Ok, so everyone here with a key that does not have the chrome star has at one point wondered if it is possible to swap key housings to get one that has the chrome star on the top.
Here's the difference

Black Key


Chrome Key


No one has yet had the guts to go disecting their key because they're so expensive if you break one. What gave me the constitution for such surgery? Well, it was my dorm room door....

On the way out, missed a speech, was really pissed and managed to slam the door (keys in hand) hard enough to catch the keys between the door and the doorjam hard enough to literally snap it in half.

Once i calmed down, i figured i would take it apart.
It turns out that it is quite easy to switch out the housings between the two. All you need is
1) old black key
2) new key with chrome star
3) tweezers

Step 1) use metal key to depress button underneath the release switch for the metal key (next to the panic button). This is the same step as step 1 for replacing the key's batteries


Step 2) This is what the inside looks like. The circuitboard is held in by the little white bar shown here.


Step 3) Use the tweezers to remove the white bar by pulling straight back.


Step 4) The circuitboard will lift straight out once you have removed the white backstop.


Step 5) The circuit board. If you look closely you'll see where the door took off one of the microchips and broke the wiring going to the front sensor.



* Repeat steps 1-5 for the chrome key*

Step 6) Reassembly: You need to twist the wires on the backstop to get it to go in and hold correctly


Step 7) Reassembly (cont): use tweezers to reinsert the white backstop (put the tweezers in the same spot shown above in the removal.


Its not all that bad. I havent bought the chrome key yet, but they can be had on ebay for about $25-30.

Very nice writeup. One of my keys is half hosed so I may just get one off ebay and replace it.

Nice! I'll remember that. only problem is I don't have a dorm room door anymore. Can I use a coconut or ball peen hammer instead?

Kick A$$! Nice work. I have a key you can have if you need it. And they say idel minds are a bad thing. LOL pm me with an address.

Co 55 AMG: PM Sent!

TK: The key doesnt have to be broken for the above steps to work. The front plastic red lense will stay in place (it is not connected to the sensor).

Great write-up as usual!! Post this in the DIY sticky when you get the chance.

neat idea!

dayam good write up....i have the chrome star...but one of the keys got the red clear tip cracked off....so off to ebay i go!

Got a key on ebay today, will do both this write up and the ipod install write up this weekend.

Do you have the nav system installed if so where did you get the IPOD kit? I need to do this instead of buying a CD changer.

Thanks!!

No nav system. I bought it at enfigcarstereo.com it was $70 and pretty easy to install.

just did the key swap after the red clear part of my key was cracked...got one off of ebay for 25 bucks and did the swap in 5 minutes...thanks for the write up....tooo bad the key i got from ebay was a lil chiped, but not too noticeable.

Hi has anyone found a suitable replacement case for the key shown in the photos ?
This (Series 1) style electronic remote appears to be used in cars from 1998 - 2001 (C208 models). It is longer than the ones normally sold on e-bay (2002-2007, Series 2, C209 models).
I don't think its possible to retrofit the earlier model into the newer keys.
There are many example of the later key cases on e-bay, but I can't find a (new) replacement shell for the older model.

If you just want to change the outer case, four button for a four button, yes. Here's a write up I did way back when.




Cases are still available on Amazon for less than $10. I've bought them, swapped the internals, and used them. They work great

So you cant swap an older style (2002 CLK) black key internals into the chrome key internals? I always thought the chip inside was too wide at the bottom to slip into the newer housing.

Marcus, what happens when I order a new key from Benz? Do they send me a new updated chrome key? Or the standard black key? I need another key...one of mine is MIA...and I hate the feeling of only having one.

KRis

.
I'm sorry, but I am still a little confused.

I am not sure how the electronics for a series 1 remote (1998-2001) shown below, will fit in the newer 2002+ cases.
I have a 2000 CLK-320 (a208/w208 class).

I have seen many cases for the 2002-2007 models, and again for the mostly chrome 2007+ cases, but can't find a IYZ3302 compatible case (I have found a few 2nd hand IYZ-3302 keys and remotes, but no new ones).

This style of key/remote is slightly different from those shown in your signal to noise website
The key tag on mine loops outwards & LED is in the centre of the remote (the case shape and buttons are also symmetrical rather than offset)
The big difference is that the circuit board for the electronics is larger. The Key itself is also longer and a different shape to the key/remotes of later models (2002 +).

Can anyone please assist, thanks ?




. Series 1 Key Exploded view of parts (of a good one)
.

@Kris - I've never ordered a key from a dealer, so I don't know what the new key will look like. I've heard about people getting a chrome shell, but not having seen the shape of the key (no pictures in the threads I read), I don't know if the new keys are new generation keys that are coded for early cars.




I can tell you this, I have keys for a 2002 Benz and keys for a 2009 Benz. No way will my 2002 key internals fit in the 2009 shell/case. Like you said, the circuit board won't fit. I thought long and hard about it when ordering the replacement cases for the 2002 because the new ones look so much better.

@Blue320 CAB. I have a 2002 CLK. My key looks like the two on the far left of my last post (front and back of the key). Are you saying your key looks different than that?

Hi MarcusF,

I have updated my last post with a picture of a key like mine (mine is not so good, hence looking to replace).

My 2000 CLK-320 (a208/w208 class) series 1 key/remote (1998-2001) is different to the later models you have provided in your photos.

So I really want to know if anyone has found a supplier of new cases for these older key/remotes.

My key 2003 CLK430 bought from an independent Mercedes shop

i can confirm that this is an easy swap... when i bought my clk the dealer had only one key and the buttons were broken (the plastic)... he had a box of other random keys for other mercedes that he no longer had.... long story short he gave me another key and said if i could make it work more power to me... i had the guts swapped in 5 minutes, no probs

Hi demon.bloom1 / ALL,

I am glad that your local dealer had some spare keys lying around for you to swap you old remote into.

This does not however provide a solution to my (and I suspect numerous others) issue around finding a replacement key case for these older style remotes.

Given that this original article was about the older style (Series 1 - 1998-2001) remotes.
Can anyone please assist as to where I (and I suspect numerous others) might be able to source a new case for these older key/remotes.
.

Try Ebay...all the different key style housings are one there.

KRis

W208 or W209...I'm suspecting 209.

Hi etownbala / ALL,

I have looked on E-Bay (Australia & across the world), on Amazon, and across the internet, hence this post.

If you (or anyone else) can supply specific details of an example you have found for these older style (Series 1 - 1998-2001 - a208/w208 class) remotes, it would be appreciated.

This post is about the older style (Series 1 - 1998-2001 - a208/w208 class) remotes.

There are hundreds of examples of the later model 2002+ (details below) for sale on e-bay/amazon/etc.
However, I am yet to find one, for remotes relating to my (and I suspect numerous others) key/remote (Series 1 - 1998-2001 - a208/w208 class).

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
First generation (1998–2001; C208/A208)
Second generation (2002–2009; C209/A209)
Third generation (2010–present; C207/A207)

Can anyone please assist as to where I (and I suspect numerous others) might be able to source a new case for these older key/remotes.
.

.
key/remote for Series 1 - 1998-2001 - a208/w208 class Mercedes CLK Class cars
.