SmartKey range
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 864
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ML
SmartKey range
'01E430: The book states that the range of the SmartKey is long - mine is barely 6ft from the car - and it's brand new. Is the transmitter directional? On my Nissan truck, I can lock/unlock almost 1/2 a block away - the remote is not unidirectional. How close do you have to come to the car for the transmitter to kick in??
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 328
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From: Northern Virginia
05 CLK500; 07 Volvo XC90
it is not supposed to be directional. they fixed it since the '00 model year. mine had given me some trouble so i replaced the battery. both keys worked splendidly. maybe your batt is old.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: Honolulu
'04 E320 Wagon
I have a '98 E320 wagon with fresh batteries in both smart keys. I have to be within 5 feet and pointing at the car for the doors to open.
It's almost like to RF part is broken and only the IR portion works.
Not very impressive.
It's almost like to RF part is broken and only the IR portion works.
Not very impressive.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 879
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From: Toronto
SLK 350 '05
I have a '98 E320 wagon with fresh batteries in both smart keys. I have to be within 5 feet and pointing at the car for the doors to open.
is it true that you can really stand 60ft away!?! that's quite impressive, and fresh news to me!
Juke
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Yup... And the RF works good too. I can lock and unlock the car from inside my house on the 2nd lvl. if need be.
I would have your dealers check the RF function next time you are in for service. Something isn't right with the anemic ranges you are expirencing.
I would have your dealers check the RF function next time you are in for service. Something isn't right with the anemic ranges you are expirencing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
The range on my 98 E430 was terrible! Very short, maybe less than 20 feet. My E55 seems alot better so far. My Explorer Sport Track seems like a half a block.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 581
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From: Dallas
C32 AMG
My C32's SmartKey seems variable. Most of the time it works fine. Occasionally (maybe 1 out of 30 times) it just will not work unless I am right next to the sensor.
I don't think it's temperature related (this is Dallas, after all - its either hot or really hot)
Can my battery be getting bad already? I've only had the car since September.
I have read of people getting SmartKeys fixed or replaced under warranty for similar issues.
I don't think it's temperature related (this is Dallas, after all - its either hot or really hot)
Can my battery be getting bad already? I've only had the car since September.
I have read of people getting SmartKeys fixed or replaced under warranty for similar issues.
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Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Both of my remotes on an 02' E430 seem to have limited range, and I checked the batteries and they seem to be fine. I've had two loaner cars in the last week, both 02' 320's, and those remotes seemed to have a much further range. Does anybody know if the unit within the car itself could be problematic?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Bristol. UK
E320CDi Estate
Smart Key
Try this trick -
Hold key so that the main body is vertical - open then close.
Turn it 90o so it is horizontal - open then close.
Makes a large difference on mine.
Think there is a light polariser either on key or detector or both
Mike
Hold key so that the main body is vertical - open then close.
Turn it 90o so it is horizontal - open then close.
Makes a large difference on mine.
Think there is a light polariser either on key or detector or both
Mike
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: NYC
C32 AMG, C300 Sport
a long way.... at least 50 ft
But it wont do the windows from that distance. I have to be within about 6-10ft for that one to work right. But the doors open fine from a long distance. I have to remember not to unlock it too soon or it will relock before I get there.
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Florida
2007 E350/2001 SLK320
My smart key can open doors from quite a distance 20+ feet, yet the spare smart key only works when you are standing next to the vehicle..and then only intermittantly. I took it back to the dealership, and got the "cannot duplicate" spiel. I will definitely take it back again now that I have read this thread.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Sri Lanka
Originally posted by jswedberg
The windows are done using the infra-red only - the door locks use both.
The windows are done using the infra-red only - the door locks use both.
oh well.. i'm sure there a security reason why you can open and close the windows when you are close to the car...it's just a peeve of mine
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 711
Likes: 1
Smartkey RF was OUT
2002 W203 C-class
Finally got my smartkey RF problem sorted out.
Issue was key would only work when directly pointed at car door from very few feet. (IR was working fine, but not RF section of the keys). Had both keys replaced with newest rev, still nojoy.
Dealer diagnosed problem to be a short in the "rear antenna amplifier", replaced the unit and AOK.
Range is now about 50 feet and NOT-directional anymore.
Finally got my smartkey RF problem sorted out.
Issue was key would only work when directly pointed at car door from very few feet. (IR was working fine, but not RF section of the keys). Had both keys replaced with newest rev, still nojoy.
Dealer diagnosed problem to be a short in the "rear antenna amplifier", replaced the unit and AOK.
Range is now about 50 feet and NOT-directional anymore.
