Old Key won't turn ignition :-( but the duplicate key can
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 71
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From: "Pearl Of The Orient"
CLK 230 KOMPRESSOR
Old Key won't turn ignition :-( but the duplicate key can
I've been searching every MB forum regarding IR transponders on FOB keys failing and it seems that there is no solid conclusion whether they could be repaired or re-programmed. Do you guys have any experience with this? Considering our CLK's are the older versions (mine is a 98 w208), will the dealers sell new reprogrammed keys? And how much is a new key from the dealers anyway?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
From threads discussing this questionover the years...the answer is no to reprogramming etc. The dealerships will sell you a new key for big bucks. There was someone in europe that was selling less expensive ones but raised his prices when he realized he could make almost as much as the dealers. Don't buy one off ebay, they will not be reprogrammed. The dealers charge around $300
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 89
From: Hollywood, CA
W209, W124
I've been searching every MB forum regarding IR transponders on FOB keys failing and it seems that there is no solid conclusion whether they could be repaired or re-programmed. Do you guys have any experience with this? Considering our CLK's are the older versions (mine is a 98 w208), will the dealers sell new reprogrammed keys? And how much is a new key from the dealers anyway?
But I found a threa from a guy in Portugal who took the "brain" chip from his dead/older Smart Key and put it inside a 2007 Chrome SMartKey and it worked.
I recently aquired a '05 W209 and one of the keys was pretty beat up.
Since I actually have a fair amount of experience with surface mount soldering I gave it a shot.
And it worked perfectly !!! I went from beat up black key to shiny new Chrome one for $50. Would be an even better deal if your key was dead since there would be no loss, only a gain.
If you are good at this sort of thing, you literally have nothing to lose but cost of a used key, and the possibility to save $250 whilst NOT using up another key slot.
A guy named drknight offers the service on Ebay & and in Marketplace section on some of these MB forums (no affiliation) and I am offering to do it for free for a couple people here in Los Angeles just for the experience.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
I've been searching every MB forum regarding IR transponders on FOB keys failing and it seems that there is no solid conclusion whether they could be repaired or re-programmed. Do you guys have any experience with this? Considering our CLK's are the older versions (mine is a 98 w208), will the dealers sell new reprogrammed keys? And how much is a new key from the dealers anyway?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 89
From: Hollywood, CA
W209, W124
DON'T THROW AWAY DEAD KEYS !!!
Most of the circuitry on these keys is generic. It is only the chip that I removed that contains the info specific to your car.
So while there is no simple way to "reprogram" a used key with the info from your dead/dying/beat up key,moving this chip over accomplishes the EXACT same thing as reprogramming.
You just need another key with same chip to transplant your chip onto. Most cities should have local electronic repair places that can do this. BTW, I have noticed that the chip has a part number that starts with "5678" and that this has held true with both NEC and Motorola chips. I would avoid the newer CHrome ones with the triangular "Panic" button as those seem to use different chips. The CHrome ones with a circular panic button are OK.
I am looking for people with dead keys in LA who would like to contribute to the knowledge base. You stand to gain a new key from the deal.
So while there is no simple way to "reprogram" a used key with the info from your dead/dying/beat up key,moving this chip over accomplishes the EXACT same thing as reprogramming.
You just need another key with same chip to transplant your chip onto. Most cities should have local electronic repair places that can do this. BTW, I have noticed that the chip has a part number that starts with "5678" and that this has held true with both NEC and Motorola chips. I would avoid the newer CHrome ones with the triangular "Panic" button as those seem to use different chips. The CHrome ones with a circular panic button are OK.
I am looking for people with dead keys in LA who would like to contribute to the knowledge base. You stand to gain a new key from the deal.
