just noticed there's an LED on the smartkeys
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
just noticed there's an LED on the smartkeys
i've had my car almost 8 months and i just noticed that there's an LED on the smartkeys that lights up when you press a button.
here's how i noticed it finally. i've been having trouble with my smartkey since i got the car but my wife's key for the car has worked flawlessly and i hadn't really put much thought into it until last night when my key pretty much quit working altogether. so i picked up my wife's and tried hers. that's when i noticed the LED. i tried mine again and noticed that it wasn't blinking and when it would actually work (1 out of every 20 tries or so), the LED would blink very very dimly (you could barely see it). my key has brand new batteries (i even tested them and they're fine) and the LED is still very dim and the key sucks. my key must have been defective from the start because i've never noticed the LED at all.
anyway, it seems my key is defective so the dealership will have to order me another. i know these keys have a reputation for sucking and i guess mine is no exception. for now i'm using my wife's key as it works perfectly.
thanks for reading, just thought i'd share.
here's how i noticed it finally. i've been having trouble with my smartkey since i got the car but my wife's key for the car has worked flawlessly and i hadn't really put much thought into it until last night when my key pretty much quit working altogether. so i picked up my wife's and tried hers. that's when i noticed the LED. i tried mine again and noticed that it wasn't blinking and when it would actually work (1 out of every 20 tries or so), the LED would blink very very dimly (you could barely see it). my key has brand new batteries (i even tested them and they're fine) and the LED is still very dim and the key sucks. my key must have been defective from the start because i've never noticed the LED at all.
anyway, it seems my key is defective so the dealership will have to order me another. i know these keys have a reputation for sucking and i guess mine is no exception. for now i'm using my wife's key as it works perfectly.
thanks for reading, just thought i'd share.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 278
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From: San Diego, CA
2014 Sport White on black
It's the battery
My car was 11 months old when my smart key battery died. Same problems you had. So instead of going to MB I opened MB manual and got the battery number and visited my local Longs Drug Store. The clerk told me that he sees at least one MB owner a week. He also reported that I would need two batteries. Total Cost 7 bucks. And now I can lock or open my car doors 50 yards plus. The IR feature works much better now.
It's up to you what you want to do but if you want to save time change out the batteries your self. I would do that first and if problems persist them get new key.....
It's up to you what you want to do but if you want to save time change out the batteries your self. I would do that first and if problems persist them get new key.....
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,750
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From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
wow, did you guys even read my post? specifically this part:
Originally posted by truelove
...my key has brand new batteries (i even tested them and they're fine) and the LED is still very dim and the key sucks. my key must have been defective from the start because i've never noticed the LED at all...
...my key has brand new batteries (i even tested them and they're fine) and the LED is still very dim and the key sucks. my key must have been defective from the start because i've never noticed the LED at all...
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 67
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From: Philadelphia, PA
'02 C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe in Citron Green
Just be careful that you don't get careless and order too many keys. A maximum of 8 keys can be made for you, after that you have to replace the entire ignition system.
A friend who works at MBUSA says this happens all the time on M classes!
-Marc @ 31,200 mi had the car for 363 days
A friend who works at MBUSA says this happens all the time on M classes!
-Marc @ 31,200 mi had the car for 363 days
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 75
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From: OR
I seem to recall a service bulletin about how it wasn't the battery going dead, but the contacts inside the key getting bent back. Maybe just bending them out to put more pressure on the battery will fix it.
Anyway, I never noticed the LED either. Well camoflaged.
jlm
Anyway, I never noticed the LED either. Well camoflaged.
jlm
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Originally posted by jlm
I seem to recall a service bulletin about how it wasn't the battery going dead, but the contacts inside the key getting bent back. Maybe just bending them out to put more pressure on the battery will fix it.
I seem to recall a service bulletin about how it wasn't the battery going dead, but the contacts inside the key getting bent back. Maybe just bending them out to put more pressure on the battery will fix it.
