Remote Key fob, radio not working, alarm triggers randomly but does no siren, only flashing lights

[argggh]

Hi guys,

New joiner here.
I have a 2005 CLK Cabriolet and a while ago my key fob suddenly stopped working.
To unlock the car now, I have to hold the key right against the handle before pressing the unlock button, and the radio reception has more or less gone.
Also, every so often the alarm triggers randomly and the lights starts flashing but there is no siren sound.

Reading all the forum posts on similar symptoms, I am pretty certain this will be due to my old siren alarm, which has probably blown fuse #8 in the rear SAM.
From my understanding, I will need to replace the siren alarm and replace fuse #8 in the rear SAM.

I just have a few quick questions I hope this community can help with:
1. Is my understanding correct, or are the symptoms I am seeing related to another issue?
2. How easy/difficult is it to do this on my own? I am handy with changing flat tires and I've replaced the hydraulic struts that lowers the boot separator for the soft top in the past, but I've never worked on the electrics of a car before. Is this a project I can take on or is it better for me to go to a workshop?
3. If I can DIY this, does anyone know the exact part number I need for the siren?

Thanks in advance.

 

[argggh]

Well, I say new joiner, but I've been mostly a lurker here since 2008, and I have to say the knowledge on this forum has been fantastic.

 

[argggh]

Also, I just realized there are different physical sizes of car fuses available (not electrical Amp, but physical dimensions).
Does anyone know what is the correct sized car fuse for a 2005 CLK cabriolet?

 

[regbuser]

Hi and welcome.
You may get a better response over on Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums
Botus is your man

 

[oldguy57]

Also, I just realized there are different physical sizes of car fuses available (not electrical Amp, but physical dimensions).
Does anyone know what is the correct sized car fuse for a 2005 CLK cabriolet?

Most of the fuses will be standard car fuses (not mini fuses). Why not simply have a look at the SAM and see what size fuse 8 is? Should be numbered next to the fuse. If you have a look at the website Fuse Box Info this will give you details of the layout of the SAM to help. The website 7 Zap Mercedes will give you the part number for the alarm. Shouldn't be that difficult job, so within your capabilities.
Incidentally, you've probably checked already, but have you changed the battery in your key recently?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Its fairly easy to replace the battery, its inside the front wheel well (you need to remove the wheel) and it has a torx security bit, otherwise its plug and play.

Your main dealer can provide you with the correct alarm.

 

[argggh]

Hi and welcome.
You may get a better response over on Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums
Botus is your man

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated

 

[argggh]

Most of the fuses will be standard car fuses (not mini fuses). Why not simply have a look at the SAM and see what size fuse 8 is? Should be numbered next to the fuse. If you have a look at the website Fuse Box Info this will give you details of the layout of the SAM to help. The website 7 Zap Mercedes will give you the part number for the alarm. Shouldn't be that difficult job, so within your capabilities.
Incidentally, you've probably checked already, but have you changed the battery in your key recently?

Haha, first thing I did was to change the battery in my key, but definitely a valid question.
I've never known where the rear SAM is, I'll open up the boot and try to find it this weekend.

 

[argggh]

Its fairly easy to replace the battery, its inside the front wheel well (you need to remove the wheel) and it has a torx security bit, otherwise its plug and play.

Your main dealer can provide you with the correct alarm.

Great - by any chance, do you know if there are any helpful photos or similar on a particular post? I've tried searching in the forum and read a number of posts but I didn't manage to find photographs of the actual location of the alarm. I am just afraid I may not find it after removing the wheel.
Thanks in advance if anyone has helpful photos or similar.

 

[55AMGCLK]

This may help

Help to find CLK alarm siren | Electronics and Audio

My alarm is randomly going off, sometimes for only a short bleep or only indicators flash with no sound. I am lead to believe this could be caused by a faulty alarm siren. To test this I intend to unplug it until I can get a replacement. Please can anyone tell me where this siren is located...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[55AMGCLK]

Another one with pics and WIS

Alarm Siren!! [URGENT PROBLEM]

www.benzworld.org

 

[argggh]

Another one with pics and WIS

Alarm Siren!! [URGENT PROBLEM]

www.benzworld.org

Thanks so much, really appreciate it!
I'll have a muck about the car this weekend and see if I can find the rear SAM and check if the fuse has definitely blown - if it has, I'll go buy new fuses and an alarm.

