You won't believe this story - Lock Replacement on 98 E430.
11-10-2013, 12:53 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
You won't believe this story - Lock Replacement on 98 E430.
I live in Queens, New York and have had a 1998 E430 in my family since 2002.
I recently went on a trip for business and came home to discover my home was burglarized and my car (the E430) was stolen.
The burglary was weird in that only some things were stolen, while others were not, and even more weird was the fact that the key fob for the E430 which was left at home was not functional in that the lock/unlock/trunk buttons did not work.
In order to get in the car, you had to know about the valet key and that it would unlock the door, and then close the valet key to use the key fob to start the car.
All signs pointed to the fact that the car was stolen by someone we knew.
I had been in touch with this person since the burglary and to make a long story short, put on a sob story that my life has been turned upside down since the car was stolen, and that I was ready to put up a reward in order to get my car back.
The following evening, I got a phone call from this person claiming they had found my car, and that this person had risked his life speaking to people from his past in order to get it back. The car was a mere mile away, off the highway.
After getting the stolen vehicle alarm off by the NYPD, and having an evidence collection team stop by to take prints, etc., I was cleared to bring the car home, and stored it in my garage because someone out there still has the keys to my car.
Just yesterday, I was able to go get a full detail to clean the car up, and wish to begin driving the car around; however, I can't shake the fear that someone out there has the keys to my car.
I want to prevent another theft and want to know what it would take to replace the keys (physical and fob key), and how much it would cost?
I welcome any other ideas, as well.
Thank you for your time and attention.
I recently went on a trip for business and came home to discover my home was burglarized and my car (the E430) was stolen.
The burglary was weird in that only some things were stolen, while others were not, and even more weird was the fact that the key fob for the E430 which was left at home was not functional in that the lock/unlock/trunk buttons did not work.
In order to get in the car, you had to know about the valet key and that it would unlock the door, and then close the valet key to use the key fob to start the car.
All signs pointed to the fact that the car was stolen by someone we knew.
I had been in touch with this person since the burglary and to make a long story short, put on a sob story that my life has been turned upside down since the car was stolen, and that I was ready to put up a reward in order to get my car back.
The following evening, I got a phone call from this person claiming they had found my car, and that this person had risked his life speaking to people from his past in order to get it back. The car was a mere mile away, off the highway.
After getting the stolen vehicle alarm off by the NYPD, and having an evidence collection team stop by to take prints, etc., I was cleared to bring the car home, and stored it in my garage because someone out there still has the keys to my car.
Just yesterday, I was able to go get a full detail to clean the car up, and wish to begin driving the car around; however, I can't shake the fear that someone out there has the keys to my car.
I want to prevent another theft and want to know what it would take to replace the keys (physical and fob key), and how much it would cost?
I welcome any other ideas, as well.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Last edited by omegawon; 11-10-2013 at 01:04 PM. Reason: fix title.
11-10-2013, 03:44 PM
#2
I don't know how much it would cost, but what you want is definitely possible. If the car (I'm unfamiliar with the model changes) has the smartkey (electronic key you put in the dash to start it), you'd need to have the old key(s) disabled. This is a setting in the car that the dealer can do for you.
To make the physical keys not work, I think you'd have to have the locks on the door(s) and trunk replaced. Any existing smartkeys you have in your possession need not be disabled.
To make the physical keys not work, I think you'd have to have the locks on the door(s) and trunk replaced. Any existing smartkeys you have in your possession need not be disabled.
11-17-2013, 10:48 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
I heard that I can go to the dealer and order new keys, and once they are in, the service department can program the new keys to work with the car, and the old keys will be disabled.
Does anyone know anything about this? Would be extremely helpful.
Much thanks in advance.
---- just realized that's basically what you said. sorry, tired already.
But wanted to know if anyone has done it before, and what their experience was with it? Also, how much did it run you? We don't have a lot of great dealerships here that are service-centered in New York.
Does anyone know anything about this? Would be extremely helpful.
Much thanks in advance.
---- just realized that's basically what you said. sorry, tired already.
But wanted to know if anyone has done it before, and what their experience was with it? Also, how much did it run you? We don't have a lot of great dealerships here that are service-centered in New York.
11-18-2013, 04:07 AM
#4
Super Member
This is correct..
Last edited by renault12ts; 11-18-2013 at 11:05 AM.
