Key not recognised... Computer says No.

[Brian k]

So I'm up and out this morning as usual and sat in my car at 0645.
She unlocked as normal and everything came on the dash as expected.
Then "key not recognised" pops up on the dash. I take it out of my pocket, wave it about, pop it into the centre console designated key slot.

Nothing, nix, nada, key not recognised and she won't start.
So after fiddling about, getting the spare key and checking the batteries in the fob I'm getting nowhere.
At 0715 I gave up and pushed the cars SOS button to get assistance. MB answered and had a tech out to my home by 0900 hours.

By 0910 the car's starting and running again like a good 'un.
What was wrong ? Well apparently the car's computer occasionally locks up and says No.
The fix ? The tech did the international reset (have you tried switching it off and on again ?) and disconnected the battery so that everything reset itself.
He then told me it's a common issue and there was a software release to prevent it happening again. He installed it there and then for me so by 0930 I'm back on my merry way to work.

Fabulous service from the MB gang again, but one wonders why they didn't do the upgrade when they had the car in for service a few weeks ago.

Has anyone else had this key not recognised issue ?

 

[GeeJayW]

Bonkers!

No Cntrl-Alt-Delete option then?

 

[Petrol Pete]

Just cast around for a young dodgy looking bloke in a tracksuit with a rucksack on his back and say 'Oi mate can you start my keyless Mercedes Benz for me please ?' and within a few minutes his 12 year old nephew will pop by on his BMX and sort it for you.

 

[Petrol Pete]

PS ^^^^^ this is no joke.

 

[AMGeed]

Has anyone else had this key not recognised issue ?

Yes, but on an older W211. It's usually a sign the key wants some new batteries if waving the key close to the ignition doesn't turn off the message.
No software update for mine I doubt.

 

[Mactech]

I've only ever had one car do that to me. It was built by SVO Jaguar and sometimes even they could not get the key to be recognised. In fairness, we had removed many electronic modules, but it had all been re-coded.
It fortunately had a master switch which did the ctl,alt, del thing most of the time.
Quiz time:
What was the Jaguar internal code for an F Type?
What is that mountain in the background?

 

[kianok]

Can’t fault MB assistance.

It is slightly annoying though when your car has been at the dealers recently and they don’t update known software issues.

 

[Petrol Pete]

That mountain...? Its far away, that's what it is

 

[Neiltodd]

Jungfrau?

 

[Mactech]

That mountain...? Its far away, that's what it is

Correct! Actually about 40 miles.

Jungfrau? err no! No motorsport allowed in Switzerland, despite the Sauber factory being there.

 

[Peter103]

Mactechs Answer to question 2, Mont Blanc.

 

[Dippo]

Fuji?

 

[clk320x]

Correct! Actually about 40 miles.

Jungfrau? err no! No motorsport allowed in Switzerland, despite the Sauber factory being there.

and I imagine no more hill climbs after hammonds incident

 

[Mactech]

You're all on the wrong continent. Clue: It's in the middle of a big land mass and they speak 'English'....badly.

 

[clk320x]

You're all on the wrong continent. Clue: It's in the middle of a big land mass and they speak 'English'....badly.

Pikes Peak?

 

[Mactech]

Good answer!
Yes, it's at Pikes Peak International raceway south of Colorado Springs, looking north-west to the mountain of Pikes Peak.
The raceway is at about 6000', much higher than anywhere in the UK and the Peak is over 14,000'...as high as anywhere in Switzerland.
But being in the States they don't walk anywhere, so they drive up this mountain....

 

[zipdip]

Well this sometimes happens with cars,I had a company vectra years ago,and one day it just did not start,so rang my mate the auto electrician and he said just disconnect the battery for 20 mins,did that and after reconnection the car started no problem then about 3 months later the same car started but none of the dash worked ,I tell you driving a car with no dash is very weird,I had indicators,and thats about all,vauxhall main dealer diagnosed a new dash was needed and booked the car in the next day,but I went home and did the business with the battery and it all worked again,the dealership were not happy they had quoted £900.

 

[Petrol Pete]

You're all on the wrong continent. Clue: It's in the middle of a big land mass and they speak 'English'....badly.

POLAND !!

 

[brucemillar]

You're all on the wrong continent. Clue: It's in the middle of a big land mass and they speak 'English'....badly.

This could be anywhere is Kent, but I will go with Sittingbourne, Coz thaaaaats how we iz here Maaan.