 

[Blobsta]

The rear SAM is on the left side of the boot (N/S) and you'll find an access panel in the carpet there to easily see it. It's only a 2min job to remove the whole liner around it though to give you better access.

I have a similar issue with the alarm on mine and I thought it was the siren. That is officially dead but it's actually the O/S door and Interior sensor that trigger my alarm in equal measure annoyingly so I can't pinpoint it properly and I don't have my own MBStar of course to fully diagnose it. Such an irritation but I have learned to live with it as it generally does it in the first 2 mins of arming and more-so if it's raining so I can kind of keep an eye on it. That said, it will do it several times in a week and then not again for two months. This week is it's week it would seem

On to your key issue; a couple of thoughts occur; does it happen with the spare key just the same? If you don't have a spare key, I would strongly advise that you order one; yes they are £200+ or were when I last bought one but it's better than writing off the car if you lose or break yours. The second thought is that my brother had a similar issue with an old W202 he had and a local locksmith actually repaired the antenna in the key for him. These IR keys are really quite fragile and don't put up well with being dropped cars that have small children around them will attest to this point I'm sure.

I believe there are locksmiths who claim to be able to code these keys now but I'd want it done in front of me and I don't think they are much cheaper than buying direct from MB where you have a warranty.

Good luck though.

 

[argggh]

The rear SAM is on the left side of the boot (N/S) and you'll find an access panel in the carpet there to easily see it. It's only a 2min job to remove the whole liner around it though to give you better access.

I have a similar issue with the alarm on mine and I thought it was the siren. That is officially dead but it's actually the O/S door and Interior sensor that trigger my alarm in equal measure annoyingly so I can't pinpoint it properly and I don't have my own MBStar of course to fully diagnose it. Such an irritation but I have learned to live with it as it generally does it in the first 2 mins of arming and more-so if it's raining so I can kind of keep an eye on it. That said, it will do it several times in a week and then not again for two months. This week is it's week it would seem

On to your key issue; a couple of thoughts occur; does it happen with the spare key just the same? If you don't have a spare key, I would strongly advise that you order one; yes they are £200+ or were when I last bought one but it's better than writing off the car if you lose or break yours. The second thought is that my brother had a similar issue with an old W202 he had and a local locksmith actually repaired the antenna in the key for him. These IR keys are really quite fragile and don't put up well with being dropped cars that have small children around them will attest to this point I'm sure.

I believe there are locksmiths who claim to be able to code these keys now but I'd want it done in front of me and I don't think they are much cheaper than buying direct from MB where you have a warranty.

Good luck though.

Thanks for the details and the suggestions.

I have a spare key and the same happens, both keys only works when it is held against the handle, and I have changed the batteries in the keys.

I found the rear SAM as described and sure enough, fuse 8 was blown.
I replaced fuse 8, tried my key from a distance and it works!
Then, a minute later, it stopped working.

Removed fuse 8 and sure enough it was blown again.
The fact that the fuse blew so quickly makes me think it's probably the siren short-circuiting.
I am guessing the door/interior sensor will not cause the fuse to blow.

I will look into replacing the siren on one of the coming weekends, but in the meantime if anyone think of anything else I can check, please let me know.

 

[argggh]

I found a siren on offer in the classified but I have insufficient privileges to post on that thread.

[SOLD] - Genuine New Mercedes-Benz Alarm Siren | Classifieds - Mercedes Parts or general for Sale

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Alarm Siren Part no A2198203226 Bought New from Merc dealer have receipt cost £107.40 But not needed as original was fine! Box mislaid hence can’t sent it back £85 Posted in U.K Fits A-Class C-Class E-Class ML SLK A2198203226 NEW Also fits: CLK, SLK, B-Class, R-Class, S...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

Please can someone help me post on that thread for the seller to message me?
I don't see an option to message the seller.
Thanks in advance.