Reprogramming key/alarm transmitter

[srowe]

I've noticed a number of keys for sale on eBay with the implication they can be re-programmed. I'd like to have a spare for my W210, is it straightforward to do so or is it pointless buying a secondhand key?

 

[glojo]

I would be very surprised if you could buy a key off of Ebay that would operate the 210, or indeed 211. I am NOT saying it will not, I am merely saying....Seeing is believing.

Regards,
John

 

[BIG J]

I did buy a new spare key for my mums car (W210) from merc's had to program it myself which is quite simply, i'm not to sure about the ones on e-bay but i guess you may be able to reprogam them.

 

[glojo]

I did buy a new spare key for my mums car (W210) from merc's had to program it myself which is quite simply, i'm not to sure about the ones on e-bay but i guess you may be able to reprogam them.

Hi Big J,
Are you saying you simply walked into a dealership, bought 'blank' progammable key. Took it away and then programmed it yourself?

If so how?

I thought Mercedes-Benz have very strict rules about buying keys for the models we are talking about??

John the very curious

 

[ShinyF1]

My spare key operates locks/doors etc but will not activate the ignition [or fire the switch like the live key as it nears the ignition keyhole]

Do I need a new one?

 

[glojo]

My spare key operates locks/doors etc but will not activate the ignition [or fire the switch like the live key as it nears the ignition keyhole]

Do I need a new one?

I had a 'facelift' 210 that did NOT have a conventional key to actually start the engine. This is the type I am refering to?? The metal key can unlock the car, but the alarm might activate and the 'infra-red' key needs to be inserted into the ignition.

John

 

[BIG J]

Hi Big J,
Are you saying you simply walked into a dealership, bought 'blank' progammable key. Took it away and then programmed it yourself?

If so how?

I thought Mercedes-Benz have very strict rules about buying keys for the models we are talking about??

John the very curious

I had a key cut and made but had to program it to my car, it was quite simply to program the key you put it in the ignition turn but don't start then take the key out and hold with the button down against the RVM leds for 10 seconds and its programed to your car.

I guess the ones on ebay may work as well if they are not programed.

 

[glojo]

I had a key cut and made but had to program it to my car, it was quite simply to program the key you put it in the ignition turn but don't start then take the key out and hold with the button down against the RVM leds for 10 seconds and its programed to your car.

I guess the ones on ebay may work as well if they are not programed.

On the face lift E-class 210 there is NO key to cut that actually starts the car, it is a plastic key!! You cannot get it 'cut'!!

I am being very careful in my wording as a blanket statement will cause confusion. srowe has asked a question and we need to know the year of his vehicle?

John

 

[Alps]

ok on the 202 you have the flip blade key, i understand the early 210 also has this key. you order your key with chassis number and other proof of ownership from dealers, and they will order the key with the blade already cut, and the correct code in the key to enabale pairing with your car in the manner described by Big J. Havent known anyone successfully pair an ebay one tho! I went through this process a few years back as I only got the car with one key, the dealership can also block any prevoius keys from working on the car which may have been lost!

 

[srowe]

On the face lift E-class 210 there is NO key to cut that actually starts the car, it is a plastic key!! You cannot get it 'cut'!!

I am being very careful in my wording as a blanket statement will cause confusion. srowe has asked a question and we need to know the year of his vehicle?

John

It's an 2000 X-reg E320, a plastic key that doubles as the remote. I have two metal keys for the door locks but what would be nice would be to be able to 'clone' the key itself.

 

[glojo]

It's an 2000 X-reg E320, a plastic key that doubles as the remote. I have two metal keys for the door locks but what would be nice would be to be able to 'clone' the key itself.

Hi,
Thanks very much for the update.

Ignore anyone that has suggested you can get ANY key from Ebay that can start your car! I simply do NOT believe them.

As far as I am aware you will have to contact your dealer, find out what means of identification\proof of ownership they need before they will order you a key.

Sorry about the bad news, but just think how difficult the car is to steal!!

Regards,
John

 

[srowe]

I had a key cut and made but had to program it to my car, it was quite simply to program the key you put it in the ignition turn but don't start then take the key out and hold with the button down against the RVM leds for 10 seconds and its programed to your car.

I guess the ones on ebay may work as well if they are not programed.

Interesting. It depends how the programming is stored. If it's in volatile memory then taking the battery out might return it to blank mode. Has anyone had to replace the battery in their key? Do you have to re-program it?

