2009 Merc C300 - new key programming...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 52
Likes: 4
From: Southern Tier, NY
2013 C300 4Matic Sport / 2003 SLK32 AMG
2009 Merc C300 - new key programming...
Greetings folks! Hoping you can assist me in helping a pal of mine with new key programming.
Dude has a 2009 Merc C300. Went to the dealership to buy a new key. He comes home and you guessed it, car doesn't start; key won't turn. Does nothing. He mentioned that it would not unlock the wheel as well. I am guessing some type of programming is needed and was curious if anyone here could assist in a suggestion for this year and make of car. This generation of Merc is still new to me so I can learn something as well in the process. :-)
Thank you all. Much appreciated!
Lance
Dude has a 2009 Merc C300. Went to the dealership to buy a new key. He comes home and you guessed it, car doesn't start; key won't turn. Does nothing. He mentioned that it would not unlock the wheel as well. I am guessing some type of programming is needed and was curious if anyone here could assist in a suggestion for this year and make of car. This generation of Merc is still new to me so I can learn something as well in the process. :-)
Thank you all. Much appreciated!
Lance
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 285
From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
If you ordered key from dealer..... NO programming is needed. One of the most common failures of the W204 chassis is the electronic steering lock. Pretty much you put the key in the ignition and it turns to different positions but it does not respond. To properly verify failure, you need to scan the vehicle with Xentry. You will find a code in EIS that says something like "mechanical failure of steering lock". You will need to install a new ESL or you can also find someone that can do an emulator. With an emulator, the actual ESL needs to be removed from the steering column and it will no longer lock the steering wheel.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 31
Likes: 16
2009 C550 4-Matic, 06 W164 M113K SWAP, 03 W163 M113K SWAP.
Strange. The Smart keys on the 204's should always turn in the ignition. Regardless if the key belongs to the vehicle.
There is no mechanical device preventing you from doing that, like on the older C's, E's, or S's or W221, etc...
If you suspect the ESL not unlocking and it's authorized, Bang really hard on top of the steering wheel with the meaty part of your fist. Do that exactly 1 second after inserting the key in the ignition.
There is no mechanical device preventing you from doing that, like on the older C's, E's, or S's or W221, etc...
If you suspect the ESL not unlocking and it's authorized, Bang really hard on top of the steering wheel with the meaty part of your fist. Do that exactly 1 second after inserting the key in the ignition.
Last edited by Kompressor_5.5; Jan 3, 2021 at 08:55 PM.
