Starting the car without a key.. is it possible?
09-14-2009, 07:40 PM
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Starting the car without a key.. is it possible?
I have a 2000 E55 AMG and i believe the EIS went out on it. Put the key in the ignition and it will not turn 1 bit. Went out and bought a new key for 200+ and it didn't fix the problem. I was just wondering if it was possible to start the car without the key maybe like an onstar kind of thing with the SOS button. I wouldn't mind replacing the part if the towing cost wasn't $500 to the closest dealership + 1300 for the electronic ignition switch and installation. They said it might have just thrown a code but for 500 dollars id rather put it toward the scanning machine I'm sure ill need it again. If anyone knows anything about this any input would be helpful
09-14-2009, 10:07 PM
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98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
First, I'm assuming you tried known good batteries in the original key.
The new Smart key will need to be coded to your car's ECU to work. That's a dealer only operation. I'm afraid you'll have to bite the bullet and get the car to the dealer.
BTW, I don't think $500 will put much of a dent in the cost of your own SDS.
Good luck.
The new Smart key will need to be coded to your car's ECU to work. That's a dealer only operation. I'm afraid you'll have to bite the bullet and get the car to the dealer.
BTW, I don't think $500 will put much of a dent in the cost of your own SDS.
Good luck.
09-14-2009, 10:19 PM
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09-14-2009, 10:41 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
A.
"First, I'm assuming you tried known good batteries in the original key."
The key needs no battery to start the car.
B. Have you checked the cars battery?
C.What good will spending $2500 on an sds do if you don't know what the diagnostics mean and how to resolve the issue?
D. charge the battery
E. after that disconnect it and try to reestablish comm with the key when you re hook it up.
F. if that fails tow it to an indie shop with an sds.They can order a special one time use das key to reprogram the system if that is the issue.
G. No, there is no way to start it without the key. the key generates a rolling code to the das.
The key needs no battery to start the car.
B. Have you checked the cars battery?
C.What good will spending $2500 on an sds do if you don't know what the diagnostics mean and how to resolve the issue?
D. charge the battery
E. after that disconnect it and try to reestablish comm with the key when you re hook it up.
F. if that fails tow it to an indie shop with an sds.They can order a special one time use das key to reprogram the system if that is the issue.
G. No, there is no way to start it without the key. the key generates a rolling code to the das.
Last edited by ohlord; 09-14-2009 at 10:43 PM.
09-15-2009, 08:50 AM
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I have taken the battery out fully charged it also had it tested at my buddies shop. Only 1 shop around here works on Mercedes and they charge just as much as the dealership and I really don't trust them to work on the car because of previous work that was done there. So looks like its off to the stealership I go then to a more simplistic car like a 69 Camero ss/rs.
09-15-2009, 11:19 AM
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98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Well, I learned something new (re:key), I would have assumed that the some power would be necessary to communicate via IR with the EIS and I was wrong. Sorry.
Kevin, I was referring to a factory SDS bought from MB (if you could). There have been several 'reverse-engineered' systems on eBay using electronics from asia and a pirated copy of an older version of Carsoft International's software. Some as cheap as $100 without a laptop. Those seem to have dried up awhile back but I did see a post recently from a guy in Canada. As for the post you referred to it's from early 2008 so maybe that one's not available. But ohlord's right that having an SDS isn't going to solve the problem if one doesn't have the knowledge and experience to exploit it's use.
You might try shopping around for a transport service. Maybe someone who needs the work will negotiate a better price.
Good luck.
Kevin, I was referring to a factory SDS bought from MB (if you could). There have been several 'reverse-engineered' systems on eBay using electronics from asia and a pirated copy of an older version of Carsoft International's software. Some as cheap as $100 without a laptop. Those seem to have dried up awhile back but I did see a post recently from a guy in Canada. As for the post you referred to it's from early 2008 so maybe that one's not available. But ohlord's right that having an SDS isn't going to solve the problem if one doesn't have the knowledge and experience to exploit it's use.
You might try shopping around for a transport service. Maybe someone who needs the work will negotiate a better price.
Good luck.
09-15-2009, 08:09 PM
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GL450
My understanding is basically that the key has an RFID chip. The car sends power to the key through induction, and the key sends back an RF signal. So, no key battery needed to start the car.
The Carsoft software ($100-$200) is unlikely to help you reprogram your car key. There are "shared" copies of SDS software that are available, but are well into the thousand dollar range.
The Carsoft software ($100-$200) is unlikely to help you reprogram your car key. There are "shared" copies of SDS software that are available, but are well into the thousand dollar range.
