Remote/Keyless GO

[karozza]

When trying to use KEYLESS GO the display keeps showing "CHIP CARD NOT RECOGNISED" Green LED lights up when button is pressed.

Can this be re-programmed by a Merc technician?

Also realized the key remote has limited range (practically next to the door) on the SL55 whereas on my wife's 2005 C Class, the range is amazing!?

 

[techcareuk]

I assume the dealer can re program it but dont think they just loose pairing??

May be worth trying disconnecting the battery for a few hours to reset everything (you will have to perform the reset proceedures (such as windows, BAS/ABS, etc) when you reconnect the battery, think its in a sticky on the site you can find that info with a search!
I had a prblem with the keyless on my S-class when I had to keep removing the keyless fuse to reset it, it eventually failed and started draining the battery!
if you know the fuse for the keyless-go on the SL you could try just removing that to reset it instead of removing the battery, but sorry I dont know which fuse it is!

Mark

 

[richard]

Karozza, it could be the key, or it could be the Keyless go receiver/antennas. Needs Star Diagnosis to really find the issue.

As to distance, the cars are both Infra Red, and radio based. Radio used for distance, IR when close (and you get functions like being able to hold the key and wind windows (and roof) up and down when using the IR system).
Thus it sounds like the radio based bit is broken. This can be a key fault (try the other key!!) or a blown fuse, or an antenna amplifier fault. If it is an antenna amplifier fault, you are some what in trouble, because the antenna amp is behind the dashboard (at bottom corners of the windscreen) as the antenna are in the front windscreen on a SL, and you have to remove the dashboard to replace the amplifier. So, (a) try the other key (b) check the fuse diagram and all the fuses listed for central locking (pretty sure its one in the rear fusebox behind right front seat in that stowage compartment) first.

I'm pretty sure the Keyless Go system and it's antennas are very separate to the remote fob antenna, and thus unlikely to be the same fault, but its a while since I pondered the SL wiring diagrams for this stuff.

Cheers

Richard

 

[karozza]

Karozza, it could be the key, or it could be the Keyless go receiver/antennas. Needs Star Diagnosis to really find the issue.

As to distance, the cars are both Infra Red, and radio based. Radio used for distance, IR when close (and you get functions like being able to hold the key and wind windows (and roof) up and down when using the IR system).
Thus it sounds like the radio based bit is broken. This can be a key fault (try the other key!!) or a blown fuse, or an antenna amplifier fault. If it is an antenna amplifier fault, you are some what in trouble, because the antenna amp is behind the dashboard (at bottom corners of the windscreen) as the antenna are in the front windscreen on a SL, and you have to remove the dashboard to replace the amplifier. So, (a) try the other key (b) check the fuse diagram and all the fuses listed for central locking (pretty sure its one in the rear fusebox behind right front seat in that stowage compartment) first.

I'm pretty sure the Keyless Go system and it's antennas are very separate to the remote fob antenna, and thus unlikely to be the same fault, but its a while since I pondered the SL wiring diagrams for this stuff.

Cheers

Richard

Ok-thanks guys.

Let's break this down; at present I only have 1 of each. Keyless go which is not responding & the remote key fob which functions by IR.

I guess the radio frequency is not working just like you have deducted. This should be confirmed when I take it for Star Diagnosis.

On another note, I may try the fuse but even if this is the culprit, it is to my understanding that a fuse does not blow for no reason!?

 

[richard]

Ok-thanks guys.

Let's break this down; at present I only have 1 of each. Keyless go which is not responding & the remote key fob which functions by IR.

I guess the radio frequency is not working just like you have deducted. This should be confirmed when I take it for Star Diagnosis.

On another note, I may try the fuse but even if this is the culprit, it is to my understanding that a fuse does not blow for no reason!?

Yes, the person using Star needs to be good at this sort of diagnosis, and have another mercedes key to check whether its the key or the amplifier. The received radio signals are decode by one of the SAMs.

My temptation would be to order yourself a new key asap so at least you have a spare, and then get the machine on Star.

Fuses do occasionally go if battery has got very low (current consumption is higher when voltage is lower to keep same Wattage), or other things on car have failed. (For instance, on W203 if the alarm siren has gone short circuit which happens when it gets wet, it takes out the power to the antenna amplifier, and people often go through the antenna amp replacement (which on a W203 coupe means back windscreen out, on a W210 there is a fan in the bottom of the fusebox which cools the front SAM which can do the same sort of trouble)

R

 

[karozza]

Yes, the person using Star needs to be good at this sort of diagnosis, and have another mercedes key to check whether its the key or the amplifier. The received radio signals are decode by one of the SAMs.

