smartadze

Hi all
I appear to have lost the only working key I have for my 03 CL500. NOT Keyless-Go

I had a "spare" key, but it does nothing at all. Replaced batteries and still nothing at all - although the little red light on the fob sometimes lights up.

Q: Is there any way to tell if this spare key actually matches my car?
Q: IF it is the right one - can it be repaired?

Q: Must I go to the stealer to replace the key? Must I tow the car there?

Thank you. Any info appreciated.

ItalianJoe1

Q1- yes, with SDS, if the key is actually functional. If the key is dead there's no real way. Metal keys don't work the locks?
Q2 - no
Q3 - yes. yes.

Mikeki7

You don't have to tow your car to the dealership. Bring ample proof of ownership with your vin number and they will order a new key for you... Should be around 300-400 bux and since you are not keyless go you will get the new chrome key. They can also disable your lost key so that it wont work on the car anymore.

renault12ts

When you say it does nothing at all, do you mean it will neither start the car nor open/close the locks?

smartadze

Nada - nothing at all. Has no included metal key either. I'm thinking that the dealer just tossed in an orphan key - for looks - when they sold the used car.

ItalianJoe1

Mikeki is correct, you don't actually have to have the car at the dealer to order a key, with your registration and ID they can order you a key with the correct TRP part documents.

tusabes

thats assuming your car had the original theft relevant parts . If your car ever had its shifter/ignition switch/ecu replaced with one from a donor car in the past , ordering a new key using your vin number will not work

ItalianJoe1

Yeah if you swapped everything yourself. The odds of that are pretty light though, most cars have original parts or were dealer serviced for TRP stuff, and if those parts get changed at the dealer it's documented.

An SDS can see the EIS and the VIN stored in it, if there's a doubt, even with no key present.

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

guys, when you break a key you don NOT need to buy a new key !
Just go on ebay, order a used same key
get a locksmith solder the 1 chip containing your vin and code from your old key to the new second hand key
and it works
no programming required !

raymond g-

without having first determined the root cause of the inoperative key, you
can't presume that a single chip replacement will solve the problem. what also
matters is which Smartkey you're referring to and hoping to repair. not all
Smartkeys can undergo a chip transplant. in this case, since the OP's key is
lost, where would you suggest that a functioning chip be attained?

smartdoze: i would recommend that you post a photo of your key first. in
addition, when you post a description of the symptoms, be clear what it is you
are doing...and the result (or not). so with the available key, when you press
a FOB button, be sure to indicate if any sights or sounds result. do same when
you insert the available Smartkey into the ignition. what motions were you
able to make and how the car responded (again, sounds, lights, motions)

incidentals: dbl check to ensure that your car battery is healthy and at full
charge (over 12v). post static voltage if able

MBUSA has a stringent TRP policy and many dealers will insist that the car be
towed to their location (which I believe is profit driven). there is a clause in
the TRP policy which identifies dealer option to send a certified locksmith or
MB employee to the car's location. natch, they'll prefer that you spend your
money (or insurance) to have the car towed to the dealership. I don't know
how such a policy is applied by dealers outside of the US

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

my comment was ONLY for the case that the key was dead and you have a before working key of course
all OEM smartkeys for W215 can undergo chip transplant to the same used key and some other key models too

MacVidMB-V8

As you have proven, the keys may be smart, but only having one of them is not. Always have 2 keys, you can never know when a Valet is going to drop yours in a puddle or a cup of coffee or in parking lot, etc.

As noted above, completely check that 2nd key.

There are 2-3 semi-separate systems in the key. At a basic level, functioning in the ignition switch is done via power supplied by car. So if power is missing in key, it should still start car.

As far as the unlock/lock goes, there is an IR part and a RF part. Aiming at the driver's door handle from 5-10 ft away uses IR, while at a distance you use RF.

So if all 3 aspects don't work but lights are flashing on key, good chance it isn't key for that car.

If you don't have a real key for the car, lube up and head to the stealership for a double reaming. Get 2 keys, or you'll end up back in this same spot.