Problem with W203 key fob
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13
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CLA W117 220CDI (2014)
Problem with W203 key fob
Hi everyone,
I read most of the topics referred to the problems on key fobs for C class W203. I have a problem and need your assistance. My 2 key fobs won't work from distance (RF) only from close range. I read that it might be fuse number 8. Checked that and fuse is ok (7.5A). It's a 2003 model sedan with no alarm and fuse does not blow as other users indicated as a problem (with alarm system). What should I check for? How do I find the amplifier to check if that is the problem? What other reasons might be causing this?
P.S. I checked both my keys with a key specialist and they are both ok
I read most of the topics referred to the problems on key fobs for C class W203. I have a problem and need your assistance. My 2 key fobs won't work from distance (RF) only from close range. I read that it might be fuse number 8. Checked that and fuse is ok (7.5A). It's a 2003 model sedan with no alarm and fuse does not blow as other users indicated as a problem (with alarm system). What should I check for? How do I find the amplifier to check if that is the problem? What other reasons might be causing this?
P.S. I checked both my keys with a key specialist and they are both ok
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
No, it's an MB ENTHUSIAST site; big difference.
Search for discussions on the receivers in the door handles; that seems to be the overall weak point in the system that people have had replaced (and yes, it's expensive).
I started to have similar problems years ago; had the MODS4CARS module installed in my car, and it's worked perfectly since. It wasn't cheap (around $300), but it does take care of the problem completely, and gives you some nice benefits too.
Search for discussions on the receivers in the door handles; that seems to be the overall weak point in the system that people have had replaced (and yes, it's expensive).
I started to have similar problems years ago; had the MODS4CARS module installed in my car, and it's worked perfectly since. It wasn't cheap (around $300), but it does take care of the problem completely, and gives you some nice benefits too.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13
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CLA W117 220CDI (2014)
REALLY?? What is it that offended you exactly? The fact that a forum named "MBWORLD" and not "ENTHUSIAST" as tommy indicated (who I thank for his reply on my problem) earlier, with thousands of registered users and specialists could not provide an answer a week after a question has been submitted? Let me ask you something; had you seen my question when submitted several months ago? Did you know the answer? If you did, is there a reason you didn't post a reply before I said what I said? Either way, I never thought I was offending anyone with that. I just said what popped into my mind, that almost a week after placing a question to a site dedicated to MB (call it experts, enthusiasts, world etc) I would expect to get at least some replies. Was that offending to you? So you thought you 'd drop by and share it, right? Guess you also know the answer to my problem, right?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I really didn't mean it in exactly the same way that LIL did, but you've got to realize that people here are of varying levels of knowledge, and have their own sh*t to deal with too. So it's more of a "you get more flies with honey than vinegar" kind of thing.
Also, you should generally take the info here with a grain of salt, and verify things before proceeding based solely off of what someone here said. Unless it's Glyn, who is always in the right (just ask him
).
Anyway, good luck with your current situation; it's something that almost everyone here has been through, unfortunately (like the fading in the heat MFD issue in the gauge cluster), and there are several approaches to take.
Also, you should generally take the info here with a grain of salt, and verify things before proceeding based solely off of what someone here said. Unless it's Glyn, who is always in the right (just ask him
). Anyway, good luck with your current situation; it's something that almost everyone here has been through, unfortunately (like the fading in the heat MFD issue in the gauge cluster), and there are several approaches to take.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the more knowledgeable individuals in these cars have already moved on to newer MB vehicles or just another vehicle in general. Patience is a virtue!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13
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CLA W117 220CDI (2014)
There isn't much I can do for now neurodave. I'm planning on moving to the CLA but not earlier than in 2 years, so I gotta find some solutions to my current situation at the moment.
Tommy, I know how u meant it; I just used ur "expression" in my conversation with lil, just to emphasize my point; either way I really thank you for ur reply and suggestions. I'll look into them. Who's Glyn btw? Ohhh ... and I do have an issue with my MFD but I wouldn't expect otherwise, especially with the temperatures here!
Tommy, I know how u meant it; I just used ur "expression" in my conversation with lil, just to emphasize my point; either way I really thank you for ur reply and suggestions. I'll look into them. Who's Glyn btw? Ohhh ... and I do have an issue with my MFD but I wouldn't expect otherwise, especially with the temperatures here!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13
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CLA W117 220CDI (2014)
well, it used to work from more than 30m (if I remember correctly). That's 100ft+ and yes, it happened all of a sudden. I don't have any ting on my car!
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
So lets go over everything it could be.
Key
rear amp
rear antenna
wiring
You said you have two keys and they were tested but I have never heard of a test for range so maybe it is the key...
Rear amp is a common issue but that is usualy after water gets into them after a tint job.
Rear antenna could have been damaged/leads cut any rear stickers or anything?
wiring could obviously be an issue but as it works to some degree I doubt it.
To be honest if it works when your close to car I would say move on its an old car and without blindly buying parts for it or getting an expert working on it. That said it would bother me too but my w203 has over 200,000 miles so I am fast to write it off but if it was my newer w211 I would be upset.
Key
rear amp
rear antenna
wiring
You said you have two keys and they were tested but I have never heard of a test for range so maybe it is the key...
Rear amp is a common issue but that is usualy after water gets into them after a tint job.
Rear antenna could have been damaged/leads cut any rear stickers or anything?
wiring could obviously be an issue but as it works to some degree I doubt it.
To be honest if it works when your close to car I would say move on its an old car and without blindly buying parts for it or getting an expert working on it. That said it would bother me too but my w203 has over 200,000 miles so I am fast to write it off but if it was my newer w211 I would be upset.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
CLA W117 220CDI (2014)
So lets go over everything it could be.
Key
rear amp
rear antenna
wiring
You said you have two keys and they were tested but I have never heard of a test for range so maybe it is the key...
Rear amp is a common issue but that is usualy after water gets into them after a tint job.
Rear antenna could have been damaged/leads cut any rear stickers or anything?
wiring could obviously be an issue but as it works to some degree I doubt it.
To be honest if it works when your close to car I would say move on its an old car and without blindly buying parts for it or getting an expert working on it. That said it would bother me too but my w203 has over 200,000 miles so I am fast to write it off but if it was my newer w211 I would be upset.
Key
rear amp
rear antenna
wiring
You said you have two keys and they were tested but I have never heard of a test for range so maybe it is the key...
Rear amp is a common issue but that is usualy after water gets into them after a tint job.
Rear antenna could have been damaged/leads cut any rear stickers or anything?
wiring could obviously be an issue but as it works to some degree I doubt it.
To be honest if it works when your close to car I would say move on its an old car and without blindly buying parts for it or getting an expert working on it. That said it would bother me too but my w203 has over 200,000 miles so I am fast to write it off but if it was my newer w211 I would be upset.