My temptation would be to order yourself a new key asap so at least you have a spare, and then get the machine on Star.

Fuses do occasionally go if battery has got very low (current consumption is higher when voltage is lower to keep same Wattage), or other things on car have failed. (For instance, on W203 if the alarm siren has gone short circuit which happens when it gets wet, it takes out the power to the antenna amplifier, and people often go through the antenna amp replacement (which on a W203 coupe means back windscreen out, on a W210 there is a fan in the bottom of the fusebox which cools the front SAM which can do the same sort of trouble)

R

Understood-will get on to the key as I would definitely want a spare key/fob. Also, really want to get the Keyless Go working.

Where is the best place to buy a key remote fob on-line at the best possible price; can I buy one of the used ones on ebay?? I actually have one I bought from ebay for the outer shell.

I did have a look at the fuses. Under the bonnet, all look to be OK & checked the fuse chart but don't seem to be related to the problem . As for the fuse box behind the driver's seat, unfortunately could not find a fuse chart (not sure if the details are on the main fuse chart!?), although did find one 40 Amp fuse blown! Have no idea what it's for, so replaced it & with ignition on (engine off), it didn't blow.

As you explained, could be a possibility as most owners over here just buy these cars to brag & never really use them, So batteries die down on them all the time. It's got 22000 miles on it in 11 years!

Beautiful cars like these are meant to be used, at least on the weekends. As most of these owners here don't know diddly about cars, they don't even keep them on battery conditioners to keep them in good health!

 

[richard]

Hi

Keys are, in reality, dealer only. Fuse chart does cover the one behind. Assuming your SL is before MY2009 then look at F57 (5 amp) first (I happen to have a SL chart next to me from mine, and although it lists a load, thats the one listed for both central locking and radio and it is the same antenna amp for both).

- so given that, how is your radio reception - if it is non-existent, then its that fuse.

Again, if your SL is same(isn) age as mine, the only 40A fuse in the rear box is F73 and thats one of the roof fuses !

Richard

 

[karozza]

Hi

Keys are, in reality, dealer only. Fuse chart does cover the one behind. Assuming your SL is before MY2009 then look at F57 (5 amp) first (I happen to have a SL chart next to me from mine, and although it lists a load, thats the one listed for both central locking and radio and it is the same antenna amp for both).

- so given that, how is your radio reception - if it is non-existent, then its that fuse.

Again, if your SL is same(isn) age as mine, the only 40A fuse in the rear box is F73 and thats one of the roof fuses !

Richard

SL55 is 2003

Radio is normal so no problem with reception.

You must be correct on the 40 amp fuse as it blew as soon as I tried to open the roof & I know the roof vario pump is defective & a new one is ordered.

 

[karozza]

So, received the new Keyless Go FOB & had it checked at MB today to see why the new remote still does not offer Keyless GO Or radio frequency commands.

As suggested by Richard, one of the amplified antennas under the front screen(right side) is defective.

So have now booked it in at MB again to take out the dashboard to replace the antenna....6 hours labour is considered to do the job.

I'm assuming this is a complicated affair which brings me to the question; will it be put back together properly

 

[karozza]

Has anyone had their dash taken out at MB; if so, what was the experience??

Better still does anyone know where to get the procedure how to remove the complete dash of an SL??

 

[richard]

I've done it twice. Instructions are in wis and good for disassembly but the odd gotcha when reassembling. It's not difficult the second time. Check your airbag off light works after you collect it as plugging in that wire after you put the dashboard back is hard, have to do it as it goes back in. Took me about an hour to sort that first time as I had reassembled when I realised

R

 

[karozza]

I've done it twice. Instructions are in wis and good for disassembly but the odd gotcha when reassembling. It's not difficult the second time. Check your airbag off light works after you collect it as plugging in that wire after you put the dashboard back is hard, have to do it as it goes back in. Took me about an hour to sort that first time as I had reassembled when I realised R

Hi Richard, was this your car & was it the same fault??

I'm still thinking on having it done at MB as this is part of the deal when I bought the car. I'm just a bit concerned that they do the job properly!?

 

[richard]

My car once to do full NTG2.5 / TV / DAB etc upgrade (i.e had to replace both antenna amps with MY2009 ones. Customer's car to replace the air-conditioning flap loom that had been damaged by someone else.

I imagine someone at your MB dealer will have removed a SL dashboard sometime before.

Richard