AnthonyW210

HELP! So I put the key in the ignition and it won’t turn. The screen in the cluster stays “remove key” if the door is open and all lights and radio work if I wiggle it or pull it in and out a couple times it will eventually start. Do we think it’s the key? I’m 22 years old and I’m literally terrified as to what it will cost to take it to a dealer to have it fixed! Thanks!

raymond g-

car battery may be depleted below minimum specifications. pull out a volt meter and check the
voltage of the battery, at rest, as well as when the engine is cranking. report back. hopefully
it is above 12.5 ... and closer to 13 volts.

no point chasing symptoms (fixing ignition, bad IR on key, key replacement etc...all costly, if
you've not checked off the basics of the system upstream in good working order.

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/my-key-...-benz-problem/

jerryrogerson

My 2003 C240 key would not turn in the ignition after leaving it for 10 days while on vacation. I would like to give a shout out to raymond g- who posted on 3-8-2019 at 11:01 am to check the battery power before tearing everything apart and spending a lot of money. My 12 volt battery registered 3.5 volts. I hooked the charger up to it last night and immediately started the engine this morning. Obviously some drain on the battery sucked all the power while I was gone. Thanks, raymond g- !!!

khomer2

I would highly recommend you check for any possible parasitic draw that seems to be happening in your system.
That being said, I've always recommended to my neighbours with MBs, if they go on a trip where their MBs sit undriven for any extended period, kept their battery on trickle charge with a good charger.
We do with our cars, and if they are in storage over the winter. And get them out on nice sunny days to stretch their legs.

jerryrogerson

Thanks for the advice on keeping the battery fully charged while I am on extended trips. I will search for the parasitic draws.

Ownley1

I think I've had this happen to me on my 430, the temporary solution is you put the key in and then tap/lightly pound on the area immediately to the bottom right of where you put the key in. You should then be able to turn it. I think something in the mechanism gets stuck and the vibration helps move it along.

Plutoe

the last post was 4 years ago what are you replying to
in any event you post does not make sense as banging around does no good

Ownley1

I'm replying to the question posed in the title. This is the 12th most viewed thread in the whole W210 section. I offered a temporary solution so people aren't stuck away from home. I know it works because I've done it multiple times on my 2001 E430 and it was mentioned in a thread on the other forum website.

kps4hire

Got a reference -print, how-to video, anything-for this repair? It would be much appreciated.