Smartkey in ignition; no start woes
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 303
Likes: 25
Smartkey in ignition; no start woes
Well, it happened twice this evening.
- Shut car off, to go do something for 5, 10 minutes
- Put Smartkey back in ignition, and NO SOLENOID SOUND
- Jiggle, jiggle, jiggle, tap tap, swear, swear
- Call MB Roadside assistance, and while on phone with them, solenoid unlocks.
- Cancel my roadside assistance visit
- Drove home
- Tried to start car immediately after switching it off, same as before NO SOLENOID SOUND.
- Jiggle, jiggle, jiggle, (unlocks once) but then doesn't again
- Jiggle jiggle jiggle - nothing.
- Call MB Roadside assistance, and this time they make two suggestions:
- Leave the key in the ignition for awhile to allow the key to "synchronize"
and
- Try cleaning the end of the key with a soft cloth
Well, I cleaned the end of the key, and the thing worked immediately. I inserted the key several more times, and it worked each time. I waited 5, 10 minutes and it worked again.
Does the key communicate over IR with the ignition lock? I don't think my key was very dirty at all, so I'm not sure if this is a freak occasion, or if I'm going to be stuck with the problem again tomorrow AM....
- Shut car off, to go do something for 5, 10 minutes
- Put Smartkey back in ignition, and NO SOLENOID SOUND
- Jiggle, jiggle, jiggle, tap tap, swear, swear
- Call MB Roadside assistance, and while on phone with them, solenoid unlocks.
- Cancel my roadside assistance visit
- Drove home
- Tried to start car immediately after switching it off, same as before NO SOLENOID SOUND.
- Jiggle, jiggle, jiggle, (unlocks once) but then doesn't again
- Jiggle jiggle jiggle - nothing.
- Call MB Roadside assistance, and this time they make two suggestions:
- Leave the key in the ignition for awhile to allow the key to "synchronize"
and
- Try cleaning the end of the key with a soft cloth
Well, I cleaned the end of the key, and the thing worked immediately. I inserted the key several more times, and it worked each time. I waited 5, 10 minutes and it worked again.
Does the key communicate over IR with the ignition lock? I don't think my key was very dirty at all, so I'm not sure if this is a freak occasion, or if I'm going to be stuck with the problem again tomorrow AM....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
You probably have a bad key. The ignition switch powers up the key, which then sends a signal back. Then the Electronic Steering Lock releases, which is the "solenoid" you hear. It's not actually a solenoid, but rather a threaded shaft that locks the steering column. The noise is the shaft screwing in or out rapidly. Key failures are the most common cause for the problems you are having.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
Do you have anything else on your keychain? I have also read/heard of stories of people who have other infrared devices (like a Mobil Speedpass) on the same keychain with the smartkey...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Originally posted by darkLCD
Just to cover all bases, how old are the batteries in your smartkey? Have you tried putting fresh batteries in them?
Just to cover all bases, how old are the batteries in your smartkey? Have you tried putting fresh batteries in them?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 303
Likes: 25
Just to provide closure on this topic, the repair at the dealer involved:
Replace:
Electronic Ignition Lock (EIS)
Qty:1 210-545-03-08 SWITCH
Qty:1 208-766-19-06-9999 ELETRONIC K (that's all it says)
Along with assoicated labour charges for installation, initial diagnosis, testing, and control module version coding.
Fortunately everything had a "N/C" next to it, because of the Starmark Warranty.
1999 E300, 53K miles
Replace:
Electronic Ignition Lock (EIS)
Qty:1 210-545-03-08 SWITCH
Qty:1 208-766-19-06-9999 ELETRONIC K (that's all it says)
Along with assoicated labour charges for installation, initial diagnosis, testing, and control module version coding.
Fortunately everything had a "N/C" next to it, because of the Starmark Warranty.
1999 E300, 53K miles
