'extra' key button thread... chapter 3
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,249
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
'extra' key button thread... chapter 3
So I took apart one of my smart keys just now. Lo and behold... the trunk release button IS IN THERE! The key plastics are different is all!! That's insane!
So go to town folks. Mods a go go.
P
P.S. Before someone asks... pull out battery and metal key. Then with needlenose pliers gently pull out white plastic and PCB. It is not glued, but the white plastic thingy is a compression fit holder.
So go to town folks. Mods a go go.
P
P.S. Before someone asks... pull out battery and metal key. Then with needlenose pliers gently pull out white plastic and PCB. It is not glued, but the white plastic thingy is a compression fit holder.
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From: Orange County, CA
2002 C230K Sportcoupe
I'll go you one better:
You're right, and it WORKS. My 2002 C230K popped the trunk open quite obediently when I pushed the button.
Hrmph. Now that's damn silly - why would they include the electronics in the KEY and the CAR but opt not to give you a way to use it???
PS: If you want to take your key apart, be SURE not to grip just the PCB with the pliers, get the white plastic thing too. There are trace wires on the edge of the PCB and you could damage them.
Now.. How to get a 2003 smart key plastic case, or modify the existing one....
You're right, and it WORKS. My 2002 C230K popped the trunk open quite obediently when I pushed the button.
Hrmph. Now that's damn silly - why would they include the electronics in the KEY and the CAR but opt not to give you a way to use it???
PS: If you want to take your key apart, be SURE not to grip just the PCB with the pliers, get the white plastic thing too. There are trace wires on the edge of the PCB and you could damage them.
Now.. How to get a 2003 smart key plastic case, or modify the existing one....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by Clownburner
I'll go you one better:
You're right, and it WORKS. My 2002 C230K popped the trunk open quite obediently when I pushed the button.
I'll go you one better:
You're right, and it WORKS. My 2002 C230K popped the trunk open quite obediently when I pushed the button.
Does the sedan have a remote trunk release? If so, the Coupe may make use of the same trunk latch...as such the release solenoid may be integrated into the unit. Not including this button in the coupe remote is down right idiotic.
Sounds like another way the marketing people are trying to keep the Coupe from looking like the deal of the century it is.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Ames, IA
C230 K
[quote] Now.. How to get a 2003 smart key plastic case, or modify the existing one.... [quote]
do you mean that the 03 coupe has a trunk release button? Mine doesn't.
let's bash MB with thousands of emails regarding this issue.
-edit- I now see why MB might not want to include this. The trunk has no spring action like the ones in the sedans so if they include the button, it will look silly just to have the hatch pops but not open. Besides, if the hatch does have a spring release, it could be dangerous because it might bump to some low clearance parking building's ceiling. What do you guys think?
do you mean that the 03 coupe has a trunk release button? Mine doesn't.
let's bash MB with thousands of emails regarding this issue.
-edit- I now see why MB might not want to include this. The trunk has no spring action like the ones in the sedans so if they include the button, it will look silly just to have the hatch pops but not open. Besides, if the hatch does have a spring release, it could be dangerous because it might bump to some low clearance parking building's ceiling. What do you guys think?
Last edited by nevide; Nov 20, 2002 at 02:03 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 844
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From: SF South Bay
2002 C230 Coupe
Indeed... I did bump the trunk onto the I-beam of the low ceiling at my dad's apt the 2nd day I bought the car. And now there are 3 little dots on the edge of the black back piece...
I'm thinking thining the surface of the trunk release button area like the unlock button using dremel or something. This should work, but requires patient and skill.
I'm thinking thining the surface of the trunk release button area like the unlock button using dremel or something. This should work, but requires patient and skill.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Un-freakin-believable.
I tried this at work and my PCB seems to be really stuck in the housing. I'm afraid I'll break it here at work and end up stranded so, I'll wait until I get home.
I think thinning out the plastic material is a good idea. I don't think we'll have to remove much to make a button.
I tried this at work and my PCB seems to be really stuck in the housing. I'm afraid I'll break it here at work and end up stranded so, I'll wait until I get home.
I think thinning out the plastic material is a good idea. I don't think we'll have to remove much to make a button.
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Wow, fellas. This is an AMAZING thread. I have the 3-button SmartKey for my sedan, so it doesn't affect me, but this is a thrill to read what's developing here. Good detective work, Peet!
But wait, there's more...
Why am I thinking of that thread a couple weeks ago about the Smart Key available on eBAY? (Don't recall if it was a 2 or 3-button). We all agreed that the key was useless, since it couldn't be programmed. BUT, the 3-button OUTER CASING could be used for this application. Just plop your electronics into the 3-button plastic shell and presto. Right? (thought bubbles going off everywhere, mad clicks searching eBAY...
)
Ooooooo! Maybe call the dealer to ask for any of those defective first generation Smartkeys laying around... "But I don't want the insides, just need the shell..." I don't know if the dealers return them to MB for warranty credit, but it's worth a shot to call, right?
But wait, there's more...
Why am I thinking of that thread a couple weeks ago about the Smart Key available on eBAY? (Don't recall if it was a 2 or 3-button). We all agreed that the key was useless, since it couldn't be programmed. BUT, the 3-button OUTER CASING could be used for this application. Just plop your electronics into the 3-button plastic shell and presto. Right? (thought bubbles going off everywhere, mad clicks searching eBAY...
