E350 Cabriolet Stuck…Bad Key or EIS, ESL?
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Joined: Mar 2025
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2013 E350 Convertible, 1982 380SL
E350 Cabriolet Stuck…Bad Key or EIS, ESL?
Hi everybody,
My 2013 E350 Cabriolet has been fine for 130k+ miles now won’t start. What is going on here?
I open the door and the odometer screen comes on, but no red/yellow lights on the cluster. When I turn the key, the key will move to different key positions, but won’t crank. I can move the wheel a little.
Recharged the battery. Put a new starter relay and checked all the fuses. Keyless Go onoy works if I click a smartkey button to give it some extra communication. It also always thinks it needs a new key battery despite a new battery there.
What could it be?
My 2013 E350 Cabriolet has been fine for 130k+ miles now won’t start. What is going on here?
I open the door and the odometer screen comes on, but no red/yellow lights on the cluster. When I turn the key, the key will move to different key positions, but won’t crank. I can move the wheel a little.
Recharged the battery. Put a new starter relay and checked all the fuses. Keyless Go onoy works if I click a smartkey button to give it some extra communication. It also always thinks it needs a new key battery despite a new battery there.
What could it be?
Last edited by richsgarage; Mar 17, 2025 at 01:20 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 485
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From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
This is just a longshot brainstorm suggestion (ie total guess lol)…is it possible your car isn’t recognizing the brake pedal being depressed?
I feel like I recall a few folks having to replace a switch to enable ignition…or is not even making it to the ‘key in second position’ status?
Able to pull any codes?
I feel like I recall a few folks having to replace a switch to enable ignition…or is not even making it to the ‘key in second position’ status?
Able to pull any codes?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2025
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2013 E350 Convertible, 1982 380SL
Thanks for the leads! I’ll stick the girlfriend’s battery in there tomorrow and see if it fires up.
Very interesting about the brake pedal, it could be that. OBD scanner isn’t communicating with the car so no codes available but the key does move to all positions. There are very quiet clicking noises at position 1, and then total silence from other positions
Very interesting about the brake pedal, it could be that. OBD scanner isn’t communicating with the car so no codes available but the key does move to all positions. There are very quiet clicking noises at position 1, and then total silence from other positions
Last edited by richsgarage; Mar 17, 2025 at 09:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2025
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2013 E350 Convertible, 1982 380SL
I wondered about that too, if it could be a bad aux battery. I went looking for it back there but found only a cavity and a fusebox when I pulled the trunk liner up, to the right of where the spare wheel goes. Am I looking in the right place?
My one year old wasn’t feeling so well today so battery swap postponed to tomorrow
My one year old wasn’t feeling so well today so battery swap postponed to tomorrow
Last edited by richsgarage; Mar 18, 2025 at 08:44 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 485
Likes: 153
From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
In my e550 coupe I think it’s in the sidewall compartment in trunk, rather than the spare tire well (where my e63s sedan aux batt is)…
there are some models that have a smaller aux batt in the front dash somewhere. I don’t have any experience with those.
I can take a pic of mine in morning, although it may differ for coupe vs cabrio given pump/motor space needs for cab top
there are some models that have a smaller aux batt in the front dash somewhere. I don’t have any experience with those.
I can take a pic of mine in morning, although it may differ for coupe vs cabrio given pump/motor space needs for cab top
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 532
Likes: 182
From: Atlanta GA
2012 E350 Cabriolet now SOLD to my son
2012 E350 has aux battery inside the drivers side dash accessible from the panel you see when you open the door. It is kinda buried in there but doable. 2013 may be the same..Some symptoms before it dies are : lane assist not operable..Distronic cruise not operable..etc.
IIRC its is a standard 12v battery ...you should be able to find it very inexpensive at Batteries Plus ? Take it out and match it up. Prolly MB wants $100 or more for it...!
IIRC its is a standard 12v battery ...you should be able to find it very inexpensive at Batteries Plus ? Take it out and match it up. Prolly MB wants $100 or more for it...!
Last edited by WRC-LVR; Mar 19, 2025 at 09:41 AM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2025
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2013 E350 Convertible, 1982 380SL
Thanks for all the info much appreciated. My brother in law is a Euro mechanic and was in town - plugged a Launch scanner in that did connect - but no codes! He determined the board in the Electronic Steering Lock is fried and so the dealership will have to replace it and rekey it. Won’t be a pretty bill but I can’t wait to get the 207 back on the road. Thanks y’all
Last edited by richsgarage; Mar 23, 2025 at 01:00 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 9
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2010 E350 Coupe
Thanks for all the info much appreciated. My brother in law is a Euro mechanic and was in town - plugged a Launch scanner in that did connect - but no codes! He determined the board in the Electronic Steering Lock is fried and so the dealership will have to replace it and rekey it. Won’t be a pretty bill but I can’t wait to get the 207 back on the road. Thanks y’all
