longbeach

My wife has a 2003 E320 4matic wagon. Has about 120k miles. Recently, I've had a couple of instances when I turned the key to start I got nothing. But after taking out key and reinserting,it worked fine. Is this indicating a future problem that is developing? I hate to get to the point when we turn it nothing happens and we"re stuck. Is there something I can address now? Thanks for any help.

bbirdwell

Does this occur with only one or both of the key fobs? If it occurs with both, it points toward a poor connection in the EIS. If it only occurs with one fob, look for a bad solder connection on the key fob's circuit board.

longbeach

OK, have not tried the other key fob. Will do that, over the next few days. Thanks

fabbrisd1

1st - please make sure the thin "locking ring" around the ignition switch is tight, Many older W210's this ring can loosen and in turn give you "loose" key fitting. If you look closely at that metal ring - it has notches in it for a special MB tool/socket - but often the tips of a open needle nose plier's or scissors can be inserted across the ring to engage two nothces to clockwise/turn/tighten the ring.

2nd - "sometime" with our older fob's - the red plastic "lens" at the tip of the fob can get dirty/marred/scratched - that plastic tip can be rub/cleaned with a toothpaste/abrasive tip and damp cloth - to polish back to clean/nice

bbirdwell

Here are 94 pages of awesome technical description of the drive authorization system in Mercedes Benz autos. Enjoy!

http://benzbits.com/DAS.pdf

Personally, I think this info should be placed in a sticky.