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2007 Mercedes Benz E550 smart key starting issue?

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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 04:01 PM
  #1  
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2007 Mercedes Benz E550
2007 Mercedes Benz E550 smart key starting issue?

I just this past weekend got a 2007 mb e550. One time when going to start it today I turned the key and the engine didn't turn over and all the dash lights turned on, all of them... I took the key out and flipped it around (lock/unlock buttons facing steering wheel instead of passenger door) and it turned over and started right away. Does the direction of the key matter? Is the battery in the smart key low? Did I maybe just not push it in the ignition enough the first time? Any advice appeciated !! Thanks!
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 04:08 PM
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2007 E350 Sedan
Could just be and probably is just one of those things. These cars are highly electronically sophisticated, and every now and then you will see a gremlin pop up for no apparent reason and then go away. You did exactly what I would have done-changed things up/started over and tried again.

I am not aware that the key needs to be turned one way or the other. In my E350, it does not matter.

Replacing the battery is never a bad idea. However, at least as I recall, that may only affect opening doors, etc-not necessarily startup.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 04:10 PM
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2007 Mercedes Benz E550
Originally Posted by jimbo1763
Could just be and probably is just one of those things. These cars are highly electronically sophisticated, and every now and then you will see a gremlin pop up for no apparent reason and then go away. You did exactly what I would have done-changed things up/started over and tried again.

I am not aware that the key needs to be turned one way or the other. In my E350, it does not matter.

Replacing the battery is never a bad idea. However, at least as I recall, that may only affect opening doors, etc-not necessarily startup.
Ah ok, well I'll keep an eye on it and make an effort to make sure the key is firmly in before starting and hope for the best. Just hoping nothing is wrong since I have had it less than a week!
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:35 PM
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E63 AMG
Sometimes something as a dirty lens where the IR can cause it not to start. I would suggest just giving it a good wipe and it should be good to go. I assume you dont have keyless go?
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:37 PM
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2007 Mercedes Benz E550
Originally Posted by EvoTechnik
Sometimes something as a dirty lens where the IR can cause it not to start. I would suggest just giving it a good wipe and it should be good to go. I assume you dont have keyless go?
That is correct, no keyless go. Just the smart key which I put in the ignition and turn. I will have a look at the IR sensor (is that on the key, or the ignition? I'll look/wipe both if I can!

Thanks!
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:20 PM
  #6  
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You can do both, you can even go as far as taking the key apart and cleaning the inside lens wipe a q tip and some rubbing alcohol. Mine was acting funky and was just dirty. But start with cleaning the key lens at the tip.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:22 PM
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2007 Mercedes Benz E550
Originally Posted by EvoTechnik
You can do both, you can even go as far as taking the key apart and cleaning the inside lens wipe a q tip and some rubbing alcohol. Mine was acting funky and was just dirty. But start with cleaning the key lens at the tip.
Sounds good! Sounds like a reasonable first step! Thanks!
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 08:22 PM
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
The key actually doesn't use any battery power when it's in the ignition. The key could also be going bad so make sure you have the second key handy or switch to the other key. Otherwise it's an EIS problem. Search the old threads, a common problem. You might get lucky though and this is just a blip.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 08:24 PM
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2007 Mercedes Benz E550
Originally Posted by cetialpha5
The key actually doesn't use any battery power when it's in the ignition. The key could also be going bad so make sure you have the second key handy or switch to the other key. Otherwise it's an EIS problem. Search the old threads, a common problem. You might get lucky though and this is just a blip.
Unfortunately I only received one key from the dealer. Really hoping it was just a blip!!

Thanks!
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 12:17 AM
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 12:17 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by kss86
Unfortunately I only received one key from the dealer.
Vehicle originally delivered with 2 keys request dealer order programmed 2nd key at no cost.


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Old Nov 26, 2018 | 08:40 AM
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2007 Mercedes Benz E550
Just an update to this, this happened today again, and I noticed that I again used the key with the buttons facing the passenger door instead of the drivers door. Although it is designed to work both directions (which it did work the second time, with the key removed then reinserted but still facing the same direction), I think my specific key may have a scratch on the sensor or some other weirdness such that it just reads better when inserted with the buttons facing the drivers side. No big deal I'll just try to remember to insert it that way going forward as both times it has happened has been with the buttons in the same orientation.
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