w211 ignition key will not turn

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badmoon

Active Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Messages
62
Location
Milton Keynes
Car
W221 S500L
Hi I cannot start my w211. On friday the key fob would not open the doors but they would open with the emergency key and the key fob would still start the car. Then today stopped to get some diesel but on return to the car the key would not turn in the ignition lock. So I bought new batteries for the fob which now locks and unlocks the car but still will not turn in the ignition lock. Any ideas on what to try next
 
Try the spare key? If that does not work then you may have a faulty electronic ignition switch.

If the spare key works then you may have a damaged immobiliser circuit in the other key.

Information on both possibilities are available here by using the Search function.

The batteries only play a part in transmitting the lock / unlock signal. They have nothing to do with the key being recognised and releasing the ignition switch / steering lock.
 
Try the spare key? If that does not work then you may have a faulty electronic ignition switch.

If the spare key works then you may have a damaged immobiliser circuit in the other key.

Information on both possibilities are available here by using the Search function.

The batteries only play a part in transmitting the lock / unlock signal. They have nothing to do with the key being recognised and releasing the ignition switch / steering lock.
Hi DSM10000
unfortunately I do not have a spare key I will try the search function Thanks
 
What happens when you put the key in the ignition switch?

Does it unlock the steering column and do any dashboard lights come on?
 
What happens when you put the key in the ignition switch?

Does it unlock the steering column and do any dashboard lights come on?
Hi absolutely nothing happens and key wont t urn at all
 
I had this with a faulty alarm causing the car to not start and when I used the key it did nothing.

If you remove the drivers front wheel and the arch liner you will see the alarm.

Disconnect it and then try starting it.

Takes about 15 mins to do

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
I had this with a faulty alarm causing the car to not start and when I used the key it did nothing.

If you remove the drivers front wheel and the arch liner you will see the alarm.

Disconnect it and then try starting it.

Takes about 15 mins to do

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
The OP cannot turn the key so it will not be the alarm unit stopping this, almost certainly the problem is with the EIS.
 
Ok no worries . This resolved mine though

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
You can find a second had unit on eBay and get your current EIS' data cloned to it.
 
Stuck in gear? Ot at least the car thinks it is in gear.
 
Open car. Place key into the ignition. Listen down by the pedals straight away. If you hear a series of short clicks (they won't be on for long though) you have a faulty EIS.
I recover loads like this, although I can normally get the car to run.
 
Stuck in gear? Ot at least the car thinks it is in gear.
Hi The car is stuck in park, rear wheels definitely locked. Had to have car recovered by flatbed as it was stuck at Tesco petrol station and is now at an independent MB specialist. Nice surprise for them on Monday morning.
 
Open car. Place key into the ignition. Listen down by the pedals straight away. If you hear a series of short clicks (they won't be on for long though) you have a faulty EIS.
I recover loads like this, although I can normally get the car to run.
Hi GRAV888 how do manage to get car to run
 
It's knowing where to hit it, literally. If EIS is gone, it needs replacing anyway.
 
It's knowing where to hit it, literally. If EIS is gone, it needs replacing anyway.
I was very tempted to hit it last night left me stranded 8 miles from home in the rain, dead mobile and no money for taxi so a long wet walk home
 
Hi None on at the moment just emulators
You need to search for the part number.

There could be several generation of part numbers, however, the older ones will still work. There are six part numbers that were for my car, I manged to find a 5th generation EIS and got my EIS cloned (recently), all working.
 
... Had to have car recovered by flatbed as it was stuck at Tesco petrol station and is now at an independent MB specialist. Nice surprise for them on Monday morning.

That made me smile, I had to do the same thing with mine a few months ago, and yes, my indie got a nice Monday morning surprise too (though car broke with different reason)
 

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