Keys No longer working?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
Keys No longer working?
For the past year I would have to use my Keys at a Very Close Range(key next to door) in order to lock or unlock. That was one headache but I soon got over it. Now, Whenever I go to get into my car, I can't even unlock it. If it sits for more than an hour, I find my self sitting outside pressing the unlock button hundreds of times before it unlocks. Also, sometimes the key isn't recognized in the ignition or it's very weak and not responding the way the key Should respond.
All Batteries on Both Keys have been changed.
Fuse has been checked.
No clue as to what or why it's doing this. This is the only issue I'm having as of now and I want it cleared!
Please, respond if you have had similar problems and how you went about correcting this.
ALi
All Batteries on Both Keys have been changed.
Fuse has been checked.
No clue as to what or why it's doing this. This is the only issue I'm having as of now and I want it cleared!
Please, respond if you have had similar problems and how you went about correcting this.
ALi
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
Yea but what does the Antenna have to do with the Infrared part? I have always been aware of the Signal Strength issues but this is different. I can't even get the car to recognize the Key is aiming at the door, sometimes even in the ignition. I have tried it with both keys before and after new batteries.
But once I get the car to unlock once, it's all fine and dandee, starts up every time if I keep playing with it. But that's IF I can get in and not leave the car for more than a few hours.
ALi
But once I get the car to unlock once, it's all fine and dandee, starts up every time if I keep playing with it. But that's IF I can get in and not leave the car for more than a few hours.
ALi
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
yes in both keys.
ALi
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From: United Kingdom
CL500
Is it the same for both doors? Might be a failing unit in the door. Alternatively it may be the key itself. Have you tried your spare? Is it the same with the Keyless Go key?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
-Both Doors are non-responsive
-Both Keys tested, no difference in reactions
-Once the key is recognize, it will continue to do so until the next period of rest.
ALi
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From: United Kingdom
CL500
We're back to signal strength then. Not sure how the RF and IR interact but I did experience the same as you when I took the aerial out to replace it with one for my TV. Until I put the new one in the keys worked, or rather didn't work, exactly as you have described.
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From: United Kingdom
CL500
The aerial, or antenna, above the rear window, as well as providing FM/AM reception (and TV signal if you have the correct one), also provides RF reception for the key. This, not IR, is what enables you to open and lock the car from a distance.
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From: United Kingdom
CL500
I don't think your IR is messed up. When I replaced my antenna to enable TV reception I first removed the old one, then went inside to get some tools. Being a cautious type I went to lock the car and discovered it would not lock from a distance. So I placed the key right up to the IR receiver in the door handle and, after a few attempts, it locked the car.
Unlocking was the same but, once I had replaced the aerial with the new one, remote locking and unlocking worked again. I think the IR is reliant on the RF signal to boost it sufficiently for the IR to work at any distance.
Unlocking was the same but, once I had replaced the aerial with the new one, remote locking and unlocking worked again. I think the IR is reliant on the RF signal to boost it sufficiently for the IR to work at any distance.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
I don't think your IR is messed up. When I replaced my antenna to enable TV reception I first removed the old one, then went inside to get some tools. Being a cautious type I went to lock the car and discovered it would not lock from a distance. So I placed the key right up to the IR receiver in the door handle and, after a few attempts, it locked the car.
Unlocking was the same but, once I had replaced the aerial with the new one, remote locking and unlocking worked again. I think the IR is reliant on the RF signal to boost it sufficiently for the IR to work at any distance.
Unlocking was the same but, once I had replaced the aerial with the new one, remote locking and unlocking worked again. I think the IR is reliant on the RF signal to boost it sufficiently for the IR to work at any distance.
Hoping this really is it, sounds simple enough to just try, but I bet the part is a rape in price lol.
ALi
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From: United Kingdom
CL500
The aerial is some £150. It is worth checking the connections first, just to make sure it's not a loose connection.
Agree the key in ignition problem may point to other issues, I didn't try to start my car when the aerial was out of the car.
Agree the key in ignition problem may point to other issues, I didn't try to start my car when the aerial was out of the car.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
I know bro I know. But I'm looking to buy a new home already and I will need to clear out some bills lol.
ALi
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
Well my first guess would be the key, but you said both keys have this issue so I would lean towards the EIS both costly repairs an EIS will run you around 500 and 200 for the key plus whatever your dealer charges for the install.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
This sounds like something my Warranty can cover. They told me that Keys and "Alarm system" related issues are not covered but wouldn't this be ignition related as well?
ALi
ALi
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,311
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
GOD this sucks. I want to at least be able to drive my car to the dealer or at least on the flat bed when it comes. I can't start the car and it wont raise up unless I do so. WTF!!!!!!111
ALi
ALi
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
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From: Northern Va
E350
Key issue
From reading your situation, sounds like the remote keys are defective. they fail quite often we use to replcae those remotes at the dealership all the time. one way to check is bang it a few times. customers would complain there keys wouldnt unlock/lock but when i would get the car it worked everytime, so i would tap the remotes and they would start to fail, tap them again and they would start to work. goodluck
