Mercedes101

I recently acquired a year old C240. The previous owner had some trouble with the bad keys but they were taken care of under warranty - only problem is that the car came with one smart key. When i called the dealer to order a spare they informed me that all 8 keys were made and that they could not make any more - probably due to all the repairs that had been made to the system. So, anybody know how i can solve this problem? given the nature of the Smart Key i feel very uncomfortable having only one key given the failure rates out there and that i would have to replace a lot of parts of the car to get a whole new system. Can Mercedes make an exception to this rule given the well documented problems with Smart Keys? So far everything works great but im getting nervous!

Fuzzo

I didnt know there was a limit to the number of keys that could be made.... did you ask the dealer what happens if the key that you have right now doesn't work... are they going to tell you that you are SOL?

have you asked the previous owner if they have the other key??

Mercedes101

unfortunately i don't know the previous owner and don't have a way to get in touch with him. The Mercedes dealer i tried to purchase the spare said something about having to put in a whole new system that operates the smart keys and control modules (anybody know what that is and how much it would cost?). This would be a drastic last step - I want to gather some information and then approach Mercedes about making a new key since the original problems with the smart key required all the replacements to be made.

mbtech208

There are 8 different SmartKeys available for your car, along with three duplicates of each key, for a grand total of 24 different possible keys. Once all 24 keys have been used, you will need a new Electronic Ignition Switch. I have yet to see a customer go through all 24 keys. When your car is new, it is supplied with Keys number One, Two, and Three. One and Two are the main keys, Three is the emergency "valet" key.

Mercedes101

MBTech, so given what the dealer told me i can't have a "new" key made but it sounds like I should be able to have a "duplicate" of my current key made. Is that correct?

Thanks - this is the kind of info i don't get from Mercedes!

Mercedes101

Is the mechanical emergency "valet" key considered a Smart Key - my understanding is that the car is supplied with Keys 1 and 2 only?

mbtech208

Since all 8 original keys have apparently been used (something I have yet to see), you can start with the first set of duplicate keys. I'd order Duplicate key number One.

And yes, the emergency key is a SmartKey too, it just doesn't have the remote entry buttons or the panic button. When the car is new, the emergency key is key number Three.

TimmyC230boy

When I got my new C230 it only can with 2 keys. No valet key to my knowledge, wasi supposed to get one?

Deb

TimmyC230Boy,
Check your owner's manual under keys. The valet keys are cleverly locked into the smart keys.

Point of clarification: I referred to the mechanical keys as "valet" keys because of the terminology used above "emergency, mechanical, valet...." Apparently the C230K comes only with two smart keys, each with a mechanical key inserted. At least that is what I got.

Deb

mbtech208

Actually, those are just the mechanical keys. You should have gotten a third SmartKey which is thinner than the normal SmartKey, and is missing the buttons for remote entry. This is your valet/emergency key.

Lynn

I only received two keys.

young

i think they changed it for 2002 (sedans too). you used to get 3 keys. now you get 2.

Cullen

I'm lucky.. my car accidentally came with 3 full-size normal keys. The salesman said it was a mistake, but of course let me have them all anyway. No valet key, which i think is the normal now.

awiner

I got 3 keys as well. 2 normal smart keys and a 3rd valet key. Maybe they did change this in 2002. I'll ask and find out.

patrick

In Europe, from dec. 2000 on, cars are delivered with only two "smart" keys, no emergency key.

MB-BOB

mbtech, my understanding is that the electronic emergency key was supplied with 2001 models, but is not supplied with 2002 sedans or coupes.

mbtech208

Huh, I'll be damned.

revstriker

I too only have the 2 smart keys on my MY 2002. I smell a cost saving measure!!

jewllzs

I have a 2001 CLK 320. Just recently my key would not turn. I drove myself crazy trying to figure out why.

I didn't know you could only get 8 keys issued before you would have to have the entire EIS/Computer replaced. Estimated cost $4000.00

I found an interesting website http://www.fazmiclaw.com/mbzkey.html

Check this out if you have gotton the maximum replacement keys.

This is a Law Firm investigating ELectronic Smart Keys, once you've reached the replacement limits Mercedes will have to replace your control/computer unit which is expensive.

I hope this helps the fellow who found out the maximum was reached for his Mercedes replacement keys.

BavarianPride

[QUOTE=jewllzs;

I hope this helps the fellow who found out the maximum was reached for his Mercedes replacement keys.[/QUOTE]

If this fellow hasn't been helped yet, he's in trouble. This thread is only
about 5 years old. LOL