E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Ignition and Door Locking Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
santg's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E320
Unhappy Ignition and Door Locking Problems

Hey,
so I am pretty new on this Forum but I was hoping to shed some light on a problem I've been having. I own a 1998 E320, and it has been almost a year since I managed to start it the last time. It all started with ocassional problems recognizing the electronic key, where it wouldn't be "detected" as I inserted it in the Ignition Switch. Usually you would hear some kind of "locking/unlocking" sound coming from underneath the dashboard. Most of the time, it would work again by just inserting the key again. One day, it stopped working completely, and the key wouldn't be recognized anymore. You can't even turn it. Steering wheel remains locked. So that's one thing... the other one is that same time, the infrared unlocking mechanism stopped working, so when you press the lock/unlock button on the key remote, nothing happens. The infrared diode of the remote works ok though. So I'm kinda confused on what it may be exactly.

I already tried changing batteries on my key, cleaning the little infrared window on the remote and on the ignition switch, car battery is charged and in good shape, checked all fuse boxes. Took the Electronic Ignition Switch and the Key to a little car repair shop and they tried to reconfigure the key to the EIS. One of them said the spare key was defective but the main one still worked ok. The only alternative I see is to try to dismount the Electronic Locking Switch (ELS), and to see if that may be the problem; which wouldn't explain why the IR is not opening the doors. Can those two things be completely independent one from the other?

Maybe we can shed some light on the topic together... I would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:35 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE