benz111

Hi there,

I currently have the updated Chrome Smart key for my w203, and it looks like i may have pressed the unlock button a little too hard and it has made a crack on the unlock button.

Its only small, and everything still works fine, but i am thinking over time it will get worse and the unlock button might fail.

Can i just change over the cover or would i have to get a whole new smart key?

thanks.

LILBENZ230

You'll have to get a new SmartKey - and don't buy one from Ebay, they can't be programmed. It IS possible to gut a SmartKey but isn't easy to do.

benz111

So if i got hands on a smart key lets say from Ebay, i wouldnt be able to swap over the insides at all?

e1000

you can swap the guts, it's pretty easy.

remove blade, remove battery holder, remove inside circuit board. replace shell and you're done.

LILBENZ230

My mistake. I was thinking of the thread where someone was swapping guts from the old style SmartKey to the new chrome one.

e1000

Yes, if you're going to a different style key than a chip transplant needs to be done. If you're trying to stay with the same style key however, you can buy an e-bay key and use the shell from the new key. Whole process should take 10 minutes, 2 if you've taken the key apart before.

Nokiemon

Yes super easy to swap out. Just use a light touch as to not damage the plastic parts and it takes 5 minutes or less.

My wife is always trashing the key by doing weird girl stuff with it, so as a precaution, I bought two extra smart keys off ebay just to use the shell to swap out the innards. Works great.

e1000

i kid i kid!

LILBENZ230

This is good to know. I don't mind the old style keys. One of mine is brand new still and the other is in good shape, but if something happens I can replace the shell easily. I just can't easily do the swap to the chrome one.

e1000

correct.

nrg_mike

The key for my 02 coupe had the same crack on it and it never failed for the life of the car. You should be good for a long while.

benz111

Thanks for the replies guys,

Does anyone have a DIY for this?

Here is a pic of the Smart Key with the spare key and battery cartidge removed. But how would the cirtcuit bord come out?

Sorry about the Blurry Iphone pic.

e1000

grab the white plastic piece with some pliers and pull. I use a small keyring and "lasso" it out

benz111

Should it just slide out? Or do you need to wiggle it out?

Thanks.

e1000

You have to pull to get it going but once it's loose it falls right out.

benz111

Ok kool, would you need to use some kind of force to get it into the new housing?

I am going to do this, it will save alot of money rather getting a new smart key and getting it programmed at a dealer etc...

e1000

no just push it into the new shell by hand

benz111

Thanks E1000 , Now off to Ebay to find a new housing.

benz111

After looking on Ebay, Ive noticed that alot of the Smart keys have a Red Panic symbol on the Tip of the remote.

My remote that i currently have doesnt.

Would it still fit inside? Is there anything different about the remote with the Panic?

Heres my remote:

Star Rider

I have the same style key, but it has the red "panic" button on it.
It also has a similar crack on the "unlock" button. Still works though.

e1000

should be fine. your circuit board may not have the button for the panic key, so that might not work but everything else should be the same.

duke444

how much is a chrome smart key from the dealership?

samaritrey

$150-$350.
150 was a while ago and was a really good deal i got one wish i had got two lol. a lot of dealers like to jack up the price the highest i have seen was $350.

duke444

e1000. i was reading your car description. where did you get the hid fog lights and high beams? do they match the xenons?

e1000

Yeah everything is 6000K on my car. Even the LED city lights match up pretty good. I installed HID kits into the fogs and for the high beams.