Take your key from ignition(ESL was changed)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 59
Likes: 9
From: Canada
Mercedes-Benz W204, C250, year 2011, Canada.
Take your key from ignition(ESL was changed)
Hi,
I keep getting this annoying message on my dashboard: "Take your key from ignition."
After reading a bunch of threads, I figured it might be the ESL lock motor. But the thing is, the dealer already replaced the ESL lock at 43K miles (I’m at 52K now).
Any idea what else it could be?
I keep getting this annoying message on my dashboard: "Take your key from ignition."
After reading a bunch of threads, I figured it might be the ESL lock motor. But the thing is, the dealer already replaced the ESL lock at 43K miles (I’m at 52K now).
Any idea what else it could be?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 59
Likes: 9
From: Canada
Mercedes-Benz W204, C250, year 2011, Canada.
Another strange thing I noticed is that if I insert the key while sitting in the passenger seat, the message doesn’t show up at all.
Last edited by --mb--; Jan 7, 2025 at 03:28 PM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 31
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
It’s normal, a reminder that’s all. Put the key in from the passenger’s side, the sensor cannot detect someone sitting behind the steering wheel, so there’s no reminder.
Last edited by Demvang; Jan 7, 2025 at 08:12 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 462
Likes: 152
From: Panama City, FL
2020 C300, 2013 C250, 2000 Boxster S
When I insert the key, the message appears. But as soon as I turn the key to start the engine, it goes away and never shows up until I insert it back again.
Another strange thing I noticed is that if I insert the key while sitting in the passenger seat, the message doesn’t show up at all.
Another strange thing I noticed is that if I insert the key while sitting in the passenger seat, the message doesn’t show up at all.
If the message is popping up randomly, the culprit could be an intermittent driver's seat sensor or the sensor that the key is in the ignition.
Last edited by alynch; Jan 7, 2025 at 08:11 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2023
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From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
I have never seen that message pop up on mine. But im not familiar with Canadian models, I know there are some differences from reading the operators manual, it will state something like "Canada models only". Look in your operators manual. Mine says to just remove the key.
id say there was something wrong if the car wouldnt start. But if there is nothing wrong its probably normal.
id say there was something wrong if the car wouldnt start. But if there is nothing wrong its probably normal.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 59
Likes: 9
From: Canada
Mercedes-Benz W204, C250, year 2011, Canada.
Normal operation. The vehicle senses when the engine is off, the key is in the ignition, and someone is sitting in the driver's seat. The message is displayed to remove the key from the ignition (as it expects you to exit the vehicle). The message is not displayed when you are sitting in the passenger seat since this is not the driver's seat.
If the message is popping up randomly, the culprit could be an intermittent driver's seat sensor or the sensor that the key is in the ignition.
If the message is popping up randomly, the culprit could be an intermittent driver's seat sensor or the sensor that the key is in the ignition.
I have never seen that message pop up on mine. But im not familiar with Canadian models, I know there are some differences from reading the operators manual, it will state something like "Canada models only". Look in your operators manual. Mine says to just remove the key.
id say there was something wrong if the car wouldnt start. But if there is nothing wrong its probably normal.
id say there was something wrong if the car wouldnt start. But if there is nothing wrong its probably normal.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 59
Likes: 9
From: Canada
Mercedes-Benz W204, C250, year 2011, Canada.
Huge thanks to everyone! I think the system is working as it should.
Super Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 506
Likes: 124
From: Northern Indiana
2014 c300 w204.080 3.5 v6
Wow, that’s exactly it! I just realized that I was doing all these tests with the door open. And that also explains why the message doesn’t appear when I’m sitting in the passenger seat—because at that moment, the driver’s side door is closed.
Huge thanks to everyone! I think the system is working as it should.
Huge thanks to everyone! I think the system is working as it should.
