HDKrizan

So I was just in my car an hour before this happened. The car would not start when I pushed the ignition button so I thought the remote lost communication with the car or something. However the remote would lock/unlock doors. The cluster said to remove the button and insert the key to start. This was a new one for me- why would this happen?

pamiboy

May be it's a one time glitch. See if it happens again and take it from there.

KEY08

I hate that push to start button and never use it. I like all of the other features of Keyless Go except that button.

HDKrizan

Really? Why is that? I love it. In fact it was one of the "must haves" for me.

cc16177

I never really understood the appeal either... and I've always been a Porsche fan which goes as far as to put the ignition on the left of the steering column just for "old times sake" (there's more to it than that if you really go back to why they did it but anyways...)

After having my MB for a few months now I cannot explain how much I appreciate the fact that I NEVER need to touch my key. I always wear sport coats so it goes in the inside pocket and I don't see it again until I need to change jackets. It's great!

thefisch

could be a low battery in the keyfob. Or just a one time glitch like pamiboy suggested. Let us know.

michael61

Must have of me too! I don't see ever owning another car without it.

Of course, I want to ditch the fob too. Detect my phone or watch!

HDKrizan

Yep, my fob stays in my pocket. Never use it.

Just changed the battery about a week ago so I'm ruling that out but I'll update if it does it again.

KarlG

This is most commonly a bad key battery. Sometimes "new" batteries are bad or old stock. Sometimes there is a bit of corrosion on the key fob battery contacts that make a poor connection.

beejAMG

really...for what reason?

KEY08

My phone and the key never got along as I keep them in the same pocket. I would constantly get the key not recognized warning so I pulled the button. Yes, I know, put the key in another pocket. ...
No biggie. I'm happy

SLpat

I hope you get your problem corrected. Keyless go is a great option and after having it I would hate to not have it. I do like the touch lock and unlock much better than the button you must touch on my old Infiniti. With kids I can open the back door and not have to go to the front door first. I realize the 3 feet isn't that big a deal, but I like the MB way better.

I have had the problem with my phone so I make sure they are no longer in the same pocket.

beejAMG

didnt even know it could cause problems. anyways, whatever floats your boat. have keyless on my sedan and 63 but not in the coupe. doesnt really bother me much but i prefer keyless over the conventional.

KEY08

Okay, you shamed me into trying it again. I put the button back and am keeping the key in my backpack. So far so good.

thefisch

One of us, one of us.

cc16177

Lol

ttm110

This is going to sound crazy but I had the same issue in my 2014 E250. Dealer indicated that some people have this problem due to static electricity in their pocket, causing the key to not register properly.

I bought a $10 silicone key cover that was supposed to solve the problem. Sure enough - it did! I haven't had the issue in 6 months (and no, it wasn't a battery issue)

Perhaps something similar may work for you, as silly as it sounds.

HDKrizan

Good to know! might pick one up

mnje350

love that push button start. Would not own a car without it. Not having to fumble with keys is awesome.

But... Some people still like to dial a telephone too.

mjsbenz

My 2015 E350 is currently in the dealership for this issue (3x already) and just got a call from the Service Director of Ray Catena Mercedes Freehold/Edison/Union who told me that there is a serviced advisory bulletin that suggests that the radio frequency from the key to the keyless go module is very sensitive to interference and a key fob rubber cover is the recommended solution.

Maybe I am over reacting but I am disappointed and annoyed that a rubber sleeve is what Mercedes recommends to deal with their antiquated technology. Other car companies do not use radio frequencies for the keyless go.

Is this a common issue or only a small percentage? I am the only one of my friends who have similar model mercedes that have this problem.

SteveE400

Sorry, but I doubt that the other manufacturers use anything BUT radio for this purpose. Any other medium would require actual line of sight. They may use different frequencies, but the only reliable means of communication without "sight" is some form of radio. Can't use infra-red - the beam wouldn't make it through your pocket.


I've used the keyless systems in a loaner Lexus, and had to open or close the car with the buttons as the keyless system also had a glitch.

jahquan3

Sorry to hear this. I've yet to run across anyone mentioning this issue until I came across this thread. Best of luck.

On a side note is Ray Catena - Union good service wise with prompt responses etc.? I live only a few miles from there but I've strayed away based on things I've heard in passing. I always just go to MB Prestige Paramus since it's near my job but on a Saturday it's a trek all the way to Paramus.

ttm110

Hi - I previously reported that my dealer (Open Road of Bridgewater NJ) suggested that I use a silicone key cover because sometimes the key wouldn't be recognized (this wasn't a battery issue). This did indeed solve my problem for a period of time.

However, about a month ago I started having the problem more regularly so I took it in for service. Turns out that a part near the rear bumper needed to be replaced; this part detects the key for the keyless go feature.

I found it annoying but at least covered under warranty and has worked fine since.

For grins, I removed the silicone key fob a few weeks ago. No issues with what was previously reported to be "static electricity" since.

Will keep you posted if the issue recurs but wanted to mention so you're aware that I actually had to have a part replaced about 1 year after first noticing the problem.

Tim.

snew0172

I have the exact same problem. I have probably been into the dealer 5 times. I have a RAV4 with keyless start. Zero problems. I think MB knows there is a problem with static electricity and the fob. They just don't want to spend the money to redesign the fob. They gave me a leather cover for my fob and it helped, so they know they have a problem. I am scheduled to go back in a couple of weeks. They supposedly had contact with a German engineer last time I was in. They had the car for 2 weeks but didn't replace anything. The problem only happens to me maybe once a month with the leather cover. Without the cover it was every week. It is disappointing that MB doesn't consider this a problem they really want to address.

Maallen40

It happens once every few months to me. I just use the key for the startup then every thing is fine. The next startup I push the button and all is well.
Ive changed the battery but this still happens...no big deal though.