ESL
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
Meredes C230
ESL
I have a question and I need answers quickly please!!
I had the same thing that a lot of my other W204 drivers have had:: my ESL won’t unlock. I sent the ignition switch and key out to California and had an emulator made. Unfortunately I live in a small town and I don’t have anyone that can service it. So, I had my car towed to the MB dealership and they want to charge me $1,032 to remove the ESL and 1,906 to replace the ESL, but I already have the emulator. What would you guys do??
I had the same thing that a lot of my other W204 drivers have had:: my ESL won’t unlock. I sent the ignition switch and key out to California and had an emulator made. Unfortunately I live in a small town and I don’t have anyone that can service it. So, I had my car towed to the MB dealership and they want to charge me $1,032 to remove the ESL and 1,906 to replace the ESL, but I already have the emulator. What would you guys do??
Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 90
Likes: 22
2015 C250 Coupe M271.860
Hmm. I’m guessing the ESL died in locked position. I’ve heard with some combination of making sure you have a fully charged battery and literally giving the steering column a good whack you can free the lock upon ignition startup. Then you can swap in the emulator much more easily than pulling out the whole steering column.
I guess another idea if you cant DIY anything is have your car towed to a shop or locksmith that can do the work. Or find a mobile mechanic and convince them to travel where you are, maybe pad there fee for the travel
Just throwing out ideas. I live a big metro again so I would always have access to nearby shops.
I guess another idea if you cant DIY anything is have your car towed to a shop or locksmith that can do the work. Or find a mobile mechanic and convince them to travel where you are, maybe pad there fee for the travel
Just throwing out ideas. I live a big metro again so I would always have access to nearby shops.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
Meredes C230
Hmm. I’m guessing the ESL died in locked position. I’ve heard with some combination of making sure you have a fully charged battery and literally giving the steering column a good whack you can free the lock upon ignition startup. Then you can swap in the emulator much more easily than pulling out the whole steering column.
I guess another idea if you cant DIY anything is have your car towed to a shop or locksmith that can do the work. Or find a mobile mechanic and convince them to travel where you are, maybe pad there fee for the travel
Just throwing out ideas. I live a big metro again so I would always have access to nearby shops.
I guess another idea if you cant DIY anything is have your car towed to a shop or locksmith that can do the work. Or find a mobile mechanic and convince them to travel where you are, maybe pad there fee for the travel
Just throwing out ideas. I live a big metro again so I would always have access to nearby shops.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
Meredes C230
Yea, thanks though! The car is at the Mercedes Benz dealership. I guess what I’m really looking for is thoughts as to whether I should have them take out the ESL, pay the $1,023 and then the put the emulator in, or whether I should go ahead and pay the $1,900 something to just have them replace the ESL. The car is an 08 C350, and has 122,000 miles on it. I think I should just do the emulator but I wanted to get you guys thoughts on it first. Thanks and keep posting!!
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 229
Likes: 31
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
As WestonMerc said, try to give ESL a good whack, hopefully it would unlock before it completely dies and then drive home doing an emulator swap. This reminds me of the starter on my Isuzu Amigo, have someone crank while I tap on the starter 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
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Meredes C230
I would if I had known before having it towed to the Mercedes Benz dealership. O well, thanks anyway!!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Since you’re not looking for an adventure (removing a locked ESL is very time consuming and difficult) my suggestion is to have the dealer remove the ESL. But will they also install the emulator? I’m not sure that the dealer would do that because that’s an antitheft device.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ts-pics-2.html
Scroll to the video. In real time that is more than 1 hour’s work.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ts-pics-2.html
Scroll to the video. In real time that is more than 1 hour’s work.
Last edited by Odd Piggy; Mar 13, 2025 at 06:45 PM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
Meredes C230
Since you’re not looking for an adventure (removing a locked ESL is very time consuming and difficult) my suggestion is to have the dealer remove the ESL. But will they also install the emulator? I’m not sure that the dealer would do that because that’s an antitheft device.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ts-pics-2.html
Scroll to the video. In real time that is more than 1 hour’s work.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ts-pics-2.html
Scroll to the video. In real time that is more than 1 hour’s work.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
Meredes C230
I just said I wish I knew about this site earlier, because I would’ve tried that. Thanks though!! 🙂
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Thanks a lot!! I just got off the phone with the Service Advisor at MB dealership and I advised them to go ahead and remove the ESL completely. Now, do you think I would have a problem from the dealership with installing the emulator since it has to be a Mercedes Benz part or should I just go ahead and call a tow truck when I get there? The emulator is only one cord. Thanks again!
Super Member
Joined: May 2024
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From: Northern Indiana
2014 c300 w204.080 3.5 v6
If they won't install your emulator then just do that part yourself.
There is nothing to installing the emulator as all you really have to do is plug it in then shove it somewhere under the dash. It does not need to go back into the spot where the ESL came from since it don't do anything except make up limits to say you're steering is unlocked.
Piece of cake. And then you could drive it home.
There is nothing to installing the emulator as all you really have to do is plug it in then shove it somewhere under the dash. It does not need to go back into the spot where the ESL came from since it don't do anything except make up limits to say you're steering is unlocked.
Piece of cake. And then you could drive it home.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 686
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
If they won't install your emulator then just do that part yourself.
There is nothing to installing the emulator as all you really have to do is plug it in then shove it somewhere under the dash. It does not need to go back into the spot where the ESL came from since it don't do anything except make up limits to say you're steering is unlocked.
Piece of cake. And then you could drive it home.
There is nothing to installing the emulator as all you really have to do is plug it in then shove it somewhere under the dash. It does not need to go back into the spot where the ESL came from since it don't do anything except make up limits to say you're steering is unlocked.
Piece of cake. And then you could drive it home.
Don’t know the details of the work order, however, if “remove the ESL” doesn’t include “reinstall the steering column” that’s not going to work.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
Meredes C230
Great news!!! I finally got my ESL out at the Mercedes Benz dealership and I put the emulator in. Car started right up. They wanted to charge me over 1,900.00 to replace the ESL, but I said nah, I have the emulator so I just had them remove the ESL. It was plug and play with a cord, and my car started, and I couldn’t be happier. $1,020.00 is all I had to pay. If I knew someone in my area it would have been cheaper, but I live in a small town. Thanks to all who responded!!
