Has anyone actually fixed the radio receiver problem: U have to be 2" away to lock/u
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 431
Likes: 2
Ford Pinto
Has anyone actually fixed the radio receiver problem: U have to be 2" away to lock/u
I have searched this forum over and I can't find anyone that has posted a solid fix that they have done themselves when your remote stops working from a distance.
2002 C240 Sedan
One day, the car suddenly stops receiving inputs from both my keys unless I point it at the IR receiver on the door handle one inch away. Great, so I change the batteries in both. Still, I have to be one inch from the door handle to lock or unlock and that is iffy at best.
I purchase a new key with skeleton. $200 with tax. Ouch!
Same problem, except I can be two inches away from the door handle.
I am assuming this to be a radio receiver problem in the headliner. Has anyone fixed this themselves? If so, how and what parts.
I will do a DIY on this to post on my site but I need help to get that far.
Other notes: Radio reception seems fine. Windows are tinted.
TIA!
2002 C240 Sedan
One day, the car suddenly stops receiving inputs from both my keys unless I point it at the IR receiver on the door handle one inch away. Great, so I change the batteries in both. Still, I have to be one inch from the door handle to lock or unlock and that is iffy at best.
I purchase a new key with skeleton. $200 with tax. Ouch!
Same problem, except I can be two inches away from the door handle.
I am assuming this to be a radio receiver problem in the headliner. Has anyone fixed this themselves? If so, how and what parts.
I will do a DIY on this to post on my site but I need help to get that far.
Other notes: Radio reception seems fine. Windows are tinted.
TIA!
Last edited by wizkid; Feb 23, 2009 at 08:46 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
I have searched this forum over and I can't find anyone that has posted a solid fix that they have done themselves when your remote stops working from a distance.
2002 C240 Sedan
One day, the car suddenly stops receiving inputs from both my keys unless I point it at the IR receiver on the door handle one inch away. Great, so I change the batteries in both. Still, I have to be one inch from the door handle to lock or unlock and that is iffy at best.
I purchase a new key with skeleton. $200 with tax. Ouch!
Same problem, except I can be two inches away from the door handle.
I am assuming this to be a radio receiver problem in the headliner. Has anyone fixed this themselves? If so, how and what parts.
I will do a DIY on this to post on my site but I need help to get that far.
Other notes: Radio reception seems fine. Windows are tinted.
TIA!
2002 C240 Sedan
One day, the car suddenly stops receiving inputs from both my keys unless I point it at the IR receiver on the door handle one inch away. Great, so I change the batteries in both. Still, I have to be one inch from the door handle to lock or unlock and that is iffy at best.
I purchase a new key with skeleton. $200 with tax. Ouch!
Same problem, except I can be two inches away from the door handle.
I am assuming this to be a radio receiver problem in the headliner. Has anyone fixed this themselves? If so, how and what parts.
I will do a DIY on this to post on my site but I need help to get that far.
Other notes: Radio reception seems fine. Windows are tinted.
TIA!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
happens to me too sometimes, but only when it rains..which is strange.
On a side note, i'd like to thank for your website wizkid. Its helped me a lot, looking your maintence diy's.
On a side note, i'd like to thank for your website wizkid. Its helped me a lot, looking your maintence diy's.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
...a panty dropper...
I have heard of people changing the small black infrared reciever on the driver and passenger door handles which made the lock/unlock like brand new. The tint is also a factor as it has already been discussed somewhere on here and tells you where tint needs to be removed. GL with the fix!!! 
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
- No metallic tints
- Check wires not cut from rear screen when applying tint.
- Check stick on connector under center rear roof lining
- Check antenna amp earth in rear C panel
- Check antenna amp is not blown
Do a nice DIY for us.
Good luck
Here is a comment I posted earlier
"Yes the Aerial is built into the glass. The Amplifier is mounted above the rear screen on Coupes & in the LHS C pillar in sedans.
If tinting has been done then water frequently shorts the antenna & blows the RF amplifier or when trimming the tint they cut through the wires/traces as they exit the glass.
Metallised mylar tints frequently ruin radio & remote reception. Radio & remote share the antenna/aerial - Only option - remove & replace the tint.
So we have 3 potential problems.
- The tint itself
- Bad amp earth
- A blown RF amplifier
- A damaged antenna trace in the glass or wiring above the glass
The worse case scenario requires replacement of the rear window. The amplifier replacement is relatively easy."
- Check wires not cut from rear screen when applying tint.
- Check stick on connector under center rear roof lining
- Check antenna amp earth in rear C panel
- Check antenna amp is not blown
Do a nice DIY for us.
