1of427

I recently purchased a 2006 S65 AMG. I got it from the original owner, a dentist in the Dallas area. It has 73,000 miles. He had all the service records and books and manuals, even the original window sticker. It is in very nice condition. I have some questions.

It has Keyless Go and when I try to start it with the button in the top of the shift lever it fails to start most of the time (I have my foot on the brake). When I stick the key in the dash and turn it, it starts just fine. Is this malfunction a failure of a particular known part, or could it be several things?

The floor mats simply say “Mercedes Benz”. Should they say “AMG”?

Mercedes made only 427 of the 2006 S65. Is there any way to tell which one my car is? My serial number ends in “427” and I would like to think this means it’s the last one, but that is probably not the case as serial numbers are normally sequential for all cars coming down the line, not just for a particular version of a model.

My car thinks the key is always in it. The chime sounds even when the key is outside of the car. Is there a setting I can change to stop this?

In the attached photo, what are the wrenches I find in the glove box?

Welwynnick

Hi Jim, and congratulations on your new acquisition.


Those wrenches are probably emergency winders for the sunroof.


Nick

ItalianJoe1

Your keyless go issue is probably a failing button, they go bad or the wires between them and the shifter break. Do you get the "depress brake to start" message when you try and it doesn't start? Or does it just do nothing?

1of427

I do not get the message about depressing the brake pedal. It appears to know I am doing that.

ItalianJoe1

Do you get any warning message activity when depressing the button? If you try it with no key in the car, do you get a key not detected message? It's likely your wiring harness to the shifter button is breaking.

Welwynnick

You shouldn't need to press the brakes to start. CORRECTION - with the key, I mean.

You do need to press the brakes to get out of park.

The selector knob isn't difficult to remove - just twist 90 degrees anti-clockwise and pull off. Then you can test the button switch with a meter.

If that's OK, you probably need someone with an MB STAR scanner that can read the switch status and starting logic, which is complex.

Nick

jlg32281

I think what he is saying is that it attempts to start but the starter doesn't stay engaged long enough as if he was just bumping the start position with a regular key on a regular car. At least that's how I read it. If this is the case, it would seem that as long as the switch sends a start signal, it should start independent of how long that signal is held. I only say this because it's not like I have to hold down the button on mine; I just press it briefly and it starts long after I've already let off the button. But what do I know, I'm new to this.

maw1124

I'm blissfully without keyless go, so I cannot comment there. I am curious as to whether the car cranks for an extended period or does nothing. Periodically I get an extended crank on mine. I replaced the crank position sensor, yet the condition persists. I haven't gotten into it, as I don't drive the car enough for it to really bother me.

Mats should say AMG. A good indicator is the date the car was built. The end of July '05 were the last of these, as MB retools for new chassis in August. If you regarded your 2006 as a "leftover 2005" you wouldn't be far off. Mine is a 7/05 build and it's clearly custom order, judging from what it has (some stuff typically reserved for 65 series cars) and what it doesn't have (no gizmos -- parktronic, distronic, keyless go -- which I consider to be useless electronics that break easily and cost lots of money).

Finally, the existence of the wrenches out of place would concern me. You should go through and sync your windows (hold the up position for 3 seconds), and sunroof (hold the close position for 3 seconds) with the key in the On position (not sure what this is w/KG). You'll hear a very faint electronic "click". That way you'll ferret out any problems with the roof closing.

Good luck and congratulations.

maw

P.S. The window and roof sync procedure are in your owner's manual I believe. If you don't have one already, you should get a VMI and/or Build Sheet for your car, which will show you manufacture date, in service date, engine and trans numbers, options, warranty repairs, etc.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

invest in a STAR DAS system. you will need it.

sakodik

Doing this actually broke my keyless go on my 2003. The keyless go button is connected via 2 prongs from the button to the shifter, like your phone charger to a wall outlet. You do not want to twist!

Quadrobenz

My 2006 S65 had d keyless go. It is necessary to depress the brake to start the car with the button in the shift knob. Pressing the button without depressing the brake pedal cycles the ignition to accessory, then on, then off without actuating the starter. It sounds like the start button is failing.
The floor mats should have AMG on them.
The door chiming even without the key in the car is correct and is a real irritant with that year car. It times out after 30 seconds, which will seem like forever. I am not aware of any setting or reprogramming that can stop the chime.

1of427

Thanks for all the help.


I found I was not pushing down hard enough on the button in the shift lever. The owner's manual says you have to push on the brake to start via Keyless Go. It is working fine now. A good friend of mine with a lot of Mercedes experience says they're not designed for girls. I've found some more questions.


What is a STAR DAS system?


I have an independent repair shop claiming spark plugs are not necessary at 60,000 miles on this V-12. What is the truth? How difficult is it to replace them?


Is there more to changing the coolant in the main system than simply opening the drain in the bottom of the radiator and then refilling with a 50/50 mixture?


How difficult is it to get to the fuel filter?

jlg32281

It seems we both bought the same car at the same time and are looking for the same answers. Any info I get I will send your way. We need to get our hands on the maintenance schedule and shop manual.

1of427

JLG--why don't you email me directly: jameswraymond at yahoo dot com

Welwynnick

The MB STAR DAS system is a PC-based diagnostic and control system designed for dealers, but available from many Chinese copy-cats. They're most commonly based on the Dell D630, and use a complex multiplexer to interface with the car's OBD-2 port. All modern cars have On Board Diagnostics ports, but MB STAR allows access to all Mercedes custom processors and data. Its extremely useful, and far superior to any generic scanner.

V12TT's have double iridium spark plugs fitted as standard, and they're good for 100k miles. Change them if you wish, but its quite a lot of work. Just don't bend the coil packs, and make sure you NEVER fit any plugs with 1.0 mm gaps, because they will overload and break your valuable coil packs.

Coolant change is as simple as you describe. Just be sure to use the right MB 325.0. coolant / antifreeze.

Download the MB owners manual.
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...owners_manuals

If you don't get MB STAR, definitely buy MB WIS and EPC for your PC. That's all the workshop manuals and the parts catalogue. Cheap on eBay etc.

Nick

Sixty2nds

Hello S65'rs about those spark plugs...

The 2006 Maint. Booklet, Page 58 says 275 engine..
replace at 60,000 miles or 5 years

The 113 engines replace at 100,000 or 5 years.

Quadrobenz

I replaced my plugs on the S65 at about 60K miles. They definitely needed replacement. On the SL600 they were still good at 80k miles. The AMG's seem to go through plugs and oil faster than the regular V12's.