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.

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.

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....

Outland

That's hillarious.

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.

KWiK

just tried it with my 2002 C230K and works like mentioned.

If you are having key problems, does the dealer replace the pcb inside or the whole key?

20FHK02

HOLYMOLY!! If you look at the inside of the case, even the push knob for the trunk release button is there!!!

nevide

[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?

20FHK02

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.

nevide

can't you just buy a sedan key and get it reprogrammed for your car? I know the sedan has the trunk release button. I don't think that it's worth it tho.

toki999

pohahah

imma gonna try to open my key tomorrow.....

wish me luck!

avlis

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.

TimmyC230boy

ditto avlis

MB-BOB

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?

jlm

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

MBSang

I have an idea. When you get a loaner, switch the key cover with your extra keys. haha.

young

so are you guys taking off the cover to do it? or are you just pressing firmly in that area?

20FHK02

Take off the cover and directly press the button on the PCB, with the battery connected of course.

Mercedes

How did the hell you guys get it out. I tried with twezers but no avail

peet

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!

peet

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?

firstkill

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

Benzer

SuperPEET - Thanks the best post ever

avlis

OMG, he's right!! I just went out and pressed the blank area on the key with both thumbs and it worked! WTF was MB's idea here?

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?!

FrankW

I can tell you why...lol...So they can charge you extra when you want to get a smartkey with trunk release buttom.

young

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.

Bobdole

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