Replacement Key Fob

[spinaltap]

After 10 years of ownership, the Key Fob on my W169 has worn out. Despite changing the battery, the Key Fob would always unlock the Car - but locking the Car was intermittent.

For those in a similar situation, Mercedes charge £150 inclusive for a new/reprogrammed Key Fob. This requires making a service visit - rather than buying the Key Fob from the Parts Department.

Fortunately, I don’t need to replace the physical key that’s inserted in the Key Fob. That would otherwise mean a 10 day wait as the key has to be cut in Germany.

 

[Petrol Pete]

In the ten years of ownership you have only ever had one key for this car ?

 

[slade1]

There companies in UK will do for around 80-100££ try google

 

[spinaltap]

Bonkers! On arriving at Mercedes’ to have a new Key Fob programmed, they first asked if I had changed the Battery. Well, duh, why would I be there otherwise? Their response: ‘Was it an approved Mercedes Battery?’

’You‘re kidding, right?’. They then proceeded to swap my brand-new Battery for their ‘Mercedes Approved‘ (Varta) Battery. It worked!!!

From whatever distance the Car was locked/unlocked, the Key Fob worked without missing a beat. Apparently, many Mercedes’ owners get similarly caught out by not installing a Mercedes approved Key Fob Battery.

I might be slightly bemused and embarrassed in equal measure by the experience - but at least I saved £150. Even so, I’m moderately annoyed that Mercedes didn’t offer this golden nugget of advice on making my initial phone call about the issue.

 

[Petrol Pete]

'Mercedes approved key fob battery ' ! Whatever next .? I can only go on what you have told us and it is what you experienced. But in all my years I have replaced key fob batteries countless times (including MB) and have never seen such a thing .

Whatever . It fixed your dilemma , well done

 

[richard]

Its just "a decent battery" you need, and theres too many cheap ones out there.

Mercedes use Varta, I think have used Panasonic in the past. We tend to install Duracell - and never ones that have set on the shelf for years But the cheap ones with no manafacturer name on them seem to be "not good enough", worse with Keyless-Go Keys for some reason. I'd guess that Mercedes keys use lots of current and cheap batteries can't provide it and the voltage drops too low for the key to properly operate.