HELP! Remote locking only works at night W211

[moestavern]

Strange one is this, My E320 W211 will only lock with the remote key at night, during daylight hours forget it.
Been on to Merc but they say they do not know but will be able to look at it for me, aye right!!
Soon as darkness falls it works a treat.
Changed batteries but still the same.
Anyone got any suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Al

 

[cplnoonoo]

Have you tried pointing the key at the infrared receiver on the drivers door handle when you try and unlock it during the day?

 

[moestavern]

Yes I have tried that also.
Its driving me mad.

 

[prprandall51]

Ooh! This is fun. it's like a parlour game!

OK, my turn to ask questions:

Does this happen in all locations or have you only observed this at a single location?

Is it actually "when it gets dark" or is it a specific cut-off time that happens to coincide with darkness falling?

How long has this been going on for?

Have you tried the other vehicle key?

 

[moestavern]

Ooh! This is fun. it's like a parlour game!

OK, my turn to ask questions:

Does this happen in all locations or have you only observed this at a single location?

All locations

Is it actually "when it gets dark" or is it a specific cut-off time that happens to coincide with darkness falling?

Does not have to be pitch black but when it starts to get dusky

How long has this been going on for?

Its been about 6 months but is more apparent now as it is light mornings and nights

Have you tried the other vehicle key?

Only got the one.

Read another thread on another board which seems to think that there are 2 issues, the RF amplifier could be faulty or the fuse has blown. I can recieve FM but not AM on my radio. Also it appears that the IR reciever on my drivers door could be faulty. It seems to fit exactly my symptoms. Gonna check this weekend. Will let you know the outcome.
Al

 

[robpow]

Had something very similar but didn't notice a big difference between day and night. The remote receiver in the car had somehow 'forgot' to work over RF and was only doing IR through the driver's door handle. A quick trip do the dealership sorted that out.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[hollyhocks]

Ooh! This is fun. it's like a parlour game!

OK, my turn to ask questions:

Does this happen in all locations or have you only observed this at a single location?

All locations

Is it actually "when it gets dark" or is it a specific cut-off time that happens to coincide with darkness falling?

Does not have to be pitch black but when it starts to get dusky

How long has this been going on for?

Its been about 6 months but is more apparent now as it is light mornings and nights

Have you tried the other vehicle key?

Only got the one.

Read another thread on another board which seems to think that there are 2 issues, the RF amplifier could be faulty or the fuse has blown. I can recieve FM but not AM on my radio. Also it appears that the IR reciever on my drivers door could be faulty. It seems to fit exactly my symptoms. Gonna check this weekend. Will let you know the outcome.
Al

Hi have same problem on my C220CDI, have you solved it would like to know how you got on

 

[hollyhocks]

Had something very similar but didn't notice a big difference between day and night. The remote receiver in the car had somehow 'forgot' to work over RF and was only doing IR through the driver's door handle. A quick trip do the dealership sorted that out.

Cheers,
Matt

Do you know what the problem was

 

[moestavern]

Stil not working, anyone had a fix done?

 

[jaymanek]

Will it work if you point it at the drivers door handle, even during the day?

This has to be an issue with the radio receiver which I believe is an integral unit with the radio aerial..

 

[moestavern]

After reading many forums and articles online I have come to the conclusion that the ir reciever is degraded ( my car is w211 e320 2003 )and needs replacing, last night for example at 6pm the locking worked, drove 5 miles and parked in a multi story car par, locking worked, drove home, locking worked, 7.45am this morning locking worked, 8am, no way pedro (borrowed from Delboy!!)
In answer to your question re pointing directly at the handle the above should answer, I believe also that the rf amp is not working as AM reception is non existent but was not aware thet the ir and rf worked in unison.
A thread on another forum had the same problem and he took it to a merc shop whereby they replaced the rf amp and replaced the ir reciever in the door. Unfortunately he did not divulge the cost of this which would have been interesting.
I am a practicle sort of bloke and if I can do it myself I will so am going to have a go at replacing the reciever when I can source a spare part.
There are loads of threads on this subject but and threads on suggested sollutions but very rarely do people post their fixes.
Anyway I suppose the winter and dark mornings and evenings have a silver lining for some folk!!