)Ooooooo! Maybe call the dealer to ask for any of those defective first generation Smartkeys laying around... "But I don't want the insides, just need the shell..." I don't know if the dealers return them to MB for warranty credit, but it's worth a shot to call, right?
Last edited by MB-BOB; Nov 20, 2002 at 11:35 AM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 75
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From: OR
You have to wonder just what was going through their heads when they made this decision.
I'm planning on asking my service guy to hold on to any defective 3-button keys that may come back. Just change the case. It'll come in handy when I get a car!
jlm
I'm planning on asking my service guy to hold on to any defective 3-button keys that may come back. Just change the case. It'll come in handy when I get a car!
jlm
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 844
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From: SF South Bay
2002 C230 Coupe
Originally posted by young
so are you guys taking off the cover to do it? or are you just pressing firmly in that area?
so are you guys taking off the cover to do it? or are you just pressing firmly in that area?
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
This has to be the most insane thing I've ever seen - well maybe next to the lack of dip stick :p ... but I see a future where all of a sudden the C240 loaners are all missing trunk buttons! hee hee.
Since I screwed up one key - and that's how I found out about this - I bought a new one so I'll be set for now.
Glad this helps y'all.
My thought to make the existing key work is to use a tophat shaped button (torn out from some old electronic device. Then drill a small hole where the button needs to go and insert the tophat shaped button so the bigger part stays inside. Trick will be to find the right shaped button.
In any event... mod away!
Since I screwed up one key - and that's how I found out about this - I bought a new one so I'll be set for now.
Glad this helps y'all.
My thought to make the existing key work is to use a tophat shaped button (torn out from some old electronic device. Then drill a small hole where the button needs to go and insert the tophat shaped button so the bigger part stays inside. Trick will be to find the right shaped button.
In any event... mod away!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,249
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
Oh yea, one more thing... If any of you figure out how to add springs, solenoids or what have you to actually raise the hatch - please PLEASE share the info.
I'd love for it to go up. But I'll settle for unlock, then when hands are full you can raise it without reaching for the unlock button on the lid.
P
Next hack: sunroof auto close - really now, doesn't anyone want to play and trade consoles with a sedan?
I'd love for it to go up. But I'll settle for unlock, then when hands are full you can raise it without reaching for the unlock button on the lid.
P
Next hack: sunroof auto close - really now, doesn't anyone want to play and trade consoles with a sedan?
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Well right now.. i can push the button through the casing with my right thumb haha... but my left hand is too weak.
I wonder if it would just be easier to wear out the space over the hidden button by pressing on it like 10000000000000000 times
or just to file it down thinner... or something
~fk
I wonder if it would just be easier to wear out the space over the hidden button by pressing on it like 10000000000000000 times
or just to file it down thinner... or something
~fk
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From: FairFax, Virginia
Peet is a HERO !!!
SuperPEET - Thanks 
the best post ever
the best post ever
Originally posted by peet
So I took apart one of my smart keys just now. Lo and behold... the trunk release button IS IN THERE! The key plastics are different is all!! That's insane!
So go to town folks. Mods a go go.
P
P.S. Before someone asks... pull out battery and metal key. Then with needlenose pliers gently pull out white plastic and PCB. It is not glued, but the white plastic thingy is a compression fit holder.
So I took apart one of my smart keys just now. Lo and behold... the trunk release button IS IN THERE! The key plastics are different is all!! That's insane!
So go to town folks. Mods a go go.
P
P.S. Before someone asks... pull out battery and metal key. Then with needlenose pliers gently pull out white plastic and PCB. It is not glued, but the white plastic thingy is a compression fit holder.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Originally posted by firstkill
Well right now.. i can push the button through the casing with my right thumb haha... but my left hand is too weak.
Well right now.. i can push the button through the casing with my right thumb haha... but my left hand is too weak.
Funny thing is, I tried this before (thinking I could telepathically program the key or something) and I guess I didn't press hard enough. If I did, I probably would have fainted then opened a 1-900 number business!
I'm going to the dealer and complaining that it takes too much force to get the trunk button to work. He'll say, "there's no trunk button on your key". Then I'll bring him outside to show him that there is and it's too hard to press!
Wow! Wow ! Wow! Either that or I'll bet him a new key that I can open the trunk with a 2-button key.I've heard of easter eggs in DVDs but in my MB key?!
Last edited by avlis; Nov 20, 2002 at 02:02 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by Clownburner
Hrmph. Now that's damn silly - why would they include the electronics in the KEY and the CAR but opt not to give you a way to use it???
Hrmph. Now that's damn silly - why would they include the electronics in the KEY and the CAR but opt not to give you a way to use it???
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
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From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
well, i'm going to the dealer tonight and i'm going to ask if they have any spare casings... like from broken keys or something.
--
ok, i went to the lot and tested this feature... i had to hold it down for like 1/2 a second and it pops open (but not up). i have a weak thumb though, so i had to use the head of my keyring.
--
ok, i went to the lot and tested this feature... i had to hold it down for like 1/2 a second and it pops open (but not up). i have a weak thumb though, so i had to use the head of my keyring.
Last edited by young; Nov 20, 2002 at 02:37 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 320
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From: COMPTON,CA
C32
caseing
one step ahead of u Young,i did that today,there could be a problem they told me,that changing the casing is fine but the igntion can have complications,cause that is not trasferable,but i'll try it any way,just waiting now
