W210 won't recognise key after battery swap

[Cureforsanity]

Now then.

Yes, I know I only post on here when I want something.....

I decided this morning to press the wife's 1998 W210 E280 back into service after being off the road for 12 months (gearbox fault).

I stole the battery to put on my W639 when I couldn't be ****d shelling out for a new one and it's been fine. Sticks out a bit but champion.

Now I've refitted it to the E class the key won't turn. It'll lock and unlock no probs but won't turn in the ignition.

The remore key had new batteries in it a while back and I remember there was some weird reset sequence where I had to point the key at the rear view mirror etc.. then wait 30 minutes. But of course I've forgotten how to do it and can't find the thread on here!

I've waited for an hour now with the key in the ignition and still no joy/sync/recognition.

Hopefully I may be able to get it going after bargain hunt then I can change the cam sensor then I can run it up and change the gearbox oil, filter etc...

No, I never 'got round' to doing those at the time either.

Any ideas chaps?

Tally Ho!

 

[renault12ts]

RVM?...not on this car.

The system for opening the doors and that for starting the car are different. In fact you should be able to start the car without batteries in the key.

So, the key or the eis is faulty.

 

[Cureforsanity]

Cheers,

I don't know what to check first though and how to.

It was running fine before I robbed the battery though. Well, except for the gearbox.....

 

[Dieselman]

What type of key do you have, electronic or with a flip out blade?

 

[Cureforsanity]

'Tis the electronic item, black with 3 buttons, open, close and boot release with flat emergency key.

 

[Dieselman]

It doesn't need synchronising. Do you have a spare key and have you tried it? Does the steering lock make any noise at all? It might be worth giving it a bash to free it off.

 

[Cureforsanity]

Sadly no and no.

The mileage and temperature light up but nothing else.

There IS something else though: (as usually there is with me)

I also have a W639 Vito with a very similar key and I was fiddling about with it a few weeks ago but mistakenly tried to use the E class W210 key to start the W639 Vito. It turned the engine over but tweeted at me and said start error but of course wouldn't start. Just before I got on here to panic I realised I had used the wrong key, but it shows one key is operational in the other.

Now saying that, today I've tried both keys in the ignition of the W210 and neither will turn.

On trying the W210 key in the Vito today it won't recognise it today like it did a few weeks ago.

Hopefully this is telling me it's the key that's at fault rather than the EIS but I only have the 1 key and I can't move the thing!!!

And why would it just suddenly give up the ghost when it's been fine for aaaages?

 

[Dec]

Are ALL the small wires connected and secure on the Positive + post of the battery?
What electrical consumers are not working when the ignition is switched on?

Dec

 

[Dieselman]

Hopefully this is telling me it's the key that's at fault rather than the EIS but I only have the 1 key and I can't move the thing!!!

I suspect so. Try pointing the key at the outside door handle and using the comfort opening/closing feature. That will test the IR part of it's operation.

 

[johnsco]

I had a similar problem when I bought the E300TD.
Two keys came with the car.
Both would open the door, but only one would start the car.

Took the dodgy key apart and examined it under a magnifying glass.
At the "business end" of the key ... the end that goes into the ignition slot - there is a coil.
The wire right at the end of the coil was broken.
I (very-carefully) unwound a further turn of the coil to give me some slack wire.
I then soldered the two broken ends together.
This cured it and I've used the repaired key every day for the past two years.

WARNING ... It may not be this.
FURTHER WARNING ... If it is this - It's a real fiddly job to do.

 

[Cureforsanity]

Righto,

Tomorrow's shopping list:

New batteries
Soldering iron
Big bag of ****d

Thanks everyone, I shall give it a go.