Help I killed my wife’s key,and it looks like it’s gonna cost us the car…

[JoelChester]

Long story short,I accidentally BBQ’d my wife’s only car key (2001 CLK200 komp,convertible elegance) this happened in deepest Welsh countryside.So we had to leave the car (which I left unlocked) orders a brand new key off Merc dealer,the key is not the same as the old ‘all’ plastic one,this has chrome on it…anyways…£240,and five days later…I returned to the scene of the crime (a 4 hour drive away) but,the ‘new’ key doesn’t do anything,I’ve verified it’s working,(Red light) but it won’t unlock/lock or start the car) I tried all the initialisation ‘things’ that I could find,but NADA ! So,I took the ECU out and the key switch,in the hole that something could be done remotely,or even to verify that the ECU is the original one for the car,the Merc dealer reckons there is no way to tell…I thought it would be in a build log or something…so,having done nothing but search the web,I have come to the conclusion that the only ‘fix’ is,a breakers yard ‘deal’ on ..ahem…a key,the key switch,the electric steering lock AND an ECU…do any of you lot know any better,I can’t get anyone to come to where the car is,and I can’t even recover the car as the steering lock is on…please help,my wife is seriously BUSTIN my karma ! Cheers in advance…ps…the guy at the Merc garage said..I think Mercs are only allowed ten keys,so maybe the brand new one we bought is the 11th !? Like some sort of ‘cats lives’ thing ?…which I doubt very much…?!?? I have attached the ECU label photos,the key label and the info from the key switch…it all seems VERY complicated !

 

[Dickster]

I think it’s possible to get it recovered as this car was delivered on a recovery truck how to move a car with a locked steering wheel

And when I had two new keys made recently all old keys were deleted, so if there is a maximum number, you should be able to delete all the old ones.

Good luck!

 

[wrdcc01]

How badly damaged is the old key, some sort of lash might be possible otherwise a full lift, spectacle lift or skate onto a flatbed, recovery will get it home at least.

 

[Petrol Pete]

hi Joel and welcome . Some pretty heavy duty $hit for your first post.

To clarify . The car can not be recovered because it is miles down some dirt lane in Wales, or because you think no one will recover because of the steering lock ?

Next (possibly dumb) question : Is the cars battery is fully charged ? or you have tried it with a powerful battery booster ?

 

[JoelChester]

How badly damaged is the old key, some sort of lash might be possible otherwise a full lift, spectacle lift or skate onto a flatbed, recovery will get it home at least.

As my mate said ‘Gas Merc 7 for way too long!’

 

[JoelChester]

hi Joel and welcome . Some pretty heavy duty $hit for your first post.

To clarify . The car can not be recovered because it is miles down some dirt lane in Wales, or because you think no one will recover because of the steering lock ?

Next (possibly dumb) question : Is the cars battery is fully charged ? or you have tried it with a powerful battery booster ?

We just checked the ‘key insurance’ and reckon we are gonna push for more of a ‘resolution’ than simply getting us a ‘church key’ (for all intents…)..They had basically passed the book onto Merc,and attempted to wash their hands.But judging by the few replies,we are being ‘fobbed’ (sorry) off ! Thanks to everyone and I will report back…tbh I’m AMAZED at the security levels on this motor…next level paranoia ! Ha,ha…

 

[T5R+]

My new from MB key had to be coded to the car. Note - they should come coded.

Funnily, as delivered to me/dealership the new key could actually start the car but would not unlock it!

 

[Muckypaps]

A lesson to people who only have one key.
The worst place it could have happened.
Never happens at home.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I 'misplaced' one of the 'keys' to our little run around 2006 Toyota Yaris , I thought nothing of it for months then found out that if I lost the one I had left I would be in deep doo doo as its keyless go , approach unlock etc and it's not like you can lift the start button off and insert a key anywhere. The manual said Toyota only supply new keys but they have to come with a new ECU unit from the factory (no re coding) basically over complicated for a 14 year old car. My guess is that their is someone out there who could sort it nowadays but my fix was to set the whole family on a 2 day key search !

Turned up between a stack of old paperwork on my desk (corner of dining room table ) I blame lockdown....

 

[Dickster]

A lesson to people who only have one key.
The worst place it could have happened.
Never happens at home.

Yep, my key stopped working completely recently but luckily my car was at home in the garage. I had two made…..

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome.

 

[Rory]

I don't think this'll help as I believe they need to be with the car, but this place in Birmigham crops up quite a bit and might be able to suggest something: Mercedes key specialists- Need new Mercedes keys? Replacementmercedeskeys.co.uk

 

[vijilants]

I don't think this'll help as I believe they need to be with the car, but this place in Birmigham crops up quite a bit and might be able to suggest something: Mercedes key specialists- Need new Mercedes keys? Replacementmercedeskeys.co.uk

I've used these guys before. to replace my EIS. They are good and they do know their business so as suggested give them a go. If they can't help with sorting the issue they will at least give you advice on what needs to be done.

 

[Dichtung]

As above. Mark and Matt. They certainly know their stuff.

 

[wrdcc01]

Well you really did burn that good and proper. Best bet as it's so far away, get it recovered otherwise you're going to be going back and forth trying out things. One of those things, try holding the old key circuit board (buggered though it is against the new one when turning the ignition. It may still be able to read the RF code (doesn't need the fob battery or a lot of the circuitry just the chip.)

