My car ignition won’t start my car no more . I tried to take it to a shop and they said take it to the dealership cause the programming is special . I’m wondering if taking it to the dealership is my only option. The key to my car works , locks , unlocks and etc . The problem is when I insert it , it won’t register and won’t start . I’m losing hope . Can they really charge me 2,000 for something like this?
If you are handy you can do it’s yourself.
you will need a emulator and someone To program it for you. There are lots of people in eBay doing it but You will have to mail your key’s and your broken module to them. If you use expedited shipping it’ll only take a few day’s and they usually charge 200-300$ too give you the emulator and program it for you.
Search eis and esl in the forums you will see it’s a common problem
If you are handy you can do it’s yourself.
you will need a emulator and someone To program it for you. There are lots of people in eBay doing it but You will have to mail your key’s and your broken module to them. If you use expedited shipping it’ll only take a few day’s and they usually charge 200-300$ too give you the emulator and program it for you.
Search eis and esl in the forums you will see it’s a common problem
do I have to replace the whole thing? As in buy a new EIS ? Or do I still use my original ? Also I’m not as handy as I thought . I tried and not so lucky myself . Yea I heard this is a common problem , so there must be ways to fix this. The dealership is charging me 2,000. I think that’s BS but this is my first car so I don’t want it to fail on me .
do I have to replace the whole thing? As in buy a new EIS ? Or do I still use my original ? Also I’m not as handy as I thought . I tried and not so lucky myself . Yea I heard this is a common problem , so there must be ways to fix this. The dealership is charging me 2,000. I think that’s BS but this is my first car so I don’t want it to fail on me .
You would have to send your eis and keys to someone that’s selling emulator services on ebay. They will give you a programmed emulator to replace your eis module and you should never have this problem again
if you can’t diy, look for a Indy shop that specializes in Mb vehicles, it will be much cheaper.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gkbrans
My car ignition won’t start my car no more . I tried to take it to a shop and they said take it to the dealership cause the programming is special . I’m wondering if taking it to the dealership is my only option. The key to my car works , locks , unlocks and etc . The problem is when I insert it , it won’t register and won’t start . I’m losing hope . Can they really charge me 2,000 for something like this?
Search the other forums such as W211, W164, X164 etc. All MBs of this vintage had the same problem as they all use the same part. There are plenty of 3rd party providers who can fix this for a fraction of what you've been quoted. Youtube will show you how.
The programming is not all that special. As mentioned previously, an Indy shop that knows MB cars will have the equipment. You really need to get the car to one to find out exactly which module has failed. The DTC seems to indicate the ESL. The ESL is a fairly straightforward repair. A new one or an emulator will need to be matched to you VIN. If you do need an EIS, the biggest problem is going to be parts availability. New ones can take a long time to get. Getting a used one will mean the shop will need to be able to erase it and then match it to you VIN. That’s an extra step. Pre-erased (aka “virginized”) ones can usually be found online. The Baltimore area should have a number of shops specializing in MB and German cars. Just be sure to talk with them about your problem before sending your car there.
In the topic of ESL replacement is there anyone in the fortunes that does the programming for a emulator? I would feel more comfortable sending mine too someone that has been proven to be trustworthy.
Please give names or links if possible.
If I do send it to a “Indy shop” that specializes in MB . Do they also program it ? I’m thinking about doing it since I don’t know any shops. I don’t want to mess it up since I know there are some fragile parts . Also if I were to give my ESL and key so some person on “eBay” my car wouldn’t be safe . I don’t have a garage and it’s parked on the street . I don’t really want to do that. I want to take it to a shop but can’t find any that don’t want to rip me off
If I do send it to a “Indy shop” that specializes in MB . Do they also program it ? I’m thinking about doing it since I don’t know any shops. I don’t want to mess it up since I know there are some fragile parts . Also if I were to give my ESL and key so some person on “eBay” my car wouldn’t be safe . I don’t have a garage and it’s parked on the street . I don’t really want to do that. I want to take it to a shop but can’t find any that don’t want to rip me off
Well then there is always BenzNinja. They offer buying the equipment and programming services for all MB products for life.
They also offer rental services where they twenty you there hardware and help you program what you need with Thier software.
If I do send it to a “Indy shop” that specializes in MB . Do they also program it ? I’m thinking about doing it since I don’t know any shops. I don’t want to mess it up since I know there are some fragile parts . Also if I were to give my ESL and key so some person on “eBay” my car wouldn’t be safe . I don’t have a garage and it’s parked on the street . I don’t really want to do that. I want to take it to a shop but can’t find any that don’t want to rip me off
I am not sure indy shops would program the emulator. The car key shops might do it since they can make a key fob.
It’s safe if you manually lock all doors because the battery is disconnected <- this is a must-do. Also, you send the EIS not ESL and a key.
My car ignition won’t start my car no more . I tried to take it to a shop and they said take it to the dealership cause the programming is special . I’m wondering if taking it to the dealership is my only option. The key to my car works , locks , unlocks and etc . The problem is when I insert it , it won’t register and won’t start . I’m losing hope . Can they really charge me 2,000 for something like this?
pull your EIS open it. If the white six pin connector is detached...resolder it. Took me longer to pull it then it did to fix it. Cost= your time and a soldering iron and flux and solder. Not $2k. Google eis cold solder joint.
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