umandla

my c180 w203 model has a problem.my key can lock and unlock the doors but it can not be sucked in by the EIS and cannot turn in the ignition.this happened after my battery went flat and had to try to jump start but the key cldnt turn.got another fully charged battery but nothing happened.all other electrical systems are fine except that the key wont turn.i have one key.pliz help

samaritrey

You need a star system to properly diagnose but sounds like a bad EIS. Another good thing to try is a spare key which if you only have one is not a bad thing to invest in now and see if it fixes your problem. Worse case you have an extra key.

Holmes5518

Point your key into your cell phone camera to check if it's sending an IR signal. If you jumped the car improperly there's some hefty pre-fuses you could have blown. Best bet is pay a 1hr fee for a pro to diagnose it. You'll save money in the long run instead of throwing parts at it.

Carsy

Interested to know whether you had the key in the ignition when you jumpstarted it & changed the battery ?

Moviela

The key does not use the battery inside the key to start the car. There is a coil in the key that is inductively coupled to the EIS. This is the power source for the electronics in the key to transmit the unlock code. No code, the EIS remains limp.

You should get an additional key anyhow, so now might be the time to consult a locksmith. In the USA some locksmiths now have the tools to program new keys. Keys can only be programmed once, so forget buying a used key and reprogramming it for your car.

A savvy smithy might be able to re-attach a loose component in the key that had come loose from dropping the key.

Carsy

Hello Moviela,

What I was wondering was, if the key was inductively coupled, as you say, with the EIS , when the jumper leads were attached ? . This voltage surge may have done damage to the EIS ?

I understand it is wise to remove the key , therefore isolating all you can when applying jumper leads or attaching or removing battery terminals to any modern vehicle.

JC

samaritrey

Check Fuses
Check for damaged key (doubt it as that would be a very strange timing unless you left key in or dropped it)
If all that fails get the car to a good indy or the dealer for proper STAR diagnostic.
...Cry if the EIS is bad as you just lost $1000 *I believe that is how much a new EIS and programing cost (please correct me if I am wrong)

tommy

If it is the EIS, they will have to cry several hundred to double your estimate. That's a lot of crying.

umandla

problem solved.the coil in the key was no longer attached to the chip.am having it soldered and also looking for another key

Carsy

Well done .Thanks for the update.