W203 C240 Key Not turning.

[richiecclass]

Hi. I have a W203 2001 C240 Elegance and last night after parking the car I tried to start it and the remote key would not turn in the ignition. You can hear the nosie when the remote gets placed into the ignition and also all the lights and cd work fine when I turned them on as I thought it was a battery fault. Also when I tried to lock the car they key would not do so. I only have the one key for the car so I'm going to order a new one on Monday from my dealer Mercedes-Benz of Belfast. Do you think it is the key at fault our would it also be the battery?

 

[seymansey]

I've had this occasionally, you need to clean the end of the key, and the receiver in the lock which the end of the key touches.

 

[richiecclass]

I'll give this a go now and see it I can get it to turn.

 

[richiecclass]

Gave the end of the key and also the ignition inside the car a clean with some lens cleaner and still no joy. I take it the key is knackerd? Also the key batteries were recently replaced two weeks ago and the light on the fob comes on when pressed.

 

[seymansey]

Well, the clue here is that you said the ignition makes that noise when the key is inserted (i'm guessing this is the steering wheel lock being released). This suggests to me that perhaps there's an issue with the barrel itself? I've had issues with the battery, and i didnt hear the steering lock click, and couldn't turn the key. Unfortunately the EIS (Electronic Ignition System) is a pricey thing to be playing trial and error with.

 

[richiecclass]

Yes the wheels can be turned. Best bet would be to get it taken to a mechanic before I order a new key?

 

[richiecclass]

I also unhooked the battery and left it for 30mins and then hooked back up and still no joy. Anyone else have any other ideas I could try?

 

[SchwarzesAMG]

This happened to a friend once!
He did get away by taking the cluster off, cleaning the plugs with a contact sprey and fitting back!

The sound is the steering wheel lock but the EIS may still be damaged!

 

[richiecclass]

I ordered a new key from the dealer to see if that works. Any other ideas I could try before the key arrives?

 

[richiecclass]

New key arrived today and the car started straight away, So it looks like the key was at fault. On another note can the old key be repaired?