vlad957

Several days ago my car started acting funny on me. I got to work got out of the car and couldn't lock the doors. I said thats odd. So I went back into the car and put the key back into the ignition, then took the key out and the doors locked. After work I went back into the car to start it. When I inserted the key the car would't unlock the ignition so I can engage the key to position 3. It took me several times and then it started. Couple hours later the car was fine it was working fine. I went home then the next morning when I went to start the car it wouldn't start. I tried moving the steering wheel and the brake no go. I even changed the batteries in the key it still wouldn't work. The key wont even unlock or lock my doors. I had the battery changed recently too. I checked all fuses in the trunk and under the hood they were all fine. I read online people say it could be the key or the Eis system going bad???? Theres also an Bes pump that controls the locks on the doors. I called Mb and they told me a new key is $170 bucks and the Eis system is $580. Has anyone ever had a problem like this before?????????? THIS IS A GOOD CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM MY CAR.

nd4spd13

It's either the key or something to do with the ignition, or key recognition or whatever the EIS is (haven't heard of it myself.) The ignition uses IR with the key, and the key does not even need to have a battery in it for the ignition to recognize it and to start the car. I'd take it somewhere good and get it sorted out.

harv99

It's the key, I had the same issue with my 00 c230 and after going through the fuses, changing the battery in the key, checking the EIS I just tried my backup key and it started without any issue. The fob is over 10 yrs old so it has some miles on it.

svt ricco

this happened to me a couple of days ago, turned out to be a loose connection on the battery. i just tightened it up, problem never came back.

JohnnyRock

vlad, sounds like you have a problem with your key. If it's the oem key that would be a safe bet. nd4spd is correct, the remote key does not even have a battery in it to start the car. Do you have a valet key? The thin, black plastic key? If that works for doors/ignition, it's a good bet it's your main remote key.

BTW, your price of $170 for a new key from the dealer is great. I paid a little over $200 just a couple months ago. Should take 1-2 days to get the key after ordering.

99C43n843

most likely the key is the issue. if you have a spare remote try that first. if it works then its definitely the key. if not then it could be the EIS (electronic ignition switch) had another w202 in my shop a few months ago for an eis and the part was back ordered from germany and took 6 months to get in. and I work for the dealer. hopefully they restocked. but the will not go bad with age or time contrary to what people think, if there's been no outside interference like water etc. the key remote will actually go bad after its programmed number of allowed starts. its like 150,000 times. something crazy like that. so if its the original remote from 98 and up then the chances are the key is dead.




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DRBC43AMG

Interesting detail about the 150'000 programmed number of allowed starts. Never thought that kind of fact would make your key "self destruct" or commit suicide, but I guess keys also have a life and must die one day

503C43 ////AMG

Just experienced this exact same scenario. Went out to my car in the morning and unlocked the door and started the car with no issues. Drove to my destination about 15 minutes away, got out of my car and couldn't lock the doors. I thought it was odd but left. I came back about 3 hours later and still couldn't get the doors to lock or unlock using the key fob. I tried to start the car but couldn't get the key to turn. Thinking it was the batteries I walked to a store close by and bought new batteries, still couldn't get the doors to lock/unlock or the key to turn in the ignition. I sat there for about 10 minutes turning the key back and forth until finally it turned and started the car.

I don't want to drop $250 on a new key to find out it isn't the problem, how can I determine if the key is the culprit?

benzslo

There is no way to tell if it is the key or the eis. First step in diagnosis of these complaints is to try a second known-good key.

This is the reason why every car I buy, I buy a new key right away, it usually alleviates these problems all together.

By the way, the batteries are only for locking and unlocking. They will not affect the EIS operation and starting of the car. You could remove the batteries and the car will still start just fine.

When we get a car in shop like this, first step is to get their second key. If they don't have one, they need to buy one. Anything else is just a waste of time and money.

503C43 ////AMG

I only have 1 key unfortunately, sounds like I need to buy another one regardless

Sulaco

99.999999999% chance it's just the key.

My key was doing things just like this the day before it died forever. It did things similar to this when my 2nd key died as well. Only fix is a new key at dealer.

mb techman

.

503C43 ////AMG

Just pre paid for my new key. I went to the new dealership down the street from me and I got LUCKY. The guy behind the parts counter was an old friends younger bother, he hooked me up with a nice little discount and wound up paying $184 vs the list price of $271

The key will be here Wednesday, fingers crossed this solves the problem and it's not the EIS

503C43 ////AMG

UPDATE:

Just got my new key and everything works as it should

Not only do I get the updated key which looks MUCH better but it also came with a new blade key

Sulaco

This same thing happened to my car recently.

While at the body shop

While on top of the frame-pulling machine the shop needed to work on other cars.

Car was stuck. 3400lbs of dead weight that brought the business to a halt. Talk about panic time.