Car not starting - key fob battery?
#1
Car not starting - key fob battery?
So long story short, I approach the car, the keyless go works - for doors. As I unlock and sit inside, I press the ENGINE start/stop button on dash - nothing. All electronics dead. So I take out the button and insert the key-fob and volla!! It starts!!
I drive some 10 miles or so, in rush hour traffic, with the key-fob in. Stop at a store for couple mins - come out and decide to try the keyless go. Insert the button and press it- Now it works...
Drive home in keyless-go mode. Park the car in garage.
This morning at 4:30 AM,
Doors open fine, but the just like yesterday, the car doesn't start - no light on dash - just like the day before. So I took the button out and try with the key-fob. Nothing. I figured maybe the key-fob battery is low, so go inside and grab the never-used spare key-fob. Nothing.
I am thinking its the key-fob battery. Any thoughts?
I drive some 10 miles or so, in rush hour traffic, with the key-fob in. Stop at a store for couple mins - come out and decide to try the keyless go. Insert the button and press it- Now it works...
Drive home in keyless-go mode. Park the car in garage.
This morning at 4:30 AM,
Doors open fine, but the just like yesterday, the car doesn't start - no light on dash - just like the day before. So I took the button out and try with the key-fob. Nothing. I figured maybe the key-fob battery is low, so go inside and grab the never-used spare key-fob. Nothing.
I am thinking its the key-fob battery. Any thoughts?
#2
unfortunately, seems something like this:
If the OP has the same issue that I had then it is not something that you can remedy yourself. You know you have a problem at the second ignition stop before you turn it far enough to start the car. None of the indicator lights light up, the steering wheel remains locked and the transmission will not leave park. And of course turning the key further does nothing. Just as the op experienced, the Roadside Rep told me dozens of cars (all models) have had this problem just in the area that he services. What makes it really challenging is getting it onto a flatbed when the car is parked in a busy parking lot with the steering locked. The transmission can be manually moved to neutral by a yellow lever that is under the shifter bonnet so you dont have to winch it up with the wheels locked.
#3
i had same problem 6 weeks ago local MB dealer said problem was what in the old days we called ignition barrel but now is electronic new part has to b coded by MB in another state over $2000 & 4 days covered by warranty i hope this it not your problem.
#4
I really really hope its not the steering part. I have other stuff I need to take car of. Not spending **** loads of time on taking the car down to dealer/
#6
The car being a 2011 is under regular warranty. I am not worried about the cost - I am more worried about the downtime. One of the reasons, why I was hoping that it's just a key-fob battery.
I am working with my dealer to drop off a loaner at my place and have this towed to their dealership.
Time is the main issue here.
I am working with my dealer to drop off a loaner at my place and have this towed to their dealership.
Time is the main issue here.
#7
i hope they look after you my dealer did lent me a demo c class with only 6000 Km. even though i did not buy my car off them great service they also said a common problem how many miles have u done.
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#8
#11
even if the battery is completely dead in the remote, the car should still start if you're putting the key in the ignition. the key uses a laser to start the car and would start even if you had no battery at all in the key fob.
#12
Most likely car battery. Gonna rush back home in lunch time and attempt to jump-start it. Lets see. fingers crossed. Otherwise MB tow service.
#13
That means my car battery might go out soon too.
#14
#15
its the steering lock not the eis (what yall are calling the ignition barrel). If it was the battery why would the car lock and unlock perfect then do nothing and then randomly start up no problems. Its still vin coded so youll have at minimum 2 days down time. 2k$? lol. its more like 7-800$ parts and labor.
#16
its the steering lock not the eis (what yall are calling the ignition barrel). If it was the battery why would the car lock and unlock perfect then do nothing and then randomly start up no problems. Its still vin coded so youll have at minimum 2 days down time. 2k$? lol. its more like 7-800$ parts and labor.
#20
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 227
Likes: 17
From: Planet Earth
2011 C63 P31 2015 BMW X5M Schwarz Einhorn w/Bootmod3
Did you get a message on the dash alerting you the battery needed replacing? Mine did that, replaced the key battery and no message since...
#21
UPDATE:
Car was towed.
Car started at the dealership. Every single time. every day.
MB US involved - clueless.
MB Germany involved - solution posted below:
Here's the solution :
Apparently the static generated by the key-fob and my trousers (lol) disabled the kyfob. So MB Germany updated some sort of software and put this sleeve on and gave me back the car.
Car was towed.
Car started at the dealership. Every single time. every day.
MB US involved - clueless.
MB Germany involved - solution posted below:
Here's the solution :
Apparently the static generated by the key-fob and my trousers (lol) disabled the kyfob. So MB Germany updated some sort of software and put this sleeve on and gave me back the car.
Last edited by USCGTO; 08-26-2013 at 11:12 AM.
#23
Sorry to bump an old thread, but my Keyless Go is completely unresponsive. Nor will the car turn on--or have any lights turn on--when I pull the starter button out and attempt to start the car that way. It's just a massive brick at the moment. I have to manually lock the doors as well. Does anyone know of a solution?
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ghh923 (01-09-2018)
#25
Thanks Mort. I went by MB to get a spare key--which I've needed to do anyway--and had them throw a new battery in the fob. No dice. Going to move to the car battery next. Is it always the case that a low battery message will display when the battery is low, or have folks seen their batteries just up and go the way of the dinosaur?