New guy to the group...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
New guy to the group...
Greetings y'all,
I'm new to the group. I just purchased a new CLK 430 and of course, the next thing one does when one buys a new car is look around for a solid user group! This is my first Mercedes and I have to say, I'm just thrilled with it...so comfortable and nice to drive (my last car was an '84 Carrera; fun car but a little too spartan on the creature comfort front.).
Some problems have arised though so I thought I'd mail out and see if this is common or just a fluke with my car. Since purchasing it, I've had a couple of instances where I'll get in and try to start her up but my smart key doesn't allow me to. It will unlock the wheel but not allow me to turn the engine over. Yesterday, this happened twice while on a long road trip...not a fun way to end a wonderful ride up the coast!
Anyone else had this problem with their CLK smartkey?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
best,
marc
I'm new to the group. I just purchased a new CLK 430 and of course, the next thing one does when one buys a new car is look around for a solid user group! This is my first Mercedes and I have to say, I'm just thrilled with it...so comfortable and nice to drive (my last car was an '84 Carrera; fun car but a little too spartan on the creature comfort front.).
Some problems have arised though so I thought I'd mail out and see if this is common or just a fluke with my car. Since purchasing it, I've had a couple of instances where I'll get in and try to start her up but my smart key doesn't allow me to. It will unlock the wheel but not allow me to turn the engine over. Yesterday, this happened twice while on a long road trip...not a fun way to end a wonderful ride up the coast!
Anyone else had this problem with their CLK smartkey?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
best,
marc
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Welcome to the forum!
Had smartkey problems a couple of times during the first couple of hundred times. Withdrew the key and re-inserted and car started up. One time I had to wiggle the steering wheel.
Talked to my service advisor. He said if problem continues, bring car in and they'll do a resistance test.
Well, after the first initial problems it never re-appeared. The last 4,000 miles were trouble free.
PS:
I had to go in to adjust moonroof. It squeeked.
Is yours noise-free? It seems to be a common problem.
Had smartkey problems a couple of times during the first couple of hundred times. Withdrew the key and re-inserted and car started up. One time I had to wiggle the steering wheel.
Talked to my service advisor. He said if problem continues, bring car in and they'll do a resistance test.
Well, after the first initial problems it never re-appeared. The last 4,000 miles were trouble free.
PS:
I had to go in to adjust moonroof. It squeeked.
Is yours noise-free? It seems to be a common problem.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
Hello Karl,
Thanks for the reply! My service advisor said the same thing. I hope it doesn't resurface, especially if I'm miles away from anyone like I was yesterday. (and as you may know, you can't activate a service call unless your key in engaged!)
Funny you ask about the sunroof. Mine was fine until I brought it in for my delivery detailing (which I posponed because I was so eager to get the car) and now it's squeaking. It's on the list of things to get fixed.
marc
Thanks for the reply! My service advisor said the same thing. I hope it doesn't resurface, especially if I'm miles away from anyone like I was yesterday. (and as you may know, you can't activate a service call unless your key in engaged!)
Funny you ask about the sunroof. Mine was fine until I brought it in for my delivery detailing (which I posponed because I was so eager to get the car) and now it's squeaking. It's on the list of things to get fixed.
marc
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Bay area
'01 CLK 55
I also had a problem with the not so smart key. At an inopportune
moment, the car wouldn't unlock the vehicle. It was going on intermittently for about an hour.....Then mysteriously "cured" itself when I started the car.
I was told by the service department that the key would on ocassion suffer a bout of "ADD" and would need to be plugged into the ignition to reprogram itself. I haven't had a problem since; proverbial fingers crossed. Congrats on the new toy, Marc.
Coincidentally, I also owned a Porsche of your era, an '85. Drove the crap out of that car for 80,000 miles and it never missed a beat. They don't build 'em like that anymore.
moment, the car wouldn't unlock the vehicle. It was going on intermittently for about an hour.....Then mysteriously "cured" itself when I started the car.
I was told by the service department that the key would on ocassion suffer a bout of "ADD" and would need to be plugged into the ignition to reprogram itself. I haven't had a problem since; proverbial fingers crossed. Congrats on the new toy, Marc.
Coincidentally, I also owned a Porsche of your era, an '85. Drove the crap out of that car for 80,000 miles and it never missed a beat. They don't build 'em like that anymore.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 127
Likes: 3
From: Northern NY
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
Welcome to the group - lots of good info here.
I had a key issue a couple of weeks ago. Car had to be put on a flatbed and taken to the dealer for repair. They replaced the EIS and another related part of the ignition switch. Quite alarming as the car only had 320 miles on it. It seems OK now, I sure hope it stays that way.
