My Key Fob's Transponder broke.. requesting solder'ing pro local
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
My Key Fob's Transponder broke.. requesting solder'ing pro local
So... just yesterday, some funky stuff happened.
I could unlock, lock, and pop open my car's trunk.
But when I stuck my key in the ignition... Nothing.
Usually you get the steering wheel unlock sound, right?
Nada. All the electronics worked, so I ruled out all the things that could've been wrong.
I heard my key make a weird noise when I moved it around, so I opened it up.
So if you look at the photo, you'll notice a few things:
My spare key is on the left side.
I noticed the button is a different color: Grey vs Black on my old key.
The right side, my key is cracked from prolonged use.
The top chip, is my spare's currently working key.
The bottom chip, is my original key that no longer works.
And what you should see from the bottom chip is that... a plastic piece wrapped in coils.. broke off. Probably when I dropped it or had it smashing around in my pockets.
The plastic piece to the right of the chips:
I've noticed that when you take the chip out, there's a tiny piece on the plastic that ALWAYS breaks. It's as though the mercedes engineers designed it so that they would know if you've tampered with the key... Smart b's..
Anyways.
I've come up with a few solutions:
1) Buy new key ($200+ from stealership)
--Upgraded key and get to use this silicone case. There are a few different color and varieties of this, and I think it's quite cool actually. Shrug, to each his own.
2) Buy dead new key, and swap chips.
--I don't know how to solder, etc...
3) Use spare key, and buy a leather case for it.
--All the cases for the older keys suck ***. Cost ridiculous amounts. But it would protect the spare from gaining new damage.
4) Use spare.
--Might break it again...
5) Find someone who knows how to solder / do the DIY with the old key to new key conversion. Pay him. Then buy the silicone of my choice for the new key, so it's a mod and a cool "upgrade."
I personally would like option 5 if someone that knew how to do the DIY were close to me, and would like to help me out
I can come to you, I'll pay you, or buy you some food/brews
I could unlock, lock, and pop open my car's trunk.
But when I stuck my key in the ignition... Nothing.
Usually you get the steering wheel unlock sound, right?
Nada. All the electronics worked, so I ruled out all the things that could've been wrong.
I heard my key make a weird noise when I moved it around, so I opened it up.
So if you look at the photo, you'll notice a few things:
My spare key is on the left side.
I noticed the button is a different color: Grey vs Black on my old key.
The right side, my key is cracked from prolonged use.
The top chip, is my spare's currently working key.
The bottom chip, is my original key that no longer works.
And what you should see from the bottom chip is that... a plastic piece wrapped in coils.. broke off. Probably when I dropped it or had it smashing around in my pockets.
The plastic piece to the right of the chips:
I've noticed that when you take the chip out, there's a tiny piece on the plastic that ALWAYS breaks. It's as though the mercedes engineers designed it so that they would know if you've tampered with the key... Smart b's..
Anyways.
I've come up with a few solutions:
1) Buy new key ($200+ from stealership)
--Upgraded key and get to use this silicone case. There are a few different color and varieties of this, and I think it's quite cool actually. Shrug, to each his own.
2) Buy dead new key, and swap chips.
--I don't know how to solder, etc...
3) Use spare key, and buy a leather case for it.
--All the cases for the older keys suck ***. Cost ridiculous amounts. But it would protect the spare from gaining new damage.
4) Use spare.
--Might break it again...
5) Find someone who knows how to solder / do the DIY with the old key to new key conversion. Pay him. Then buy the silicone of my choice for the new key, so it's a mod and a cool "upgrade."
I personally would like option 5 if someone that knew how to do the DIY were close to me, and would like to help me out
I can come to you, I'll pay you, or buy you some food/brews
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Looks like your coil cracked. You will need a new coil.
The grey v. black release button is because each key has a different number. This is useful for people with memory seats and mirrors. You can attach your settings to grey and when you open the car the motorized pieces will fall where you like. When black opens the car the motors move to that keys settings. Very clever those Germans!
The grey v. black release button is because each key has a different number. This is useful for people with memory seats and mirrors. You can attach your settings to grey and when you open the car the motorized pieces will fall where you like. When black opens the car the motors move to that keys settings. Very clever those Germans!
