Key fob not working on w211 e class

[Phantomheart]

So I've had this problem on my 2004 w211 mercedes for a long while now and I don't know what else to try. Basically my key fob doesn't work, the light flashes I changed batteries, and the infrared works (sometimes, depends on my cars mood ). I've tried changing the left trunk pillar antenna and the two little black antennas in the top of the boot lid. I've also heard that the siren can go bad and cause the keyfob to not work but the thing is the siren is not where it should be (in the driver's side wheel well) i don't know what else to try or do, I have a suspicion that the rear sam can be the culprit, because my rear wiper doesn't work and the trunk cover that should lift doesn't work. Any help would be appreciated

 

[W1ghty]

So I've had this problem on my 2004 w211 mercedes for a long while now and I don't know what else to try. Basically my key fob doesn't work, the light flashes I changed batteries, and the infrared works (sometimes, depends on my cars mood ). I've tried changing the left trunk pillar antenna and the two little black antennas in the top of the boot lid. I've also heard that the siren can go bad and cause the keyfob to not work but the thing is the siren is not where it should be (in the driver's side wheel well) i don't know what else to try or do, I have a suspicion that the rear sam can be the culprit, because my rear wiper doesn't work and the trunk cover that should lift doesn't work. Any help would be appreciated

Does the other key work…most cars have 2

 

[Phantomheart]

Does the other key work…most cars have 2

Unfortunately I do not have another key. I have bought another to program, but haven't gotten around to do it yet

 

[Uky]

1. If you only have one keyfob it means that there is another one "out there" which can be used by whoever knows where the car that it is coded into lives.
I strongly suggests that you have the car checked to ensure that the second keyfob gets erased from the vehicles SAM-module when you have your new
keyfob coded into the system.

(This should be done by anyone who purcahses a second hand car; Check number of keyfobs in the system and erase those that was not delivered
with the car. In my country this is a requirement when purcahsing very expenceive cars and/or cars that are private imports.)

2. If the receiver is placed in the boot lid and you suspect a broken cable - have it checked out.
(oxide or misaligned pins) in the connector to the receiver or the antenna(s). This should be checked before replacing
any hardware. Dis- and reconnect all connectors and retry. (I have experienced this in my CL).

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Unfortunately I do not have another key. I have bought another to program, but haven't gotten around to do it yet

You can't reprogram a mercedes key . You need a blank key.

 

[tygertyger]

You could go to a local key cutter and see if they can check programming. I had a new key for £200 less than MB wanted

 

[OneForTheRoad]

You could go to a local key cutter and see if they can check programming. I had a new key for £200 less than MB wanted

Most places now charge £99 , there's not much of a market for them anymore beyond 2015 cars .

 

[Shadgrind]

I bought a 2005 CLK 350, it had the traditional black key fob. Actually it had a pair. One of them stopped working completely as far as unlocking and unlocking. The vehicle goes. .

The dealer agreed to replace the key. And I got a shiny chrome key back.

The only issue, and as far as I am concerned, quite a big issue was that the keyless go function would not work with the new chrome key. I have phoned 20 or 30 car locksmiths and none seem to be able to program the old style black key and as of now I have found out that the ebay black key I bought will not be able to be programmed.

So, am I stuck with only one fully working key that will do all the keyless stuff or can I get a black key that will do all of the functions that are required?

I have spoken to Mercedes on this subject. They say that the black key is no longer stocked and the chrome key is the only one available and that will not do keyless start. Does anybody know any different I have seen plenty of posts on forums I am a member of several Mercedes forums and none of them seem to have current information on whether you can actually get a black key programmed.

As of now I have.
One blank, black key
One fully working, black key
One broken black key will start the car when put in the EIS
One chrome key that will unlock and unlock the car, but will only start in the EIS

So as far as I am aware, no one can obtain the black key fob anymore that will actually work. I have also spoken to a good friend that is the chief technician at MB World, who actually got a bit sniffy when I asked if it was possible, though he only knows what Mercedes tell him!

I know some people will find this pretty petty, but I have a real issue when I am looking at the gear shifter with its start stop button and a key fob in the EIS, OCD much? Anyone give me a real answer, Mercedes dealership I spoke to said only chrome keys are stocked?

So am I SOL?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I bought a 2005 CLK 350, it had the traditional black key fob. Actually it had a pair. One of them stopped working completely as far as unlocking and unlocking. The vehicle goes. .

The dealer agreed to replace the key. And I got a shiny chrome key back.

The only issue, and as far as I am concerned, quite a big issue was that the keyless go function would not work with the new chrome key. I have phoned 20 or 30 car locksmiths and none seem to be able to program the old style black key and as of now I have found out that the ebay black key I bought will not be able to be programmed.

So, am I stuck with only one fully working key that will do all the keyless stuff or can I get a black key that will do all of the functions that are required?

I have spoken to Mercedes on this subject. They say that the black key is no longer stocked and the chrome key is the only one available and that will not do keyless start. Does anybody know any different I have seen plenty of posts on forums I am a member of several Mercedes forums and none of them seem to have current information on whether you can actually get a black key programmed.

