Key won't turn
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
2002 Mercedes c320 sedan
Key won't turn
I did a search.
So the key won't turn in my 2002 mercedes c320 with 164,000 miles (I am aperently the only person who drives their cars alot) during the hotter parts of the day. I don't mean it will fight me, it just won't turn (I can try to turn it at all, but it is like it is the wrong key, which it isn't). It takes a good 20 minutes sometimes, and I am stuck there with no A/C trying to turn it.
Now I no what you are going to say "Oh, get a new key." Well I am getting one, but I don't think it is the key. During the cooler times of the day or at night, I can just slip the key in and turn it all freaking week. During all times of the day I can unlock my car and open the trunk (locking is a pain in the a*s) but it takes less tries to do it during the colder hours.
My sister used to take the batteries out a lot and she broke the little clip in the bottom on the micro chip so could this be the cause? I am really at a loss for words. The only other problem is I need the stepper motor arm replaced and the A/C needs new refigerant. These couldn't cause this... could they? Thanks for any help.
So the key won't turn in my 2002 mercedes c320 with 164,000 miles (I am aperently the only person who drives their cars alot) during the hotter parts of the day. I don't mean it will fight me, it just won't turn (I can try to turn it at all, but it is like it is the wrong key, which it isn't). It takes a good 20 minutes sometimes, and I am stuck there with no A/C trying to turn it.
Now I no what you are going to say "Oh, get a new key." Well I am getting one, but I don't think it is the key. During the cooler times of the day or at night, I can just slip the key in and turn it all freaking week. During all times of the day I can unlock my car and open the trunk (locking is a pain in the a*s) but it takes less tries to do it during the colder hours.
My sister used to take the batteries out a lot and she broke the little clip in the bottom on the micro chip so could this be the cause? I am really at a loss for words. The only other problem is I need the stepper motor arm replaced and the A/C needs new refigerant. These couldn't cause this... could they? Thanks for any help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
As the temperature rises the efficiency of the LED's in the key and EIS goes down. As the key gets older the light output also drops. Couple this with a layer of dirt on the infrared lenses and you have a no start condition.
I think everyone knows that you do not need a battery in the key to start the car. When you dock the key in the EIS an inductive coupling provides power to the key. Use some Windex on a Q-tip to clean the red plastic windows.
Your car probably reaches 140 inside when parked in the sun. Use your key to open the windows and sun roof to let that heated air out. Takes about a minute. Push and hold the unlock button next to the car to do this.
I think everyone knows that you do not need a battery in the key to start the car. When you dock the key in the EIS an inductive coupling provides power to the key. Use some Windex on a Q-tip to clean the red plastic windows.
Your car probably reaches 140 inside when parked in the sun. Use your key to open the windows and sun roof to let that heated air out. Takes about a minute. Push and hold the unlock button next to the car to do this.