Good luck
Here is a comment I posted earlier
"Yes the Aerial is built into the glass. The Amplifier is mounted above the rear screen on Coupes & in the LHS C pillar in sedans.
If tinting has been done then water frequently shorts the antenna & blows the RF amplifier or when trimming the tint they cut through the wires/traces as they exit the glass.
Metallised mylar tints frequently ruin radio & remote reception. Radio & remote share the antenna/aerial - Only option - remove & replace the tint.
So we have 3 potential problems.
- The tint itself
- Bad amp earth
- A blown RF amplifier
- A damaged antenna trace in the glass or wiring above the glass
The worse case scenario requires replacement of the rear window. The amplifier replacement is relatively easy."
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Aug 8, 2014 at 12:17 PM.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
What have you checked? All of the above are relatively easy to check. Hopefully wizkid will do a step by step for those that don't feel confident. BTW you don't have to remove the roof lining & the back C pillar cover is easy to remove/
Install University rocks
Install University rocks
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
These have been the amplifier numbers for the 320 - suggest you check which one you have.
010 2038206489 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038206689 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038209889 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038270742 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038271942 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038200989 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038206889 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038206989 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038207289 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
Good luck
010 2038206489 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038206689 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038209889 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038270742 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038271942 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038200989 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038206889 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038206989 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
010 2038207289 001 AMPLIFIER ANTENNA
Good luck
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Houston
2004 C230K Sport
Same problem with the wife's 2004 C230K Sport Coupe, 79,000 miles and way out of warranty. AM/FM/IR no workey. Took it in for cam sensor warranty work and asked SA to diagnose this issue. He came back with a quote of $1093 parts and labor. LOL!! Seems this is about average since I called a couple of other MB stealerships in the Houston area. One even quoted me $1100 for the part and $800 for labor. OUCH!! Needless to say, I did not get this fixed. I was also told by a mechanic friend that some electronic components on MB's need to be "activated" properly and can only be done by MB techs themselves or you run the risk of further damage. Can you shed some light on this Glyn?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes - certain Benz components need to be "adapted" & recognised with a Star DAS. The antenna amp is not one of them. I hope you meant to say the AM/FM/RF or is your IR down as well? Do you have to use a hard key to lock & unlock the vehicle?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Houston
2004 C230K Sport
Sometimes we do have to use the manual key to unlock the car followed by a scurrying into the car to turn off the alarm. The SA told me it was the "comm bar" or communications bar. Nevertheless, I'm gonna have to find an alternative. Maybe DYI the fix if you think the headliner isn't that tough to remove/replace.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
02 C320
I have the problem with only one of my key fobs. I'm assuming that it's the RF portion of that unit and not the receiver end of the system since the other one works. For the other people, it would seem unlikely that both keys RF failed but would be nice to be able to verify if it's the transmitter or the receiver system that has failed.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Sometimes we do have to use the manual key to unlock the car followed by a scurrying into the car to turn off the alarm. The SA told me it was the "comm bar" or communications bar. Nevertheless, I'm gonna have to find an alternative. Maybe DYI the fix if you think the headliner isn't that tough to remove/replace.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I have the problem with only one of my key fobs. I'm assuming that it's the RF portion of that unit and not the receiver end of the system since the other one works. For the other people, it would seem unlikely that both keys RF failed but would be nice to be able to verify if it's the transmitter or the receiver system that has failed.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Marina Del Rey,Ca.
06' BMW M3
OP...I had this problem when I had my 05' 230...Service Advisor said it was a FM "receiver" software upgrade...IIRC...my car was under factory warranty at the time though...GL
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
That's the first time I've heard this one - I did not know there was any software/firmware to update - did you have Command?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Marina Del Rey,Ca.
06' BMW M3
...no I didn't have command....also this is what the SA had told me...so I can't say that was the cause/cure for sure...but I can't see why he wouldn't tell what was what...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
same problem for me, sometimes it works when im 2" away, somtimes it dont... i am currently using the hard key... i dont have a tint... i think its the amplifier antenna but i'll keep you updated
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
If you have no tint then 90% of the time it's that sticky pad connector - you can just push on the headlining or a blown amp. I think Benz have had crap with these amps - I can't believe the number of different part numbers for the same vehicles.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2005 C320
I know this may not fix everyone's situation reading this thread, but it did for me.
I was getting the no reception from far, and limited results from within 2 inches with the IR. I tried changing batteries at first, but that did not fix the problem. I then tried to use my spare key from a distance and it did not work either.