As of now I have.
One blank, black key
One fully working, black key
One broken black key will start the car when put in the EIS
One chrome key that will unlock and unlock the car, but will only start in the EIS

So as far as I am aware, no one can obtain the black key fob anymore that will actually work. I have also spoken to a good friend that is the chief technician at MB World, who actually got a bit sniffy when I asked if it was possible, though he only knows what Mercedes tell him!

I know some people will find this pretty petty, but I have a real issue when I am looking at the gear shifter with its start stop button and a key fob in the EIS, OCD much? Anyone give me a real answer, Mercedes dealership I spoke to said only chrome keys are stocked?

So am I SOL?

Is your original key 3 buttons ?

Afaik , the ECU has to be exactly the same , and the program flashed to it ,has to be spot on.

 

[Shadgrind]

Is your original key 3 buttons ?

Afaik , the ECU has to be exactly the same , and the program flashed to it ,has to be spot on.

Yes, being a European model it doesn’t have the panic button like the US keys have. LOCK, UNLOCK, BOOT

 

[Shadgrind]

BTW sorry for Hijacking the thread but I am (being politically incorrect) going mental here!

 

[Shadgrind]

I’m willing to pay £250 or more to have the keyless function on two keys, I am actually thinking of buying an Autel IM608 or 508s plus XP400 if it will work and offer up my services to anyone, from the forum.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Your old key was a different key compared to the newer one , you couldn't even buy a new case for it like the chrome one . The ECU inside is totally different.

 

[Shadgrind]

I managed to get a case for the old style key from ebay and a blank key as well but no one can program it as far as I am aware, it’s an Xhorse key with an NEC chip in it. So are you saying that I cannot get a black key with the keyless function from anywhere at all. I have spoken to one place near Birmingham now who say if I take my car up there they can do it. But seeing as I read on all the forums that you can’t program blank black keys and the chrome ones don’t do the keyless stuff (different chip) I am dubious about making a four hour round trip with my car, as they need access to it.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I managed to get a case for the old style key from ebay and a blank key as well but no one can program it as far as I am aware, it’s an Xhorse key with an NEC chip in it. So are you saying that I cannot get a black key with the keyless function from anywhere at all. I have spoken to one place near Birmingham now who say if I take my car up there they can do it. But seeing as I read on all the forums that you can’t program blank black keys and the chrome ones don’t do the keyless stuff (different chip) I am dubious about making a four hour round trip with my car, as they need access to it.

My 2016 had keyless go with that chrome key so that's incorrect .

What they will do is rip the binary data from the ECU and code in a new key from a ghost key.

It's a simple process tbh.

I've had a few keys made from home by mobile locksmiths, using a laptop.

 

[BlackC55]

I have not had great experience with cloned keys. My own Vito had a fit on the M6 as the copied key went wrong. I ended up getting it recovered and it caused no end of hassle. We have had a few cars in with cloned keys causing all manner of strange stating problems.

I would buy a new MB one. They are reliable, they work first time and you know its going to be 100% correct.

 

[Shadgrind]

I have not had great experience with cloned keys. My own Vito had a fit on the M6 as the copied key went wrong. I ended up getting it recovered and it caused no end of hassle. We have had a few cars in with cloned keys causing all manner of strange stating problems.

I would buy a new MB one. They are reliable, they work first time and you know its going to be 100% correct.

The only issue I have with that are Mercedes no longer do the NEC black keys and the chrome one I have works in every way except it won’t do the keyless start. I do really want to have that feature and if the one black key I have left goes wrong I will completely lose that function, are you saying that Prestige Cars can do a black key fob, with the keyless start feature? If so where do I sign?

I have the broken key here, it still has the NEC chip on it could it be put on another board or does it need the Nordic nRF 401 044 2MIU as I have that as well

 

[OneForTheRoad]

The only issue I have with that are Mercedes no longer do the NEC black keys and the chrome one I have works in every way except it won’t do the keyless start. I do really want to have that feature and if the one black key I have left goes wrong I will completely lose that function, are you saying that Prestige Cars can do a black key fob, with the keyless start feature? If so where do I sign?

I have the broken key here, it still has the NEC chip on it could it be put on another board or does it need the Nordic nRF 401 044 2MIU as I have that as well

For keyless start , do you have a stop start button inserted in the ign slot then ?

I thought that feature was newish tbh.

 

[Shadgrind]

This is from an SLK but my CLK Elegance has touch door handles to lock and unlock (they aren’t working… yet). The boot unlocks when you have the keys in your pocket and pull on the catch, and the car will still start, when you have the only working key in your pocket and push the button, with your foot on the brake.

I am thinking of going to a component level PCB repair specialist with my key and a donor key to get the chips swapped out and maybe the coil(s) as well. I have seen plenty of specialists on YouTube in the USA, do this work time and again and yet it seems no one in the auto lock-smithing business can do it over here, I tell a lie I found one place who reckoned they could sort me out a fully working black key but its a four hour round trip.

If all else fails, that is what I will do.