 

[JoelChester]

My new from MB key had to be coded to the car. Note - they should come coded.

Funnily, as delivered to me/dealership the new key could actually start the car but would not unlock it!

Handy to know,cheers.

Well you really did burn that good and proper. Best bet as it's so far away, get it recovered otherwise you're going to be going back and forth trying out things. One of those things, try holding the old key circuit board (buggered though it is against the new one when turning the ignition. It may still be able to read the RF code (doesn't need the fob battery or a lot of the circuitry just the chip.)

cheers,I’ll try that if the key from The Brummies doesn’t work,but I suspect it will.

 

[JoelChester]

Long story short,I accidentally BBQ’d my wife’s only car key (2001 CLK200 komp,convertible elegance) this happened in deepest Welsh countryside.So we had to leave the car (which I left unlocked) orders a brand new key off Merc dealer,the key is not the same as the old ‘all’ plastic one,this has chrome on it…anyways…£240,and five days later…I returned to the scene of the crime (a 4 hour drive away) but,the ‘new’ key doesn’t do anything,I’ve verified it’s working,(Red light) but it won’t unlock/lock or start the car) I tried all the initialisation ‘things’ that I could find,but NADA ! So,I took the ECU out and the key switch,in the hole that something could be done remotely,or even to verify that the ECU is the original one for the car,the Merc dealer reckons there is no way to tell…I thought it would be in a build log or something…so,having done nothing but search the web,I have come to the conclusion that the only ‘fix’ is,a breakers yard ‘deal’ on ..ahem…a key,the key switch,the electric steering lock AND an ECU…do any of you lot know any better,I can’t get anyone to come to where the car is,and I can’t even recover the car as the steering lock is on…please help,my wife is seriously BUSTIN my karma ! Cheers in advance…ps…the guy at the Merc garage said..I think Mercs are only allowed ten keys,so maybe the brand new one we bought is the 11th !? Like some sort of ‘cats lives’ thing ?…which I doubt very much…?!?? I have attached the ECU label photos,the key label and the info from the key switch…it all seems VERY complicated !

So,

Long story short,I accidentally BBQ’d my wife’s only car key (2001 CLK200 komp,convertible elegance) this happened in deepest Welsh countryside.So we had to leave the car (which I left unlocked) orders a brand new key off Merc dealer,the key is not the same as the old ‘all’ plastic one,this has chrome on it…anyways…£240,and five days later…I returned to the scene of the crime (a 4 hour drive away) but,the ‘new’ key doesn’t do anything,I’ve verified it’s working,(Red light) but it won’t unlock/lock or start the car) I tried all the initialisation ‘things’ that I could find,but NADA ! So,I took the ECU out and the key switch,in the hole that something could be done remotely,or even to verify that the ECU is the original one for the car,the Merc dealer reckons there is no way to tell…I thought it would be in a build log or something…so,having done nothing but search the web,I have come to the conclusion that the only ‘fix’ is,a breakers yard ‘deal’ on ..ahem…a key,the key switch,the electric steering lock AND an ECU…do any of you lot know any better,I can’t get anyone to come to where the car is,and I can’t even recover the car as the steering lock is on…please help,my wife is seriously BUSTIN my karma ! Cheers in advance…ps…the guy at the Merc garage said..I think Mercs are only allowed ten keys,so maybe the brand new one we bought is the 11th !? Like some sort of ‘cats lives’ thing ?…which I doubt very much…?!?? I have attached the ECU label photos,the key label and the info from the key switch…it all seems VERY complicated !

so Markbabd Matt,have had the EIS and our new from Merc key,for just a morning.They have verified that the key from Merc is completely in programmed (no car info on it at all) So they have made me a new key,coded to the EIS/car.Merc were absolutely no use whatsoever in remedying any of our issues.In fact,upon speaking to the guy in parts yesterday,I asked him if it was basically a ‘scrap the car’ solution,and he said he was all out of ideas…I’m furious…ge also said you can’t return keys,WELL,I think we will see about that ! The key that didn’t work from Merc,took six days,£240,and didn’t work…the key from Matt and Mark,took three days (two for post) and cost £220 all inc…I will report back on it efficacy on Friday,when I return to the land of our fathers…I got a good feeling about this! Cheers everyone,the ‘System’ works ! Not the corporate one though,just the grass roots dude one…keep tuned in for my next post’why won’t my roof go down,and why is the switch flashing an alarming warning signal!’…that I have ignored…amongst other sundries…

 

[JoelChester]

New key has arrived ! I’ll report back tomorrow/Saturday…I also phoned the Merc dealer,and told them I would be bringing ‘their’ key back,as it was completely unprogrammed,and that I would expect a full refund…something which they told me WOULDNT be happening last week…I beg to differ…great service from the Brummy boys…cheers to all on here…SPLENDID CHAPS !

 

[oldguy57]

New key has arrived ! I’ll report back tomorrow/Saturday…I also phoned the Merc dealer,and told them I would be bringing ‘their’ key back,as it was completely unprogrammed,and that I would expect a full refund…something which they told me WOULDNT be happening last week…I beg to differ…great service from the Brummy boys…cheers to all on here…SPLENDID CHAPS !

Has to be fit for purpose surely under the consumer law. Doesn't work, therefore not ffp I would be arguing.

 

[JoelChester]

Has to be fit for purpose surely under the consumer law. Doesn't work, therefore not ffp I would be arguing.

Indeed ! Not only the key,the parts staff too ! Bah !