 

[Shude]

On the face lift E-class 210 there is NO key to cut that actually starts the car, it is a plastic key!! You cannot get it 'cut'!!

I am being very careful in my wording as a blanket statement will cause confusion. srowe has asked a question and we need to know the year of his vehicle?

There is a key "blade" that slides out of the plastic "key" housing but that will only unlock the driver's door, the boot and the glovebox. The blade has the keyring loop on it (so you can slide the key off your ring to give to the valet to park without accidently giving them access to the locked glovebox ).

Interesting. It depends how the programming is stored. If it's in volatile memory then taking the battery out might return it to blank mode. Has anyone had to replace the battery in their key? Do you have to re-program it?

I took the batteries out of mine to look at them and it caused no problems with programming, my key is the same as yours.

 

[srowe]

I took the batteries out of mine to look at them and it caused no problems with programming, my key is the same as yours.

There might be enough capacitance to keep the code for a while. I would suspect the code is stored in NV RAM. The question is, can you re-set it to a programmable state and is the security system designed to cope with multiple keys? I might buy one off eBay and take it apart...

 

[srowe]

Hi,
Thanks very much for the update.

Ignore anyone that has suggested you can get ANY key from Ebay that can start your car! I simply do NOT believe them.

As far as I am aware you will have to contact your dealer, find out what means of identification\proof of ownership they need before they will order you a key.

Sorry about the bad news, but just think how difficult the car is to steal!!

Regards,
John

No, I hope it isn't trivial to purchase a key that would allow anyone to take off in my car but knowing a little about crypto it is hard to design a system that is completely secure when you possess both ends (key and car). I expect MB have put quite a lot of thought into security but I'd be surprised if it doesn't have some weakness somewhere.

 

[Shude]

I forgot to add that each key is unique and your car has 8 slots available for keys. When you order a new key it is programmed at the factory with the codes that your car is expecting as the next new key.

While it is possible to add other keys to your car it probably requires access to star diagnose or other workshop equipment.

All keys are shipped overnight from the factory to your stealership marked as a priority delivery, do you not think that if the stealership could hold stock and do it themselves they would, if only to keep MB costs down?

 

[GRAV888]

My pre-facelift W210 has this type of key too.
I have a spare that has been in my desk drawer for about 6 months with no batteries in because one of the kids knocked it off the side into the dogs' water bowl .
It should have dried out by now , so I'll put the new batteries that I have in and report back if it still works.

 

[glojo]

There is a key "blade" that slides out of the plastic "key" housing but that will only unlock the driver's door, the boot and the glovebox. The blade has the keyring loop on it (so you can slide the key off your ring to give to the valet to park without accidently giving them access to the locked glovebox ).

Hence my being careful in the wording. I think we are all fully aware of this 'key' and am I right in thinking it might sound off the alarm? I'm always concious about your pointing out my spelling mistakes whenever I submit a post and your latest contribution has cheered me up no end.

Interesting. It depends how the programming is stored. If it's in volatile memory then taking the battery out might return it to blank mode. Has anyone had to replace the battery in their key? Do you have to re-program it?)

I'm glad you used the word 'might'... I have read countless posts about what 'might' work. I have even read posts of someone that really knows someone, that knows someone who actually had an uncle that has done this.

I believe a US laboratory has cloned a key, but they needed the original key to do it, which to me kind of defeats the object.

If you want to steal these cars then you will have to steal the keys either by burglary, or car jacking.

If someone knows of a factual case of these cars being started without the right key then please feel free to post a link. If one thing in life is certain then it is that we are always increasing our technical expertise and one day someone, somewhere will invent\discover a way of stealing these cars.

There was a film about car thieves stealing cars in a 24 hour period, but they failed on one specific brand!!!

Regards,
John

 

[Shude]

There was a film about car thieves stealing cars in a 24 hour period, but they failed on one specific brand!!!

"Gone in 60 seconds", the remake with Nic Cage.

Made me smile when they said they had to order the keys for the MBs rather than the usual methods

 

[GRAV888]

Update

Fitted the new batteries, (after having a look inside at the circuit board ), pointed it at car and it opened the doors.:bannana:
Put key into ignition and it started no problems:bannana: , so I would definately say that keys have to be programmed for each car and they will not lose their memory. (Well, not between 6 and 7 months anyway)