Key will not turn in ignition
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1999 C43
Key will not turn in ignition
I have had my W202 1999 C43 Mercedes for less than 2 months, and it has not been a smooth transition from my 2005 C230, which was flawless from 112K miles to 165K.
The first problem I discovered was after driving for and hour, and the engine stated to lose power and finally stalled on the side of the interstate. Let it sit for 20 minutes, and it started and ran no problem. Couple weeks later same thing happened, except that after an hour broken down on the interstate, still crank and no start, so I had it towed to the house. By the time it got to the house, it fires right up of course. I assume this problem is a crank position sensor, but I am not sure, because the previous owner said he replaced it a few month back for the same thing. For good measure, I went ahead and replaced it again.
So a few days after that incident, I walked out to my car, and hit the unlock button, door unlocked no problem. Inserted key, and no mechanical sound of the lock cylinder release, or the steering column lock release. At this point, the remote would not lock or unlock the doors. Hmmmmmm…. So I replaced the batteries in the remote…. still would not lock unlock doors, and the key would still not turn. After trying everything I read on the internet, including putting the key in the ignition for 2 hours, pointing remote at overhead console receiver….etc.
After tinkering around with this for a couple of days, putting the key in would release the steering column, but not the lock cylinder. This part was really crazy, and I figured it was possibly the IES module, or the electromagnet inside the EIS module. So I completely disassembled the module, and glued the key turning lock out mechanism out of the way so the key would turn. Installed back in car, and could hear the steering column unlock when I inserted the key, so I turned the key, fuel pump turned on….turned to start, and no starter. Damn.
So next I decided that my next cheapest option was to replace the key, as I only had one anyway. Well, it was the key. Strange symptoms along the way, and I really thought it was going to be an EIS module for $1200. I am not sure what the association between the door locks and the steering column and the key not turning, but I figured I would share the experience so maybe someone else could save some time.
The first problem I discovered was after driving for and hour, and the engine stated to lose power and finally stalled on the side of the interstate. Let it sit for 20 minutes, and it started and ran no problem. Couple weeks later same thing happened, except that after an hour broken down on the interstate, still crank and no start, so I had it towed to the house. By the time it got to the house, it fires right up of course. I assume this problem is a crank position sensor, but I am not sure, because the previous owner said he replaced it a few month back for the same thing. For good measure, I went ahead and replaced it again.
So a few days after that incident, I walked out to my car, and hit the unlock button, door unlocked no problem. Inserted key, and no mechanical sound of the lock cylinder release, or the steering column lock release. At this point, the remote would not lock or unlock the doors. Hmmmmmm…. So I replaced the batteries in the remote…. still would not lock unlock doors, and the key would still not turn. After trying everything I read on the internet, including putting the key in the ignition for 2 hours, pointing remote at overhead console receiver….etc.
After tinkering around with this for a couple of days, putting the key in would release the steering column, but not the lock cylinder. This part was really crazy, and I figured it was possibly the IES module, or the electromagnet inside the EIS module. So I completely disassembled the module, and glued the key turning lock out mechanism out of the way so the key would turn. Installed back in car, and could hear the steering column unlock when I inserted the key, so I turned the key, fuel pump turned on….turned to start, and no starter. Damn.
So next I decided that my next cheapest option was to replace the key, as I only had one anyway. Well, it was the key. Strange symptoms along the way, and I really thought it was going to be an EIS module for $1200. I am not sure what the association between the door locks and the steering column and the key not turning, but I figured I would share the experience so maybe someone else could save some time.
