Can a Key Fob wear out over time?
#1
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Forgive my ignorance, but I am at a loss here. I have a 2013 C-250 Sport Sedan. I bought it in 2015. Fast forward to 3 months ago...I am driving for about 30min and all of a sudden my anti-theft kicks in and everything starts to slowly shut down. I pulled over and was able to find a fix from another forum, which was to get out of the car, lock and re-lock 3 times....it worked! I still had the check engine light on all the way home, but a light bulb in my head went on and I remembered I had not replaced the key fob battery in about 5 years....I did that and like magic, the check engine light gone. No issues for 3 months!....but yesterday, I again was driving for about 30min, got off the freeway, waiting at the light and it all happened again.
I got up this morning, everything is fine. So my question is....these key fob's "talk" to the car when you put them in the ignition right? Could this issue be a "short" or something in the key fob itself?
I am trying not to take it to the dealer yet, because of course nothing will happen when they have it and I will pay money for nothing....
I look forward to any advice.
thanks!
I got up this morning, everything is fine. So my question is....these key fob's "talk" to the car when you put them in the ignition right? Could this issue be a "short" or something in the key fob itself?
I am trying not to take it to the dealer yet, because of course nothing will happen when they have it and I will pay money for nothing....
I look forward to any advice.
thanks!
#5
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2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Don’t know where you got your fob battery from, but I went through a period where I was receiving counterfeit batteries that died in a month (from Amazon). I ended up going to the local drugstore to make sure I was getting real ones, and that was a year ago - so far so good.
Also there’s a thicker version of the same diameter size, I forget if it’s 2025 or 2032, but the thicker one both lasts longer and seems to fit better in the fob.
Also there’s a thicker version of the same diameter size, I forget if it’s 2025 or 2032, but the thicker one both lasts longer and seems to fit better in the fob.
#6
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Thread Starter
Maybe you are right? I bought my new ones at Target and like I said earlier, the check engine light went away as soon as I popped it in. But yesterday, the check engine light did not come on yet, it was only the anti-theft kicking in....I can only think that the Fob and Car had a moment they were not "speaking" to each other and that set it off? Not sure...
The battery I got was 2025...so are you saying the 2032 is the same but thicker? You could be right if the battery is too thin and not making a solid connection all the time.
The battery I got was 2025...so are you saying the 2032 is the same but thicker? You could be right if the battery is too thin and not making a solid connection all the time.
#7
2032's are thicker and what I use.
It's abit of a tight fit, but it works well.
It's abit of a tight fit, but it works well.
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#8
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Those small batteries are really hit and miss. Some last for years others for weeks. I have had a package of 4 one lasted a month one 3 years and the latest one has been ~5 months now
#9
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
I get the MB packaged batteries (2025s) from the dealer and they have all been good for a year or more. We replace them every year at the annual service.
#10
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#11
Don’t know where you got your fob battery from, but I went through a period where I was receiving counterfeit batteries that died in a month (from Amazon). I ended up going to the local drugstore to make sure I was getting real ones, and that was a year ago - so far so good.
Also there’s a thicker version of the same diameter size, I forget if it’s 2025 or 2032, but the thicker one both lasts longer and seems to fit better in the fob.
Also there’s a thicker version of the same diameter size, I forget if it’s 2025 or 2032, but the thicker one both lasts longer and seems to fit better in the fob.
#13
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Feedback appreciated, but I don't think there's any way that key fob problems could create (or eliminate) a check engine light. They're completely separate systems. For lots of one-time issues, the CEL will go away after the engine has completed a certain number of start/run cycles without further problems.
#14
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2013 W204 C63 AMG P31 Estate wagon
Just for reference on the battery size "2025 or 2032".
The first 2 numbers are the diameter in mm, eg 20 = 20mm
The second number is the thickness 1/10th mm sizing.
So 25 = 2.5mm and 32 = 3.2mm thick.
One of my fobs had 2 x 2016 batteries in it when I purchased my wagon.
The first 2 numbers are the diameter in mm, eg 20 = 20mm
The second number is the thickness 1/10th mm sizing.
So 25 = 2.5mm and 32 = 3.2mm thick.
One of my fobs had 2 x 2016 batteries in it when I purchased my wagon.
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