C-Class (W202) 1995-2000: C 200 CDI, C 220 CDI, C 270 CDI, C 180, C 200 K,C 230 K, C 220, C230, C 280

1998 dreaded key wont turn in EIS

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Old Apr 27, 2013 | 03:38 PM
  #1  
speedyTE's Avatar
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1988 Benz 300TE "SpeedyTE"
1998 dreaded key wont turn in EIS

hey guys, have a quick question for the experts. Im having the dreaded key not turning in EIS cylinder problem. Symptoms are Key will NOT lock or unlock the car, key will not turn in ignition but door chime does come on when key is inserted and I've never noticed it before but the car can come out of park WITHOUT the key inserted. Ive tried the charge and disconnect the battery and checked all fuses and they are all ok. Also left the key in the EIS to see if it will reprogram itself.

My question is, Ive researched this problem and have not seen anyone online say that the car can go out of park with out the key in the ignition. Could this still be the problem of the Key or EIS? Again the fob seems dead as the batteries in it are new and the car does not respond to lock, unlock and trunk pop procedures. The key fob is also the original key from 1998 and i only have one key as i got it like that as i purchased it from 2003.

thank you for the help in advance.
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Old Aug 13, 2014 | 05:00 PM
  #2  
rtipping's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Cape Town South Africa
1999 W202 C280, 2003 CLK320 Conv. 1961 Jaguar Mk2, 1970 MGB Roadster
Hi Did you sort this problem out?? I have same with 1999 C280. Thanks
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Old Oct 3, 2014 | 12:45 PM
  #3  
c200 Goblin's Avatar
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From: St. Vincent
C200
Sounds like the EIS unit is gone. If the key is able to open and close the doors via the remote and the key battery is good, then the next problem is the EIS unit that you push the key into to turn the ignition on.
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 05:35 PM
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Erik78's Avatar
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1997 c230
I had the same problem and what I did was

1. Foot on brake car in park
2. insert key press it all the way to the right
3. slowly pull key out by just one notch
4. turn the key to the ignition and it should be able to start

I had the same problem and it turned out to be just a faulty copy of the original key.
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