E-Klasse

It pays to read your owners manual. I stumbled on to the part about the infrared remote (96-97). If your windows and sunroof are open, hold the button on the remote down while aiming it at the receiver when you are locking the doors. The roof and the windows will close automatically. This works with the door key as well when locking the doors. Just hold the key over in the lock position for a second or two. I did not know this for all the time I had my W210 E-Class.

Brozyniak

you should be able to open all your windows and sunroof in the same way - by holding the unlock button down while pointing at the sensor. It works on my passenger door too.

E55 KEV

There is no infrared remote for 96 or 97 models. Started on 1998 models.

E-Klasse

Then I guess my infrared remote that came with my car is just my imagination. The switch blade key is part of an "INFRARED TRANSMITTER" that opens the door locks. The key may have changed in 98 but the remotes are infrared. There is a receiver on the rearview mirror in 96 and then receivers were added to the trunk lid and doors in 97.

E-Klasse

The infrared remote has been around since 94 in some models.

jimmydagreek

Yup, mine looks all worn like that as well. Would like the smart key though...

E-Klasse

You can do this in the door or the trunk lock as well. Turn the key all of the way to the right (called position 1 in the manual) and hold in the locking position. The window and sliding/pop-up roof begin closing after 2 seconds. To interrupt the closing procedure, turn to key back to the middle position (2).

E55 KEV

Maybe I got the infrared 'remote' confused with the infrared smart 'key' for 98+ models. Thanks for clarifying.

jimmydagreek

Next, maybe Steve can figure out if there is anyway possible to upgrade to the "smart key" by rewiring and installing the "smart key" ignition system or something. That would be tight!

E-Klasse

Jimmy,

Can you give me the address or contact information to the person who got you the Carlsson front bumper for 96-99. I have had several dealer say that they could only get the 2000+ ones.

scorchie

Yeah, but the SmartKey is radio frequency... and has infrared as backup or for "extra functions" like closing windows/sunroof.

Their older remotes are more properly called "infrared" because that is their primary mode of operation.

But you were right with the years!

-s-

scorchie

You would need a 1998+ donor car, that you owned. The reason is because the whole locking system is tied to the VIN, and Mercedes will not provide replacement parts unless you have the title (or al least registration) for the car.

Obviously the required parts do not exist for your car's VIN, hence the need for a donor car that you control.

(This is also the case for Keyless Go... if the car didn't come with it, the parts to do it will not be available. I am sure that some enterprising person will find a way around all this someday... but that's what I've run into so far.)

-s-

jimmydagreek

I went directly to Carlsson in Germany. It was kind of a headache so I wouldn't recommend you do that yourself unless you have access to a customs freight broker. IMO you should go through http://www.autowerksdirect.com and order it that way. They have great service and give you info. right away. You will probably have to wait a couple of months for it to get here, though. If you don't have the time and would like to go direct and have it airfreighted, send me a PM and I will give you my contact at Carlsson in Germany...

michakaveli

Anyway of bringing back the condition of these keys without getting a new one from the dealer? Luckily I have two keys and the other is like new, but the one I use the most doesn't work as well, especially with range. The batteries are good becuase I replaced them when I got the car....

jimmydagreek

You mean cleaning them up? Not really. I haven't tried taking one apart yet but I am going to see if I can find a cleaner casing and take it apart and fit my stock key and guts into it. I hope it will work!

michakaveli

That's what I meant.... E-Klasse said that the key falls apart?

jimmydagreek

Well, if they fall apart I don't think I will be pulling mine apart then anytime soon unless I find a used one at the junkyard and experiment with that. I don't know what you could use to bring them back to life as the star on the push button wears out and there is no way of bringing that back.

Now, I am wondering if it would be possible to get the complete locking system including the key from a junkyard? Scorchie, what would it be that I would need and how would I swap out the ignition on the column. Would the column need to be replaced? Thanks for your help...

E-Klasse

The metal key part of the remote gets loose and falls out. I was able to pull the red lense off of the led and take the battery cover off. I can see that they are 2 halves put together around a printed circuit board. I pulled the two halves apart. They are glued together to prevent taking them apart. I wanted to swap the top half with a good button on it with mine. The Mercedes emblem is worn off from use.

scorchie

Are you talking about swapping out for the same year? This is definitely possible, but you would still have the "title/registration" problem. If you ever lose all your keys, you can't get a new one without the title/reg for the donor car. Not many people cut the Mercedes hard keys anymore... you could keep your old hard keys though and use the new IR keys. That would cut down on the number of parts to swap. So to change hard keys, you obviously need to change every lock on the car. The security module is probably the only part that needs changing for the IR, however it may require the EIS as well.

If you want to upgrade to a different year... that would require a lot of work. The hard keys would need to be changed; the IR receivers and door handles would change. Also the RF module would change, as well as the wiring harnesses. Now the real kicker... I think that the new ignition switch only works with the shifter for the 5-speed transmission. And if that's the case, then you have a whole new set of problems.

Again, certainly doable, just so much work!

-s-

jimmydagreek

Wow, it does sound pretty extensive. I don't think it's worth it at the moment. I definately don't have that kind of time to spend on it or patience for that matter. Thanks for all of your input...Jimmy

KennyTheGreat

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E-Klasse

I just tested mine out in the unlock position. After locking the doors, I held the key in the drivers door in the unlock postition and all 4 windows rolled down. Then I locked the doors with the remote and held the button until all of the windows were closed. The sunroof didn't open automatically with the windows but I have had it open and it will close at the same time the windows do.

aglasgow

mine only seems to work with the close function and not the open. I checked my owner's manual and while it does indicate that the windows will close with the remote, it doesn't say anything about opening them. I have a 97 E420 sport. For those that posted about being able to open the windows with the remote, what years are your vehicles?

E-Klasse

Mine worked to open all of the windows with the key in the door but not with the remote. Try locking your car ane have everything closed then turn your key in the door to the unlock position and hold it there. In about a second or two, all of the windows will start to roll down. To stop them just turn the key back to the center. That way you can just crack all of the windows open to let the heat out if it has been parked in the sun for a while.

aglasgow

mine works with the key in the trunk as well. I was hoping that the windows would come down with just the remote button too. oh well, it's still pretty cool!