MBC300Owner

Hello,
I am posting on behalf of my mom who owns a 2016 C300. She just called me super frustrated as she has gone to a nearby dealer, the service center , and a MB certified repair shop to try to fix her remote starter. This is oddly the #1 thing she wants in a car (we live in southern NJ without a garage) . She bought this car because it came with MB supported remote starting for which she uses the MB app on her phone. (Sorry I wish I knew more details but am hoping knowledgeable people would know about this since it was standard MB tech). Anyways about a few months ago, the remote starter stopped working (and to be honest, its happened before and then something gets reconfigured and its fine). She went to the MB service center and got a bit of a run around to first replace batter ($500), then change some part for the starter ($800) and after all this, its still not working. She got sent back to the dealership because she was told they know more about it and the person at the dealership informed her that the 2016 models and their starters are no longer supported and wont work anymore. He didnt give her any more information about what happened and why (let alone why they had her do 2 services for $1300).

Does any of this make sense to someone here? Is there some news in the MB world about this and its a known issue? I searched the forums and saw posts about the 3G support going away and also the lawsuits, but I could not understand it honestly to know if this is what is causing her remote starter to stop working. Hopefully someone can shed some information. Happy to provide more if it would help -- like the specific app name / photos of her key, etc. I am not sure if we keep pressing the dealership and they are being scummy or if its actually something that MB has done (and in which case, pretty poo customer management).

W205C43PFL

Hmmm, if she is using mbrace to remote start her vehicle then yes that does impact its service.

MBC300Owner

Okay - so the 3G thing did impact the mbrace services including the starter and its likely that the 2016 models will no longer be able to use 3G. They probably just were looking to make a buck offering up fixes for the starter then.

superswiss

Yes, mBrace for 2016 and older models is effectively being discontinued due to the 3G sunset. All these cars are losing or have already lost their connectivity that is required for things like remote start. Although the C Class shutdown is scheduled for December 1 2022 so at the moment it should still be working. Not worth putting any money or effort in it though for the remaining 3 months.

https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/3g-network-sunset

W205C43PFL

OP, I noticed something in the FAQ of which superswiss linked us, I am not sure if this was there before but:

"Are there any alternative solutions once my services are no longer available?

After the sundown of 3G network, the telematics communication module in your vehicle will become obsolete; however, we have teamed up with Verizon, our mbrace partner, to offer an OBD Dongle as an alternative solution. It’s a device called “Hum” and it plugs into your vehicles OBD diagnostic port to offer similar services as mbrace."

check it out: https://www.verizon.com/solutions-and-services/hum/

Hmmm, so similar to what is offered in Europe.

W205C43PFL

Wait nevermind from what I read so far, Hum is really just in car wifi and a few other limited options. I hope I am wrong.

superswiss

Yeah these OBD dongles are fairly limited partly for security reasons. You can't start the engine via OBD port for example otherwise every thieve could, so HUM doesn't offer remote start. Same for remote locking and unlocking.

Cosworth2000

Sucks... but this is way everything is moving to 5G

midcityeng

Our remote starter coverage is a significant upgrade from the factory offering, and can be used with your existing factory vehicle key fob, and can also be used via Drone Mobile smartphone app.
Here's the coverage this vehicle would need.

https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...x205-sksng205/

netboy

would be nice if you have some authorized or recommend dealers that know how to install it.
i just worry some amateur going to fried the Mercedes board (need to iron a wire to the board)

midcityeng

We have a dealer / installer locator app on our website.
https://www.midcityengineering.com/d...ealer-locater/

However, we can also make the EIS modifications in-house if they're shipped to us. That way, the rest of the install can be done a bit more worry-free, should you not be located near one of existing installation partner shops. In the event that you need to go with a more local installation option, we make our starter kits in such a way where we streamline the connectivity process as much as possible -- we realize that it might not be a master-level installer putting these in every time.

W205C43PFL

OP, if you do want to tackle this project yourself, I did find this thread of which they posted images of the installation of mid city engineering's system, although there are many steps, it doesn't seem like it is that difficult it is only time consuming.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post8436163
mid city engineering also posted instructions themselves: https://midcityengineering.dozuki.co...17+2018+GLC/35

benzdude

My guess is the HUM thingy would only be used to provide an internet connection to the MB electronics.

It's weird that MB didn't anticipate 3G going away and making the comm module easily swappable.

Did they just expect everyone to just buy a new Benz?

benzdude

Does this still require soldering circuit boards and hiding of a key inside the car?

EDIT: Yes.

benzdude

MB should just update the software to connect to any available WiFi hotspot. That way we can use just use any portable WiFi device.

midcityeng

It does, however, we can make the modification for you if you ship us the EIS, that way you can ensure that very important step is done correctly.

netboy

i don't really care about remote start.
i just wanna remote unlock/lock the car.
still need to soldering the Mercedes board?

midcityeng

If all you want to do is remote lock/unlock, then just get one of our CAN interfaces for alarm instead.
With that, you can upgrade your factory alarm in the process, and add Drone Mobile to lock/unlock anywhere through their app.

netboy

yeah. that' all i needed.
please give me the product link and installation manual, (just to see how easy to install).
i order it right now.

midcityeng

Moving this conversation to PM as we're now not on topic any longer for this thread. Check your inbox shortly.