So I assumed that i must have a bad amp or receiver since neither key was working. This morning I began to check all the fuses (all good) and the ground (good as well) to try and track down the problem.
On a fluke I decided to use my spare key, since I have never used it since I got the car. I put the key in the ignition, turned on the power to make sure the car was recognizing the key till I saw the SRS light come on, and listed to a little bit of music as I contemplated how much this was going to cost to fix (maybe about 20 seconds).
After removing the spare key from the ignition I tried again to use the key fob and like magic it all worked, both keys, from at least 50 feet away. I don't know the technical reasons why this worked. My best guess is that the car needed to recognize both keys after I replaced the batteries in order for it to allow the remotes to work properly.
Recap: If you have replaced your batteries and are now not getting any reception go take both keys and place them into the ignition and turn to when you see the SRS light come on.
I may have just gotten lucky, but i didn't know this and it hasn't yet been addressed in this thread at least.
Good luck.
Special thanks to Glyn for all the information as I tried to track down this problem.
I was getting the no reception from far, and limited results from within 2 inches with the IR. I tried changing batteries at first, but that did not fix the problem. I then tried to use my spare key from a distance and it did not work either.
So I assumed that i must have a bad amp or receiver since neither key was working. This morning I began to check all the fuses (all good) and the ground (good as well) to try and track down the problem.
On a fluke I decided to use my spare key, since I have never used it since I got the car. I put the key in the ignition, turned on the power to make sure the car was recognizing the key till I saw the SRS light come on, and listed to a little bit of music as I contemplated how much this was going to cost to fix (maybe about 20 seconds).
After removing the spare key from the ignition I tried again to use the key fob and like magic it all worked, both keys, from at least 50 feet away. I don't know the technical reasons why this worked. My best guess is that the car needed to recognize both keys after I replaced the batteries in order for it to allow the remotes to work properly.
Recap: If you have replaced your batteries and are now not getting any reception go take both keys and place them into the ignition and turn to when you see the SRS light come on.
I may have just gotten lucky, but i didn't know this and it hasn't yet been addressed in this thread at least.
Good luck.
Special thanks to Glyn for all the information as I tried to track down this problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
I know this may not fix everyone's situation reading this thread, but it did for me.
I was getting the no reception from far, and limited results from within 2 inches with the IR. I tried changing batteries at first, but that did not fix the problem. I then tried to use my spare key from a distance and it did not work either.
So I assumed that i must have a bad amp or receiver since neither key was working. This morning I began to check all the fuses (all good) and the ground (good as well) to try and track down the problem.
On a fluke I decided to use my spare key, since I have never used it since I got the car. I put the key in the ignition, turned on the power to make sure the car was recognizing the key till I saw the SRS light come on, and listed to a little bit of music as I contemplated how much this was going to cost to fix (maybe about 20 seconds).
After removing the spare key from the ignition I tried again to use the key fob and like magic it all worked, both keys, from at least 50 feet away. I don't know the technical reasons why this worked. My best guess is that the car needed to recognize both keys after I replaced the batteries in order for it to allow the remotes to work properly.
Recap: If you have replaced your batteries and are now not getting any reception go take both keys and place them into the ignition and turn to when you see the SRS light come on.
I may have just gotten lucky, but i didn't know this and it hasn't yet been addressed in this thread at least.
Good luck.
Special thanks to Glyn for all the information as I tried to track down this problem.
I was getting the no reception from far, and limited results from within 2 inches with the IR. I tried changing batteries at first, but that did not fix the problem. I then tried to use my spare key from a distance and it did not work either.
So I assumed that i must have a bad amp or receiver since neither key was working. This morning I began to check all the fuses (all good) and the ground (good as well) to try and track down the problem.
On a fluke I decided to use my spare key, since I have never used it since I got the car. I put the key in the ignition, turned on the power to make sure the car was recognizing the key till I saw the SRS light come on, and listed to a little bit of music as I contemplated how much this was going to cost to fix (maybe about 20 seconds).
After removing the spare key from the ignition I tried again to use the key fob and like magic it all worked, both keys, from at least 50 feet away. I don't know the technical reasons why this worked. My best guess is that the car needed to recognize both keys after I replaced the batteries in order for it to allow the remotes to work properly.
Recap: If you have replaced your batteries and are now not getting any reception go take both keys and place them into the ignition and turn to when you see the SRS light come on.
I may have just gotten lucky, but i didn't know this and it hasn't yet been addressed in this thread at least.
Good luck.
Special thanks to Glyn for all the information as I tried to track down this problem.
I cant try this because i have only one key...
