badbenzz

I have a C55 and it turns out to use the keyfob, I have to be at the drivers door at all times in order to lock and unlock the door. Is this normal for the C55. All my other MB cars allow me to use the keyfob anywhere near the car and further.

Accidental L8 apex

Sounds like the keyfob battery is really low and about to die as I believe the transponder is in the driver's door. Before I changed mine, I had to have the key almost to the driver's door handle to get it to unlock.

Morphh

Needs new battery

badbenzz

The batteries were replaced

Viper98912

In a parking lot, I can be pretty far away from the car and if there's no interference, it can reach pretty far

badbenzz

My rf receiver must be bad

Rocman8

You need the antenna that's stuck to to upper edge of the rear glass under the headliner. Your am radio reception will probably be out as well.

Bigpapistu

I had a problem similar to this with my key fob. When I purchased my car the key would function properly but not unlock from really far away (unlike you where you have to get up close to the car to unlock/lock it). Then a year later my batteries died, so I replaced them. Same thing. Then my batteries would die every other week. I though I'd have to get a whole new key from the stealer. I ended up buying a used key fob on eBay and switched out the battery holder thingy (picture attached) and my key started working again plus I could lock/unlock from very far now. It was a miracle and problem solved I would try that option if you have the same key fob before purachasing a new key.

Oshkoshbigjosh

Wait, you just bought a fob and replaced the battery holder? No motherboard or dealership involved?

PJmak

yea do tell

Bigpapistu

Yes. The key fobs on eBay come in used condition that were programmed to vehicles at a time.
The battery holder has nothing to do with the mother board. You can pop it out in 2 seconds just search it up on YouTube

PJmak

Are they the same for all keys?

From what I know there are three types of keys for w202s for example.

I have like three bad keys between my two w202s

badbenzz

My car is at the stealership and we will see if they can figure it out but most likely the antenna.

badbenzz

OK the dealer claims its the window tint.....despite the door handle sensor not working

Rocman8

Your first post you said the door handle sensor is working.

badbenzz

The door handle is intermittent

Accidental L8 apex

Window tint? Is it leaded tint and covering the entire car, paint and all?

badbenzz

Just window tint not a wrap. Its the rear window they claim is the issue. I'm going to pull it off and see if that fixes the issue but I am very very doubtful as it is most likely the antenna since it would lock or unlock while inside the car either.

MacVidMB-V8

This is why I'll never get my windows tinted.

When they trim the edges they use an exacto to get a nice clean cut of the plastic film.

Also cuts the wires at edge of the window nicely too.

badbenzz

Actually many tinters use a computer to cut the tint now without razor blades. Decided in lieu of searching for the problem I am just going to install a alarm system with door lock/unlock feature problem solved for much cheaper than hunting down the problem.

Jon@MBPartsFactory.com

Why don't you just try unlocking it from inside the car? That should help determine if it's the tint. You should be able to unlock it by pointing it at the IR receiver on the door handle regardless of the tint. Unless the key or IR receiver is failing as well. You can actually see the IR if you turn on your camera on your cell phone and hold the unlock button and view it from the phone pointing the IR lens at the camera lens.

badbenzz

The remote does not work on the inside of the car and the ir on the door is intermittent. Thus both sensors are shot. Hence an alarm with door locks is better than getting both sensors replaced or at least cheaper with much much greater range.