W124 Estate RCL Brain Reset? Immobilised!

[thewintermute]

Hi, folks, I'm a total noob, so please be patient.

I bought an E200 Estate yesterday (S124) and love it have wanted one for ages.
The remote central locking wasn't working, so I figured I could have a look at it myself, see what the problem was.
I found under the seat drivers side rear the RCL brain box and pump system.
RCL box was unplugged, so I reseated the plug in the side. Thought that might have been the problem.
Unfortunately it seems to be immobilised now, can't start it at all. Not a budge. Disconnected the RCL box again, still no dice.
I'm guessing it was unplugged for a reason. The plipper ley doesn't seem to do anything, I have replaced the batteryin the fob, but no joy, zilch.

I'm guessing that the previous owner had the RCL disconnected for a reason.
Is there anyway of reverting to the way it was, i.e. using the key manually and forget the RCL, I just want to get going again.
There may be some way of resetting the RCL?

I feel like such a retard for even going near it now. Yesterday I was travelling in style, today I have an expensive paperweight outside the house.
Any help would be really, really appreciated.

Thanks,

Keith

 

[Beamish]

Hi Keith,

Maybe your key just needs to be synchronised with the RCL unit after fitting new batteries. The little red light on the key should flash when the fob is pressed to show that it is working.

Have a look at this thread
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/elec...e280-infrared-remote-control-not-working.html

Check the links also and it may throw some light on your problem.

Hope this helps,

Beamish.

 

[thewintermute]

Thanks, but maybe it's a fuse - Anyone any ideas?

Thanks Beamish, I think the RCL is shot on this car, and it may be that the Cobra alarm is already switched off.
I'm not ruling out that I've blown a fuse somewhere, but I don't know where. The box in the engine bay passenger side looks fine and the fuse on the OVP (10Amp) looks fine as is the other 30Amp fuse I found on another switch in there behind the battery.
Those are the only Big fuses I can find, there may be others ( I imagine there are) but I can't find where they might be.

Bit of a puzzler

 

[Beamish]

Hi again Keith,

Did'nt realise there is a Cobra alarm system fitted. These alarms use three forms of immobilisation.

1. Starter. If the engine won't turn over the starter may be immobilised. This is done by cutting into the heavy violet/white wire located in a 3-way plug adjacent to the battery. Look for the aftermarket wiring from the alarm to the original wiring.

2. Ignition. This is achieved by cutting into the pink/red wire in the fusebox, - you will need to unscrew and lift up the fuse tray to get to the wiring. Again look for the alarm wirring entering from the side of the box.

3. Fuel pump. This is achieved by cutting into the black/red/white wire going to the fuel pump relay at the rear of the battery. If you can hear the fuel pump run when you turn on the ignition then you can discount this one. Again look for a two wire loom running from the alarm to the fuel pump relay.

If any of these apply, you need to reconnect the original wires which have beeen cut into and this should undo the immobilisation.

Beamish.

 

[thewintermute]

Thanks Beamish, it turned out it was the steering lock not fully disengaging when turned. The ignition key wasn't getting all the way around as a result.
My unfamiliarity with the car was partly to blame.

Got it eventually just pulling randomly on the steering wheel.
Note to self, don't engage steering lock anymore.

Don't suppose you know if it's posible to put a manual key operated door handle on the drivers side. It would probably be easier and cheaper than trying to fix the remote central locking.

Take care

 

[bolide]

I've replaced the brain & keys on a 1995 car with no problem. If the problem is with the RCL brain, if you replace the RCL brain & keys together everything will work OK afterwards. Nothing else needs to be changed. The only exception to this might be a few very late cars with DAS

Make sure you have the chassis number of the RCL donor car so you can order replacement keys in future

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists

 

[jonnyboy]

I think I have a lock set and rcl module somewhere from a 220 coupe if theyre any good to you?

 

[Dec]

Bit of a puzzler

Have you tested the key fob to see if it is working properly?

Dec