USCGTO

So long story short, I approach the car, the keyless go works - for doors. As I unlock and sit inside, I press the ENGINE start/stop button on dash - nothing. All electronics dead. So I take out the button and insert the key-fob and volla!! It starts!!

I drive some 10 miles or so, in rush hour traffic, with the key-fob in. Stop at a store for couple mins - come out and decide to try the keyless go. Insert the button and press it- Now it works...

Drive home in keyless-go mode. Park the car in garage.

This morning at 4:30 AM,

Doors open fine, but the just like yesterday, the car doesn't start - no light on dash - just like the day before. So I took the button out and try with the key-fob. Nothing. I figured maybe the key-fob battery is low, so go inside and grab the never-used spare key-fob. Nothing.

I am thinking its the key-fob battery. Any thoughts?

USCGTO

unfortunately, seems something like this:

aussie e55

i had same problem 6 weeks ago local MB dealer said problem was what in the old days we called ignition barrel but now is electronic new part has to b coded by MB in another state over $2000 & 4 days covered by warranty i hope this it not your problem.

USCGTO

I really really hope its not the steering part. I have other stuff I need to take car of. Not spending **** loads of time on taking the car down to dealer/

aussie e55

an indi workshop can remove part but it is my understanding the coding can only b done by the MB parts wharehouse at least this is the case in australia all the best

USCGTO

The car being a 2011 is under regular warranty. I am not worried about the cost - I am more worried about the downtime. One of the reasons, why I was hoping that it's just a key-fob battery.

I am working with my dealer to drop off a loaner at my place and have this towed to their dealership.

Time is the main issue here.

aussie e55

i hope they look after you my dealer did lent me a demo c class with only 6000 Km. even though i did not buy my car off them great service they also said a common problem how many miles have u done.

USCGTO

8k miles in2.5 yrs

aussie e55

mine had 54,000 Km. its now 10.42 pm & i am going to sleep all the best.

khmergod

Most likely battery. Mine did same thing few months back both batteries were dead/near dead. Sometimes worked sometimes didn't. Pick up a 2 pack from drugstore.

SheryarYO

even if the battery is completely dead in the remote, the car should still start if you're putting the key in the ignition. the key uses a laser to start the car and would start even if you had no battery at all in the key fob.

USCGTO

Yes, Thats essentially what the dealer said on phone call this morning. I am assuming it could be the car battery.

Most likely car battery. Gonna rush back home in lunch time and attempt to jump-start it. Lets see. fingers crossed. Otherwise MB tow service.

khmergod

That means my car battery might go out soon too.

USCGTO

Depends - My car did 8k miles in over 2.5 yrs or ownership. I won't be surprised if its the battery. I guess its worthwhile to have the battery checked quarterly by a simple voltmeter. My GTO had a voltmeter in there.

roadtalontsi

its the steering lock not the eis (what yall are calling the ignition barrel). If it was the battery why would the car lock and unlock perfect then do nothing and then randomly start up no problems. Its still vin coded so youll have at minimum 2 days down time. 2k$? lol. its more like 7-800$ parts and labor.

USCGTO

The battery wasn't the issue. The car could still be steered easily when in neutral. At the dealer - so we'll find out soon.

adv4nced53

On my old C300, the RFID reader broke and it wouldn't read the key. The reader/ignition had to be replaced. Idk how that works with keyless-go.

ZephyrAMG

Well? Whats the latest? I hope its not anything steering column or more serious.... GL

SROC276

Sounds a lot like battery.....I had similar problems twice this year. Car parked, went to start and nothing. I have a 2010. Battery went bad and replaced a week ago.

deeoh

Did you get a message on the dash alerting you the battery needed replacing? Mine did that, replaced the key battery and no message since...

USCGTO

UPDATE:

Car was towed.












Car started at the dealership. Every single time. every day.
MB US involved - clueless.
MB Germany involved - solution posted below:

Here's the solution :











Apparently the static generated by the key-fob and my trousers (lol) disabled the kyfob. So MB Germany updated some sort of software and put this sleeve on and gave me back the car.

neoprufrok

I hope that's the solution to my problem too.

ghh923

Sorry to bump an old thread, but my Keyless Go is completely unresponsive. Nor will the car turn on--or have any lights turn on--when I pull the starter button out and attempt to start the car that way. It's just a massive brick at the moment. I have to manually lock the doors as well. Does anyone know of a solution?

Mort

Check your battery. Probably needs to be replaced.

ghh923

Thanks Mort. I went by MB to get a spare key--which I've needed to do anyway--and had them throw a new battery in the fob. No dice. Going to move to the car battery next. Is it always the case that a low battery message will display when the battery is low, or have folks seen their batteries just up and go the way of the dinosaur?