Mokris

Hi everyone, just had a question or two I wanted to pose to the board. A couple days back I got cut off pretty badly and had a bit of road rage I am not too proud of. In the moment I smacked the dashboard a couple of times in anger . The rest of the ride was no problem, with the exception of the yellow exclamation triangle coming on during a turn and then turning off.

After being parked a short while I went to turn the car on and the key did not turn when inserted into the ignition. After several attempts and about 10 minutes of trying it turned on and I was able to get home without an issue. However, since then the key will no longer turn.

I've searched posts and found several with possible causes. I've checked fuses for the Start Enable (well two of them anyway bc the third is in a fuse box, 21-42, that I could not locate in the spots where they are shown on fuse map) and they did not appear blown, just seemed to have some black residue, but weren't broken.

The car battery was changed just a year or two back. I also read it might be something with an Interlock Mechanism not sensing the car is fully in park.

My question is could the smack to the dash have caused the EIS to fail? Or could it be some loose component, or other quick fix? Never had this kind of issue before and I would like to exhaust all options before hauling into a dealer.

Any advice or tips would be really appreciated and thank you in advance for replies.

Glyn M Ruck

Let's start at the beginning. When you insert the key in the EIS (just push it in - no turn). Does it achieve a handshake. i.e. do you hear servo's activate & the steering lock release?

Glyn M Ruck

For info:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...t-process.html

Mokris

Thank you for replying Glyn....I am not at the car at the moment, but I believe that there is no sound and the wheel is not locked.

Glyn M Ruck

Presume you mean the wheel is not UNLOCKED.

If you are not getting beyond this basic step you either have a damaged key or the EIS is not energising the key inductively or the EIS is damaged. Batteries in the key play no part in this.

Try spare key, clean IR windows in EIS and end of the key with a cotton bud & isopropyl alcohol.

Check this first & report.

Mokris

Ok will do Glyn. Should be able to get to work on it in a couple of hours and will post results.

Thanks again

Mokris

Ok, so I changed out fuses 32, upped 52, and 57. I also cleaned out both IR sensors. Once I connected the battery again the key still locks and unlocks doors, and headlights turn on and off. Key however, will still not turn once inserted in ignition.

Is there a way to get to the ignition piece inside the dash to see if impact may have jarred something loose? Any other ideas? Thanks again.

LILBENZ230

This appears it is going to be a costly bit of rage. I knew a guy once who got pissed off about something and slammed his fist down on his aluminum MacBook Pro. It bent, blocking the CD-Rom drive. Cost $1000 to fix. The EIS is not cheap and I'm not sure it is simple enough to be "jarred loose".

Glyn M Ruck

So you are saying when you just push the key in without trying to turn it nothing happens?

Mokris

That is what I am afraid of lilbenz...

One of the threads on here for a non-turn issue I read mentioned the car might not be reading it is fully in Park. I noticed that the gear display on the control panel does not show the W or S option above P as it usually does, and is flickering. Could this be related to that?

Mokris

Yes Glyn that is correct.

Glyn M Ruck

OK - then you need to get stripping to find out what is going on. You have no handshake & I presume your spare key does the same thing? If so that means it's not a key problem but a potentially expensive EIS problem. I hope you have just dislodged something.

Method:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ht=remove+dash

Good luck!

Mokris

Thanks Glyn! I am new on this board but have noticed that you are everywhere and really take the time. Just wanted to let you know it is appreciated. Hopefully I will report with good news.

Glyn M Ruck

Let's hope a connector has been dislodged.

Mokris

Glyn, I am at this point, but am having trouble dislodging the faceplate on the center panel and vents. Where are the pressure clamps located? Or are there screws?

Mokris

no worries, found a DIY thread....
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-diy-faqs.html

Glyn M Ruck

Pleased you found it! Sorry - I had to go to dinner.

Mokris

I've taken out the EIS piece and there wasn't any connector that seemed to have been out of place. All things seem to be pointing to the worst.

In a previous post, Glyn you mention that either the key was damaged or it's the EIS. My key is more than worn; it is cracked on the open/lock buttons and insides exposed. The key still locked and unlocked car, so I guess my final question is could the key be functioning properly in that respect bc it still has battery, yet have its DAS components failing? I spoke with a dealer on the phone and their only suggestion was to see if a battery change will fix it, if not then it is EIS. I was reluctant to commit bc you mentioned if the key is locking/unlocking it is def not the battery. Any help on my last gasp is really appreciated!

Mokris

Glyn - noticed you asked about a spare earlier. The car was purchases used in 06 and did not come with a spare.

Glyn M Ruck

The DAS components of the key can fail while the unlocking RF & IR components still work.

LILBENZ230

The key battery is not necessary to start the engine, as Glyn has pointed out. Even without batteries it would start the car. Perhaps you should replace the broken SmartKey first. The only thing is that if it IS the EIS, you've paid for a new key as well. But from the sound of it you need it.