Michael Garrett

i ,, ive just bought a stolen and recovered 2003 clk 500 ,, its been stripped of all its front panels and has no key ,, I also have another 2003 clk 500 complete and the same color which can never be registered due to water damage (still starts and drives no problem ),, now what i want to know is what parts do i need to swap to get the one with no keys to start ,, key parts and modules ?

Plutoe

You are p-----ing in the wind and it will be more expensive to try to do it your way! Take your new title and drivers license and go to any dealer for the correct key.


First you need a DAS diagnostic set and experience then you need to confirm via EPC whether the donor ECU, TCU, steering lock and ignition module are compatible and if one is not you are foooooooooked!

ItalianJoe1

Start with the EIS, the M/E, possibly the shifter assembly. I'd have to look up the complete diagram but it's not a ton of components.

Yidney

I have to say that this would probably not pass my "life is to short" test. Keys are not cheap, but doing all that work just to hope you succeed? Nah, I'd just buy a key.

Rudeney

I also answered this over on benzworld...

Swap the ECU, EIS (ignition switch), ESL (steering column lock), and the instrument cluster. You actually only need the ECU, EIS and ESL for the keys, but the odometer reading is stored in both the EIS and cluster, so those need to go together.

Michael Garrett

Cool ,, i think ill try this approach and see what happens ,,im no stranger to pulling mercs apart as i buy damaged ones and wreck them out but have never needed to get one going this way ,, ive done it on gm cars where i swap out the ecu ,,,, bcm and key pad and steering lock ,, so ill give it a go ,,

Rudeney

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.