2016 C300- Remote Start No Longer Supported?
#1
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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).
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).
#2
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
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).
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).
#3
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.
#4
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2019 C63CS
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
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/3g-network-sunset
#5
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
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
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/3g-network-sunset
"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.
#6
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
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.
#7
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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.
Last edited by superswiss; 09-11-2022 at 06:06 PM.
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#9
PREMIUM SPONSOR
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/
Here's the coverage this vehicle would need.
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...x205-sksng205/
#10
Super Member
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/
Here's the coverage this vehicle would need.
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...x205-sksng205/
i just worry some amateur going to fried the Mercedes board (need to iron a wire to the board)
#11
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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.
#12
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
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
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post8436163
mid city engineering also posted instructions themselves: https://midcityengineering.dozuki.co...17+2018+GLC/35
#13
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2015 C300 4Matic Sport
It's weird that MB didn't anticipate 3G going away and making the comm module easily swappable.
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
Did they just expect everyone to just buy a new Benz?
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
Last edited by benzdude; 09-15-2022 at 03:14 PM.
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netboy (09-16-2022)
#14
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2015 C300 4Matic Sport
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/
Here's the coverage this vehicle would need.
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...x205-sksng205/
![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
EDIT: Yes.
Last edited by benzdude; 09-15-2022 at 03:14 PM.
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netboy (09-16-2022)
#17
Super Member
i just wanna remote unlock/lock the car.
still need to soldering the Mercedes board?
#18
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With that, you can upgrade your factory alarm in the process, and add Drone Mobile to lock/unlock anywhere through their app.
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benzdude (09-16-2022)
#19
Super Member
please give me the product link and installation manual, (just to see how easy to install).
i order it right now.
#20
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