Check Those Keys!!!

[Benzowner]

yeh as is said above, the actual starting does not need batter power, just to unlock the doors..

This was as I thought. But my key with new batteries when pressed flashes the red light on the fob but the car does not unlock or lock. If I then open the car with the little metal bit, the alarm goes off, so put the key in the ignition and nothing. The alarm still sounds, the steering lock will not disengage and the car wont start. However, with my other key, NO batteries in, insert in the ignition, alarm stops and I can start the car. It must be the transponder which has gone off tune with the car. I have been told that this cannot be repaired and I need a new key

 

[jaymanek]

well there is a limit on the keys as to how many times it can be used to start the car.. Not sure of the exact figure...

 

[Dave Kerr]

Similar thing happeend to me some years ago with my C180. Came out of the office, pressed the unlock button, heard the doors open but the indicators didnt flash. Thought it odd. Got in, inserted key. Nothing. Car as dead as a dodo. Tried locking/unlocking, walked home (1/2 mile, yes I know its very near and why did I drive etc etc) got spare key. Same thing. Ran Mercedes. They sent a bloke within 1/2 hour. Told me it was the alarm immobiliser failing due to a blown bulb in the rear view mirror! He removed the bulb, shorted the contacts, taped it up with insulation tape and off I went in my car!

Turned out I needed a whole new rear view mirror. Work was done later that week under warranty. Phew!

I just wonder if it is that easy to hot wire a C class? I hope not.

Bulb in rear view mirror!! where?, I can't remember noticing one.
I put my spare key in a safe place last year before I went on holiday, I haven't seen it since!!!

Dave
C220CDI

 

[Mark300SL]

I got 2 new keys fromn the stealers (another story!) for the SL when I thought Allison had lost our only key

These had to be coded to the alarm system before they worked the locks

I found out after about half an hour of cursing MB Stealers - before I forced myslef to do the "unmanly" thing and RTFM !

Mark

 

[GregE240]

Well, I got my replacement keys. New ones are a bit smaller than the old ones and both work perfectly. Cost just over £100 for two keys. Well pleased with them, and my missus has agreed to have one on her keyring, so hopefully won't get caught out again.

From ordering to delivery took just over a week.

Greg

 

[DrNick]

I got a new key for my W210 from the dealers. There was a great fuss made about proving identity and ownership, and then a key was ordered. When it arrived it worked the car with no programming necessary. The dealer just put it in the ignition and turned the key. The car started. It must have been programmed at the factory from the chassis number or something.

 

[pepper&boulou]

Well, my missus and I got back from Florida yesterday morning. i used a parking company called "Purple Parking" at Heathrow, and their "Meet and Greet" service where they meet you in your car at Departures, and drive the car to their car park for you. When you come back, you call them as soon as you land and they bring the car back to you.

So I phoned them from a payphone as soon as we got off, so we went outside to Departures. And waited. And waited. And waited. I went back in and called them to be given the dreaded news "Your car won't start". They sent out a car for us and we got to the depot. Basically, they could unlock the car, and the battery was fine, but as soon as you put the key in the ignition, you didn't hear the "clunk" of the steering lock, and the key wouldn't turn.

I have no breakdown cover. I know, I know. Well, its a Mercedes. They don't break down. Ever. So I phoned Mobilo-Life. "Ah, sorry sir, but due to the age of your car it is no longer covered by us, but we can send out an engineer at £180 and if he can't fix it, we will recover you home, but that will cost you more. But could we update your contact details so we can send you junk mail?"

So I called the RAC "Yes, you can join and we'll send someone out to you but we can't recover you". Eh? "Yes, as this is an emergency and your first call as you've just joined, we won't recover you today." Well, thats a fat lot of use.

In desperation, I called Andy Gayle. He immediately told me the keyfob was shot (cheap-ish) or the ignition barrel (not quite so cheap). I played around with the key a bit, inserted it in and......THUNK! Turned the key and the engine roared into life. Woo-har! We're going home love, chuck those bags in!

So I have a duff key, but my spare is fine. Which incidentally, was at home. My wife does not have a key for my car as she doesn't drive it much. So I'm off to the dealer, armed with my V5 to order two shiny new ones.

MORAL: check your keys tonight. Make sure both work, because you never know when you might need it. Oh, and if it fails, it won't be on the driveway, it'll be about 120 miles away from home.

All the best,
Greg

Hope it didn't dampen your holiday too much

 

[GregE240]

Nah, Hurricane Frances put paid to that. 5.5 inches of rain in a day is a sight to behold though. Good job we had a rapper spec 4x4 or we'd have been, well, wet!