Originally Posted by
Romad
New to me '05 Xfire. This has been an intermittant problem over the last few days. Got stranded at I-Hop Xmas day and had AAA tow it home. Once removed from truck it started right up. Good for two days. Went out in the evening next day and tried to start three times and die. Fourth try no crank and only dash lights on. I removed the RCM and checked solder joints and are fine. Re-installed RCM and started fine several times. Couple hours later I tried starting and same no start scenario as above. Seems I "may" have a defective SKREEM module. Could weak batteries in the FOB give the same symptoms? Mine are 6.2v.
Update: 12/28/22 @ 1:25 Just went outside and it started right up several times. ?????????
At one time, SKREEMS were said to "die and never come back without help". But lately, I've read of SKREEMS that seem to act just like yours is acting.
What we must be careful of, is condemning a SKREEM that is losing battery power at times. That would cause the SKREEM to not respond to the ECU and cause a "bad SKREEM" symptom to come and go, just like yours is doing.
Power is fed to the SKREEM via fuse 35 (in most model years). If the remote lock/unlock buttons work, then there is power to the SKREEM. The easy way to test is to wait for the car to refuse to start, and hit lock or unlock, if the locks respond, there is power to the SKREEM. If the locks do not respond, there may not be power to the SKREEM or the SKREEM is really dead.
(The SKREEM is also the receiver for the lock/unlock/panic buttons. It is conceivable that the buttons will work when the car wont start.)
There is no "DIY fix" for a bad SKREEM.
Josh Chase is owner of the MSS and he can certainly guide you in getting this figured out. If he contradicts anything Iv'e said, listen to HIM not ME.
YOu can click here to contact him:
https://themercedesswapshop.com/