Hello all, long time reader of the forum, first time poster.

I'm having an odd problem with my Car. I put the key in, and it wont let me turn it, I have to try a few times and it lets me, then 50% of the time when it works, it will either work perfect, or it will turn the car on but with no electrical at all, nothing but the engine running, no lights, no dash, nothing.

I did an extensive search of the forum, some things that came up were the EIS possibly, Key problem, possibly dead or dieing battery (already replaced, brand new better battery now), whats also odd is when I got the new battery the problem vanished for a few days, now its back.

Any tips to narrow this down would be helpful, I just tossed 4G's into the car a few months back (suspension work/a lot of minor problems) and am not looking forward to bringing it back to the stealers.

Thanks.

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2003 C230 Kompressor, 180,000km.

 

I take it you don't have a spare key to test? Eis sounds correct my aunts clk430 had issues just like that until they replaced it.

 

I definitely agree w/ trying the spare key to see if you have the same problems. I had a problem with the car not starting once and MBZ tech kept having me make sure the key was clean and could be read.

 

My uncle has that same car and the same thing happen to him many times until one night we can out of a bar and it just stopped turning 100%. The benz dealer can with flatbed truck next day and got the car. They had to replace the whole key unit and had to order a tool to even get the key holder out. This was in Western MD and it took about a week to get back... Crazy

 

No Spare to test, maybe ill just buy a new key anyway to try and to have a spare. Anyone know if when they replace the EIS the keys need to be reprogrammed?

 

Just for giggles, try turning the trim ring around the ignition clockwise. Make sure the rear mounted Cylinder doesn't come off the surface mount.

You want to make sure the ignition cylinder is seated flush into the trim ring.

 

The ring around the ignition was very tight, wouldnt budge.

I did notice something, when I insert the key its a bit loose, I can wiggle it a bit left and right. When I hold it tight to one side as i turn it seems to start fine. Maybe its bent or warped on the inside, going to see if I can Mcgiver something to test this theory.

Do all keys have a bit of left/right give to them when inserted, or are they solid? I dont remember if mine was always like this.

I know if I take it to the dealership they will say "You need an entire new EIS, you can fix an EIS".

 

I don't see a way that the ignition can get bent. Just doesn't seem possibly. If for some reason you can't get the ignition to seat from the outside, you can also try reaching it from behind. Honestly, I'm thinking you just need a 1/8th of a turn for it to consistently work for you. When it is in correctly, you should have no play//wiggle.