1998 E320 key will not work
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E320
1998 E320 key will not work
My 1998 E320 just started to not accept the key. The key will not work the door locks and when inserted in the ignition, I cannot turn the ignition and the dash reads 'Take Key'.
I ordered a new key which I should get on Mon. If that doesn't work I see an ignition switch on benzpartsforless for $431. Tis is less than I was quoted of $1600 to have it replaced. Is this the right part or is there something else I should try?
I ordered a new key which I should get on Mon. If that doesn't work I see an ignition switch on benzpartsforless for $431. Tis is less than I was quoted of $1600 to have it replaced. Is this the right part or is there something else I should try?
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E320
My daughter has the car, away from home. I only ordered a new key because it seemed the lowest cost option. We only have one key, because the other key and valet key have both been lost over time.
Is there an inexpensive way to test the EIS?
Is there an inexpensive way to test the EIS?
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E320
I have the car at an independent shop now that was recommended by a friend in the repair business. What I am trying to proactively decide is if the key doesn't work, what the right next step is. The owner of the shop says the EIS is the next component, but again, his quote to replace is like $1600. I was looking and saw the $431 unit on line, but am not sure if this is really the right part (and if it is, is it capable of being synched with the car/key, etc.
Again, if the key did not work for either the locks or the ignition, how likely is it that the key is bad or something else on the car?
Again, if the key did not work for either the locks or the ignition, how likely is it that the key is bad or something else on the car?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Door locks and the ignition activation are different functions. To get the doors to lock/unlock you might just need to replace the batteries. For the car to recognize the key there is a chip inside that has probably gone bad. What I would do is buy a new key from a MB dealer and that should work out of the box.
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E430
Since this board was so helpful while I was trying to diagnose my problem I figured I would check back in with an update. The key in my 1999 E430 would not turn in the ignition nor would the key open the doors or trunk. We (my husband) checked the batteries, fuses, and vehicle battery to no avail. I tried resetting the key... all to no avail. I finally gave up, ordered a new key and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Two weeks and $331 later the car started right up with the key.
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
The ignition knob and doors remote are 2 separate things in the same body, so strange that both failed at the same time.
Still the first thing I do when buying car with 1 key is stop at dealer and orders spare one. The service aka valet keys might be available much cheaper than the remote.
Still the first thing I do when buying car with 1 key is stop at dealer and orders spare one. The service aka valet keys might be available much cheaper than the remote.
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1998 Mercedes E320 V6 Base
Since this board was so helpful while I was trying to diagnose my problem I figured I would check back in with an update. The key in my 1999 E430 would not turn in the ignition nor would the key open the doors or trunk. We (my husband) checked the batteries, fuses, and vehicle battery to no avail. I tried resetting the key... all to no avail. I finally gave up, ordered a new key and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Two weeks and $331 later the car started right up with the key.
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Newbie
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E430
The ignition knob and doors remote are 2 separate things in the same body, so strange that both failed at the same time.
Still the first thing I do when buying car with 1 key is stop at dealer and orders spare one. The service aka valet keys might be available much cheaper than the remote.
Still the first thing I do when buying car with 1 key is stop at dealer and orders spare one. The service aka valet keys might be available much cheaper than the remote.
The ignition would not turn at all with the old key. When I used the new key the car was in park and it just started right up. There was no need to put it in neutral.
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Newbie
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1998 Mercedes E320 V6 Base
Since I’d never owned a Mercedes Inhas no idea that replacement keys were so expensive. Lesson learned.
The ignition would not turn at all with the old key. When I used the new key the car was in park and it just started right up. There was no need to put it in neutral.
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E320
Fix?
i have had a similar situation but discovered a workaround. While the key fob is in the ignition press the door unlock button. Don’t hold too long. You may need to do it 3 to 5 times but one of those times you may hear the ignition release and you can start the car. Sometimes it may turn all the way without starting, just take out the key and try again. If that doesn’t work after 5 tries then flip over the key and try the series again.
I don’t know why it works but it does.
If you get it to start and run, it still might not look CKE when you go to shut off. If that happens put the key back in and do what you did to get the electronic release sound and then take the key out and close and lock.
I don’t know why it works but it does.
If you get it to start and run, it still might not look CKE when you go to shut off. If that happens put the key back in and do what you did to get the electronic release sound and then take the key out and close and lock.
Newbie
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1998 Mercedes E320 V6 Base
i have had a similar situation but discovered a workaround. While the key fob is in the ignition press the door unlock button. Don’t hold too long. You may need to do it 3 to 5 times but one of those times you may hear the ignition release and you can start the car. Sometimes it may turn all the way without starting, just take out the key and try again. If that doesn’t work after 5 tries then flip over the key and try the series again.
I don’t know why it works but it does.
If you get it to start and run, it still might not look CKE when you go to shut off. If that happens put the key back in and do what you did to get the electronic release sound and then take the key out and close and lock.
I don’t know why it works but it does.
If you get it to start and run, it still might not look CKE when you go to shut off. If that happens put the key back in and do what you did to get the electronic release sound and then take the key out and close and lock.
