8170]

Tempomat is the cruise control. You seem to use TPM and TPMS as the same module. I'm glad you kept going since you had the wrong connector.

[@poorboyman5565]

"Lets plug in that connector even though it's a pain in the ass to get to!" that was classic, Ivan. As always fine job.

[@juancarloscrane8089]

Fining the information for Eurocars is challenging solving the problem is another challenge good kork Ivan

[@andrewmarkland9411]

Stunning one this Ivan. Mucho kudos.

[@wattie1050]

Another great Diag and repair Ivan ,I have to admit I love the bonus clips and to get a bonus bonus !!!! 👍 is well? A bonus 😁 great work 👍

[@honorharrington4546]

A clogged rear washer nozzle caused a no crank condition... Incredible! You earned your money on this one.

[@ethanpn2003]

Can you address this? My rear washer line broken in the lift gate. And no crank no start now

[@honorharrington4546]

@@ethanpn2003 Did you watch the Video? He diagnoses this exact problem.

[@neilmurphy845]

That's a great design how you can pull each pin out to test the system every car should have that

[@dendkmac]

Really cool how Mercedes does the module wiring...excellent video.

[@bbeauregard4181]

Nice Ivan great quick diagnosis!

[@adamdalejohnson]

You have mad trouble shooting skills! Good job. It’s such a awesome feeling when you track down the root cause of the problem!

[@robpeabo509]

It is great that you continued looking otherwise the initial call on the restraint module will have been a costly error/

[@markcollins457]

Great work, you always have the tenacity to keep going. It's nice to find the problem but finding the cause is better. You know like finding a blown fuse and give the guy box of 20 Amp fuses and send him on his way lol.

[@alward9901]

Ivan one day your business is going to really expand if it has not already . As always excellent video 👍🇺🇸

[@caseyhill3915]

Ivan my 2018 Ram truck also has this CAN "hub". It is mounted up under the dash above the emergency brake petal on the firewall. This is how you bypass the security gateway module on the 2018 and later Ram's.

[@jaygold4467]

Brilliant detective work.

[@michaelweatherhead9470]

That was probably a mistake by Mercedes making it somewhat easy.

[@mikefoehr235]

Was a bad day for them

[@dlewis9760]

MB engineer, watching the video with a co-worker: "Hans!!!!!! He figured it out!!!!!! Mein Gott!!!!!"

[@RandallFlaggNY]

Shhhh... don't say anything about this or the guy will get fired!

[@fjr2go]

What a diagnostic ! Awesome.

[@agoodneighborautorepair2176]

Amazing case,your persistent pay back,blessings

[@acmotorcars]

Great job Fantastic Diag work Just subscribed! (glad to see people with competence)

[@georgebeuselinck9255]

Excellent initial diagnosis using the wiring diagram, DTCs to point you in the right direction, and a bit of luck (starting near the offending circuit). Mercedes gets kudos for having the cluster of can lines in an easily accessible place. Come to think of it, my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee had a similar connector near the DLC connector (at the time of Daimler-Chrysler, wonder if that was a coincidence.) As always, watching your process is an education!

[@Dirtyharry70585]

It only a plus if that connector is not damaged like a right corner or door impact. I would like all manufactures to put it under a hidden door center console.

[@khalidkfy7368]

Excellent diagnosis

[@edjeep]

your skills are AMAZING! thank you for your videos

[@flycatchful]

You are an incredible technician.

[@bernardaflores1720]

If it has a sun roof, does where you will find the rear drains for it. Great video!

[@robbflynn4325]

Top work Ivan!

[@taz8436]

great video always enjoy watching your videos thank you for sharing all your hard work

[@robertmedina6875]

Chrysler on some models has a nice bus interface like Mercedes Benz . Dodge grand Caravan and Chrysler 300 to the best of my knowledge. There are probably more models and makes. Very educational video Ivan! I pickup something new on all your videos. Looking forward to the next video for sure!!!!!

[@neverstoplearning382]

Amazing finds Ivan.

[@blueskiesmobileauto4253]

Very cool diag and fix! Mercedes coming through with that bus connector

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

We'll see it again on the Bro Jeep ;)

[@tylerwilliams3868]

wow you make these can issues look so issues. i work at FCA and some of our vehicles have a very similar layout (we call them Star connectors) but it is very nice that they have these connectors. i will say the ones on FCA can be interchanged from any position in the star connector so be careful of that but youll clearly know by the module not responding on the bus. great video as always

[@tylerwilliams3868]

i got reply happy clearly you found out that the switched connectors could be an issue lol

[@markrup6369]

Ivan: "I don't know if there'll be any bonus footage." Also Ivan: Bonus footage is 3x as long as the main video...

[@carmo9693]

Backup camera worked 17:12 I saw the driveway and car on the passenger side rear section. Watching as I comment. Also even if you did not have a scope wouldn't a volt meter show the decrease in line voltage so you would know you were on to something. I like the diag procedure on how you do things. Great video so far.

[@user-rb6ic3vu9s]

OMG my husband was researching a similar problem with our GL 450 today and upon watching your video that's exactly what it was. Water in rear corner soaking the wires. Thank you so much!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

That's amazing! Glad you figured it out 😉👌

[@leonardthyme]

I worked on a 90s Mercedes. Had a parasitic draw that kept running the battery down over a short period of time. The issue was the trunk emblem was missing and water was intruding via the grommet holes getting into the wiring harness.

