If the data between these units becomes corrupted or out of sync, the immobilizer blocks the engine from starting to prevent theft. Common Triggers
Vito with 5G‑Tronic (722.6) has the ESM shifter module. A dead ESM causes “Start Error 1.3” because the ECU waits for “Park” signal. – Unplug ESM. If error changes, replace ESM (used units need coding).
Start your diagnosis with a In 80% of cases, the fix is either a synchronized EIS/ECU (via XENTRY), a new key, or repairing one broken wire. Avoid downloading sketchy “skacat” files – no software patch can replace proper hardware diagnosis. mercedes sprinter vito start error 1.3 skacat-
The "Start Error 1.3" or "Skacat" error message typically appears on the dashboard of Mercedes Sprinter and Vito vehicles, indicating a problem with the starting system. This error code is often accompanied by a warning light or a beep, signaling that the vehicle's computer has detected a fault.
To diagnose the Start Error 1.3, follow these steps: If the data between these units becomes corrupted
✅ Battery voltage >12.4V ✅ CAN termination 60 ohms ✅ All keys tested ✅ XENTRY codes – focus on N73 and N3/9 ✅ EIS supply fuses OK ✅ No water damage to EIS or SAM
Look for codes in:
The "Start Error" is an immobilizer failure. Your vehicle's security system is made of three main parts that must synchronize perfectly to start the engine: Contains a transponder chip.
Located behind the instrument cluster. The ECU (Engine Control Unit): The "brain" of the engine. – Unplug ESM
The term refers to a specific legacy software tool used by technicians to repair these corrupted data files. 1. Software Repair (The "1.3" Method)
XENTRY showed code in EIS: “Supply voltage too low – implausible data from ECU”.