--Push start for w203--
But why bother? A pre-built keyless EIS for this car (if they make them) would probably be around 1000-2000 dollars because of MB premiums slapped on everything. You don't even have to hold your key to keep the engine cranking. Just let it touch position 3 and it'll do it on it's own.
BTW - Al, there are aftermarket kits that work in Civics; I think it's more the problem that MB's EIS is a nightmare, and people tend to not customize MBs anyway, more than it's people think that C class owners are below grade (though there is some of that too, obviously).
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i thought about it and as much as i would like to have some options newer cars have it's not a deal breaker nor worth the time and money and headaches...the one thing i need for sure if the one i find doesn't come with would be the rear sunshade...i'd have to retrofit that
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well the C's going to be my new toy for now but were also trading in our tsx for a highlander soon so the lil guy and me in a w203 will be fine

A lot of interesting optional stuff there. Wish the pre-facelift cars had active TMPS available too. I don't understand the "upgrade" to the CLK seats, but a lot of those I'd love to have, distronic in particular.
...And to AlexBenz...Congratulations!
But why bother? A pre-built keyless EIS for this car (if they make them) would probably be around 1000-2000 dollars because of MB premiums slapped on everything. You don't even have to hold your key to keep the engine cranking. Just let it touch position 3 and it'll do it on it's own.
both remote and push button start have 2 options.
Option 1 is purely mechanical. I used a solenoid and a small dc motor and many 3D printed parts. The solenoid pushes the key into the EIS and the dc motor turns the key. It’s all enclosed in a box that go’s over the key and clips onto the EIS. Big bulky and not 100% reliable. With some relays and some hodge podge wires to the after market start stop button ECU.
Option 2 uses a key and an raspberry pi, with some clever infrared sensors and senders the passcode can be read and fed back to the car on command. There are a few mods needed on the EIS but once all is done and wired the key is no longer needed but the raspberry pi is than permanently part of the EIS. This way takes a bit more knowledge of electrical engineering but it is possible.
If any part of the systems becomes defective, the car can shut down or engage the steering lock while driving. Neither of these conditions are safe and there fore these key bypasses shouldn’t be done as it can lead to an accident or even death.
I have seen only one fully plug and play system, it was created by an Chinese electrical engineer, he would not share his knowledge as the w203 becomes very easy to steal once any of these modifications have been done.
Given the information I have provided you can now see how it can be done but sometimes somethings just shouldn’t be done. The W202 and the W204 have pre-made systems and with some knowledge of your wire diagrams you maybe able to safely use one of those systems.
There is also an ECU bypass chip you can purchase and solder inside the ECU to completely turn off the security. If you do this anyone can use any Mercedes key or screwdriver to start your car.
Learning how the modules talk to each other along the canbus can be very helpful as well. The canbus in the w203 is like any normal computer network and the packets can be stolen and read.
Sorry I will not upload any photos of these units as I do not wish to be responsible for them being used to steal cars or cause fatal accidents.
Midcity has a unit for the W203’s built after 2003 that let you remote start using your original key.
Last edited by Banjora w203; Jun 12, 2023 at 04:38 AM.