[@bigdaddymak1439]

I was waiting to see in there was water intrusion Mercs are horrible about that in the boot. Didn't expect the washer being the reason. Great job my man!!

[@AKJeeper]

I think water intrusion is a German car thing. I've come across so many (mostly BMWs and Audis/VWs) that had entire modules soaked because they thought it was a bright idea to mount them in the lowest spot possible in a car. I'm not sure if the German car manufacturers were trying to make their cars double as U-boats, or what... lol

[@noelelnolo9642]

U definitely follow the corre procedure for troubleshooting electrical problems. Great video!!

[@JackS425]

Hey finally something I can relate to, I daily drive a GL320. I got it dirt cheap because the network was down because someone spilled def under the drivers seat and took out the gateway. These things have terrible electronics placement, especially for a "offroad" SUV which they're surprisingly capable offroad. Took mine to Moab this winter and it did awesome.

[@baldyslapnut.]

I had an 06 R320 LWB. Surprisingly capable in mud due to the traction control linked to 4matic. While we owned it 2 electrical problems completely immobilised the car. 1) osr abs sensor failed, car would start and engage gears but abs locked on instantly preventing any forward motion. 2) leaves clogged the cabin air intake and the hopper flooded shorting the fan blower connectors and draining battery completely. Luckily MB Mobilo sevice got us moving again in bith cases. Worth keeping genuine MB service history going for this alone. I drilled a small hole in hopper to act as an overflow to remove future problems. Both problems were simple to solve but stupidly inconvenient to us.

[@JackS425]

@@baldyslapnut. this one has developed a thirst for oil so I replaced it with a GMC envoy. I got sick of dealing with the German diesel nonsense. They’re great cars, I just wish that the electrical issues were the only issues they have. Dealing with the electrical issues AND having basic mechanical failures like oil consumption and timing chain issues is too much, I don’t want my daily driver to be a project car.

[@AKChryslertech]

That was really cool finding that bus. That would be nice for all companies to do that.

[@flavio1997]

Look friend, I'm seeing this from Brazil, clear one of my doubts, I ended up reversing these CAN network connectors and the car didn't start but would have the connector possibilities

[@billneu9520]

Your like detective and most detective never give up great work Bill N LINY

[@nigelwelch6201]

Great job Ivan as always, thinking of getting my own scope would you recommend as a starter, a picco two channel scope, or go all out and get a four or six channel and would you recommend the Thinktool, in another video I saw you use a different Thinktool possibly similar to a Thinktool pad 10 is this any better? Love your videos Ivan

[@yamaha37776]

Absolutely epic content Ivan! Awesome video as always! Out of curiosity, the bus comb, on the wiring diagram the connections were numbered, was the physical comb numbered in any way? Were the connections “timed or keyed” so that they physically couldn’t be plugged into the wrong slot or would the connectors plug in anywhere on the comb? Just curious.

[@jonka1]

That was my thought. Unplug several and mix them up.

[@wyattfamily8997]

It would add much to your channel if we were party to your discussions with customers regarding what you found, how it was repaired, and any recommendations you had for them for the future reliability of their vehicle. Just my opinion, from Australia.

[@madds6678]

Ivan, TPM (tempomat) or CC as it sometimes was called is Cruise control. Redundancy select is the P ( park signal) line from the EIS (electronic ignition switch) to ISM (intelligent servo module) the electric module bolted to the selector shaft on the side of the gearbox, seeing that fault won’t be long till he won’t be able to select D & be stuck in P. The CAN blocks are usually correctly numbered but many times someone’s been there before & messed the order up. It’s not unusual to see a non start due to the network corrupted welcome to my world 😁 glad it was a current fault & relatively easy find, you struck lucky on that one it’s usually a intermittent & pin hole short buried in the loom 😩 Well done 👍🏻

[@aldrinalmario1513]

Another awesome diagnosis and fix Ivan! I understand that getting the connectors submerged in washed fluid is the main culprit in bringing down the CAN signals, and you being able to pinpoint the source of washer fluid intrusion was an investigative prowess Ivan. Thanks again for taking us along! Cheers!

[@calholli]

You can turn off those beeps with an Xtool D8. (maybe your scan tools can too). If you go into (I believe) the body sub section-- under special functions, you can turn off the door buzzer. You can also turn off the seat belt reminder, and even the auto door locks that turn on when you drive away. I know the Xtool can do it, not sure about the other's.

[@Hitman-ds1ei]

AWSOME work !!

[@JamesLee-oe7mt]

2012 and the infotainment looks like a relic.... I'll keep my timeless buttons and knobs 🙂

[@PatricksDIY]

17:09 You were to inpatient for the backup cam, the head-unit must be powered on and booted up in order for it to work, and when you went to put it back in park, the backup cam displayed for a moment. Just a note about the backup cam, for some reason think tool's do not communicate with the rear backup cam, or overhead console for some reason they will show as gray or not installed.

[@jamesbruno5896]

Wow that was a good one Ivan!