W202 Keys

[Spinal]

So I'm in trouble...

I managed to lost the keys to my W202; so I dragged out the spares...

Turns out the spare fob doesn't work (new batteries, little red LED flashes when button is held, but it doesn't unlock the car).

The valet key (or whatever the little metal key without a fob is called) unlocks the doors, but the alarm/immobilizer sounds.

I also have a third key that looks nothing like the others, it looks more like a fuel-cap key, but my fuel cap doesn't have a lock...

I'm kind of desperate to use the car on Friday; so I have a few questions:
- Any ideas on how to revive the apparently dead keyfob?
- How long does MB take to get a new key? What does it cost (pre-facelift W202)
- Is there anyway to disable the alarm/immobilizer (at least temporarily? cutting wires isn't an option, needs to be reversible)

Thanks!
M.

 

[stevesey]

It is a facelift, isn't it. Have you put the spare key in the ignition and tried it once you are in? The ignition part of the key is powered via a coil from the switch so this may still work even if the lock/unlock IR circuit doesn't.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

So I'm in trouble...

I managed to lost the keys to my W202; so I dragged out the spares...

Turns out the spare fob doesn't work (new batteries, little red LED flashes when button is held, but it doesn't unlock the car).

The valet key (or whatever the little metal key without a fob is called) unlocks the doors, but the alarm/immobilizer sounds.

I also have a third key that looks nothing like the others, it looks more like a fuel-cap key, but my fuel cap doesn't have a lock...

I'm kind of desperate to use the car on Friday; so I have a few questions:
- Any ideas on how to revive the apparently dead keyfob?
- How long does MB take to get a new key? What does it cost (pre-facelift W202)
- Is there anyway to disable the alarm/immobilizer (at least temporarily? cutting wires isn't an option, needs to be reversible)

Thanks!
M.

IIRC the third key that you talk about should be to silence the alarm. If your W202 C class is they sort of age I think it may be (with the visible / stuck on looking Ultrasonic detectors on the A pillars). Look in the engine bay and you may be able to see a separate siren for the alarm, this has a key switch on it which is operated by this third key. At least that's how it was on my mums '96 C200 and the '97 W140 we had years ago....

Hope this helps...

 

[Spinal]

It is a facelift, isn't it. Have you put the spare key in the ignition and tried it once you are in? The ignition part of the key is powered via a coil from the switch so this may still work even if the lock/unlock IR circuit doesn't.

No, it's pre-facelift (with the ugly rectangular keys)...

that said, I haven't tried starting the car once I was in as with the alarm going off I was more concerned about my nehibors Ended up shoving a pillow on top of the siren in the engine bay... now have disconnected the battery so as not to drain that...

Might give it a shot though...

M.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

No, it's pre-facelift (with the ugly rectangular keys)...

that said, I haven't tried starting the car once I was in as with the alarm going off I was more concerned about my nehibors Ended up shoving a pillow on top of the siren in the engine bay... now have disconnected the battery so as not to drain that...

Might give it a shot though...

M.

Ah, yes it's the same type of alarm that I thought of then.

Check the siren for a keyswitch (it may even be covered by a rubber cap).

 

[C230kompressor]

use the key to open the car and pop the bonnet! and asap get under and use the third key to shut off the alarm!
your spare key needs to be synchronized i had the sme problem when i braught mine!
the bloke told me he thaught the battery was flat in the fob!

there is a way to re sync the key yourself!
think you need 2 ignition keys!

 

[Spinal]

IIRC the third key that you talk about should be to silence the alarm. If your W202 C class is they sort of age I think it may be (with the visible / stuck on looking Ultrasonic detectors on the A pillars). Look in the engine bay and you may be able to see a separate siren for the alarm, this has a key switch on it which is operated by this third key. At least that's how it was on my mums '96 C200 and the '97 W140 we had years ago....

Hope this helps...

I owe you a beer or ten!

Went out, opened the bonnet and looked around the siren. There is a littel rubber cap on the side, popped that off and the key slid in perfectly. Turned it one way - didn't budge... turned it the other way and sucess!

Cautiously, I reconnected the battery... no siren! I slid into the passenger seat, opened the central locking then went to the driver side... opened the door and all the indicators started flashing... (well, the hazard lights)...

So THAT's what a silent alarm looks like

Happy that the alarm wasn't going to wake up my nehibors (they hate me enough as is) I tried to start the car... nada... immobilizer was not going to let me start...

Just for the sake of it, I went through the process to re-sync/re-pair the key using the spare key... then tried pressing the remote for 2 seconds... Suddenly, the doors locked around me! Success!

Unlocked the doors, and the car started! Whoop!

Saturday I need to change the thermostat and brakes, and then Christmas is still on! (and Friday I can get to work would have been very embarassing to arrive at the office in a rally prepared shogun )

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

M.

P.S. It's cold outside... very cold... forget snow, I want a hot chocolate and an open fire! Admins, got a javascript script for hot cocoa?


P.P.S. Now, assuming I don't find my keys (it's been a good few days) - I want to have a spare in case this happens again! Any idea what a spare will cost from a dealership? From what I read I can't get them anywhere else as they are sold coded... is the £235 tag for facelift keys only, or do the pre-facelifts carry the same... oxygen-absorbing pricetag?

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Glad you've got it sorted.

Unless I'm mistaken I'm pretty sure that the older 'flip' keys are a lot cheaper than the newer style keys.