When you removed and re-inserted the key did you hear the electronic switch working or was it silent? The first time I had the key issue, I was able to start the car after multiple re-insertions, the second time it failed I was stranded, lucky for me I was close to home. I suggest having your dealer apply a fix before it becomes disasterous.
That aside, the CLK 430 is a marvelous car. Gorgeous to admire and so very nice to drive.
My sunroof is quiet.
I had a key issue a couple of weeks ago. Car had to be put on a flatbed and taken to the dealer for repair. They replaced the EIS and another related part of the ignition switch. Quite alarming as the car only had 320 miles on it. It seems OK now, I sure hope it stays that way.
When you removed and re-inserted the key did you hear the electronic switch working or was it silent? The first time I had the key issue, I was able to start the car after multiple re-insertions, the second time it failed I was stranded, lucky for me I was close to home. I suggest having your dealer apply a fix before it becomes disasterous.
That aside, the CLK 430 is a marvelous car. Gorgeous to admire and so very nice to drive.
My sunroof is quiet.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 127
Likes: 3
From: Northern NY
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
Yes, it seemed like you experienced a different issue Brian as you couldn't unlock the door. This happened with my spare key after the EIS was replaced, the SM unlocked the door with the key I left with the car, then put the spare in the ignition for a few seconds - it worked fine then.
I was actually responding to Marc and his not being able to start problem which sounded very much like the issue I experienced, that's why I wanted to know if he heard the switch sound.
I was actually responding to Marc and his not being able to start problem which sounded very much like the issue I experienced, that's why I wanted to know if he heard the switch sound.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
Sorry I haven't responded until today...I was out of town and the WWW was not accessable to me. Thanks for all the replies! rp430, yes, I did hear the key click every time I couldn't start the car. In essence, I was able to unlock the wheel but not turn the engine over. I think it's time to take it to the dealership before I'm thumbing it to the local dealership.
On a side note, I've noticed that some of my interior appointments (seat heater buttons, interior door handles, sunroof button) are loose and "tinny". The interior build is certainly not what I remember from my days as a child in my father's mercedes. I guess that's to be expected and there's a trade-off for all of the technology brimming from this car but I would hope that mercedes would release cars that don't have loose switches and door handles. Yes, I'm **** when it comes to car noises and play in switches. I think the dealership service dept. is going to dread my visits!
best,
marc
On a side note, I've noticed that some of my interior appointments (seat heater buttons, interior door handles, sunroof button) are loose and "tinny". The interior build is certainly not what I remember from my days as a child in my father's mercedes. I guess that's to be expected and there's a trade-off for all of the technology brimming from this car but I would hope that mercedes would release cars that don't have loose switches and door handles. Yes, I'm **** when it comes to car noises and play in switches. I think the dealership service dept. is going to dread my visits!
best,
marc
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
and yes, Brian, those 911s are bullet proof! I had placed a lot of mods in mine as well so it was fun to speed around in. I just got tired of the interior!!! A little too spartan for my needs. And the ride, well, it's essentially a german go cart. My former news group would hang me for saying that! I love how my new benz rides. The fact that I can drive over bumbs and not feel it ring up my spine is a welcome feeling!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Bay area
'01 CLK 55
I don't find the switchgear in my car as you discribe, though compared to my dad's Benzes over the years, yes; Sadly this ain't your father's Mercedes Benz. I guess we sacrifice a bit of build quality in return for technical innovation. Dad needed to use maps in his day; I push the "NAV" button. I often wonder what the premium would be factering in the build quality of yeasterday...scary thought.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 127
Likes: 3
From: Northern NY
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
I find the switchgear to be solid, however it does have a sort of plastic sound rather than a muted click as some other cars have. I can live with that though!
The most irritating thing that I find about my car is that I won't take it out in the salt/sand/snow slop that has been on the roads around here the last week.
The most irritating thing that I find about my car is that I won't take it out in the salt/sand/snow slop that has been on the roads around here the last week.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
98 e 320
E320's ignition switch turns fully, car will not start!
New and need your wisdom! My E320 which has 185 k would not start, after 10 or more trys, finally stated up. Same day same problem. Decided to try spare key, cranked up 1st time worked great for three weeks until this AM. Your thoughts before I take any action.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Last edited by Fireball W; Aug 26, 2013 at 03:47 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Please clarify "would not start ". For example:The engine cranks but doesn't start, doesn't crank but the dash lights up, doesn't crank dash doesn't light but the steering wheel unlocks, or nothing lights up no crank and the steering wheel is locked.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Since the other key worked fine, infrared eye of the key may be dirty (inside or outside) or the car side of the contact. Maybe take it apart and clean it, insert new battery.
