Remote starter
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 633
Likes: 48
From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
Remote starter
Has anyone installed a remote starter that uses the Mercedes FOB, AND IS PLUG AND PLAY? Something that can be DIY? There is a Youtube video posted Sept 2019 that presses the panic button three times to start the vehicle. I need it to lock the doors and start the vehicle. And it has to retry the starts a couple of times since its a diesel in cold weather.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 917
Likes: 134
From: NOVA/DC
20' RCF, 18' NX, 09' E350, 07' Solara, 05' STi, 01' Ranger
I installed a midcity engineering smartkey starter about a year ago. I picked it up from a fellow member here. 100% plug and play. The hardest part of the install was installing the one plug into the ignition cylinder. It's SUPER cramped and probably took me an hour. If there was more space there to get your hand around, the entire install would take less than 5 minutes. I think I removed the lower panel I the footwell, and the radio just to get both my hands in there and unclip the harness.
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...arter-sks211c/
Super easy to sync the remote starter. Once synced, push the panic button once and it remote starts the vehicle. The flasher blink once every 5-10 seconds for as long as the car is on. The car can remain locked when it's remote started so you don't have to worry about someone opening the doors. When you unlock the car, you simply put your key in the ignition, turn it on (not crank it), and then press the brake pedal and you can change gears and go. My wife's lexus is stupid because you can remote start the vehicle but as soon as you open the door it shuts off. So you have to start it again. In the wiring harness they supply is an on/off switch that you can place somewhere in the vehicle so if you don't want the remote starter to be engaged for whatever reason you can switch it off. I placed the switch inside the center console ash tray area in the back. I don't use it as an ashtray, and have the little oem rubber mat that makes that space a usable space for other things. I cut a small hole to fit the switch so it's 100% hidden. You'd never know unless you look down and back and then you see the switch. You can easily turn it on/off with your finger.
If you are looking for a 100% plug and play solution that will work with zero issues the above is what you want.. I was searching around for a couple years mainly because I didn't want to spend the retail price of this.. But they do appear on eBay every once in a while. I hardly drive the w211 in the cold/winter but the times that I have used the remote start it's wonderful. Plus it's nice knowing that I have a feature that probably should have been ON the vehicle from the start/leaving the factory..
-Nigel
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...arter-sks211c/
Super easy to sync the remote starter. Once synced, push the panic button once and it remote starts the vehicle. The flasher blink once every 5-10 seconds for as long as the car is on. The car can remain locked when it's remote started so you don't have to worry about someone opening the doors. When you unlock the car, you simply put your key in the ignition, turn it on (not crank it), and then press the brake pedal and you can change gears and go. My wife's lexus is stupid because you can remote start the vehicle but as soon as you open the door it shuts off. So you have to start it again. In the wiring harness they supply is an on/off switch that you can place somewhere in the vehicle so if you don't want the remote starter to be engaged for whatever reason you can switch it off. I placed the switch inside the center console ash tray area in the back. I don't use it as an ashtray, and have the little oem rubber mat that makes that space a usable space for other things. I cut a small hole to fit the switch so it's 100% hidden. You'd never know unless you look down and back and then you see the switch. You can easily turn it on/off with your finger.
If you are looking for a 100% plug and play solution that will work with zero issues the above is what you want.. I was searching around for a couple years mainly because I didn't want to spend the retail price of this.. But they do appear on eBay every once in a while. I hardly drive the w211 in the cold/winter but the times that I have used the remote start it's wonderful. Plus it's nice knowing that I have a feature that probably should have been ON the vehicle from the start/leaving the factory..
-Nigel
Last edited by NewShockerGuy; Dec 4, 2019 at 08:11 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 401
Likes: 44
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
2009 e550 4Matic
I installed a midcity engineering smartkey starter about a year ago. I picked it up from a fellow member here. 100% plug and play. The hardest part of the install was installing the one plug into the ignition cylinder. It's SUPER cramped and probably took me an hour. If there was more space there to get your hand around, the entire install would take less than 5 minutes. I think I removed the lower panel I the footwell, and the radio just to get both my hands in there and unclip the harness.
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...arter-sks211c/
Super easy to sync the remote starter. Once synced, push the panic button once and it remote starts the vehicle. The flasher blink once every 5-10 seconds for as long as the car is on. The car can remain locked when it's remote started so you don't have to worry about someone opening the doors. When you unlock the car, you simply put your key in the ignition, turn it on (not crank it), and then press the brake pedal and you can change gears and go. My wife's lexus is stupid because you can remote start the vehicle but as soon as you open the door it shuts off. So you have to start it again. In the wiring harness they supply is an on/off switch that you can place somewhere in the vehicle so if you don't want the remote starter to be engaged for whatever reason you can switch it off. I placed the switch inside the center console ash tray area in the back. I don't use it as an ashtray, and have the little oem rubber mat that makes that space a usable space for other things. I cut a small hole to fit the switch so it's 100% hidden. You'd never know unless you look down and back and then you see the switch. You can easily turn it on/off with your finger.
If you are looking for a 100% plug and play solution that will work with zero issues the above is what you want.. I was searching around for a couple years mainly because I didn't want to spend the retail price of this.. But they do appear on eBay every once in a while. I hardly drive the w211 in the cold/winter but the times that I have used the remote start it's wonderful. Plus it's nice knowing that I have a feature that probably should have been ON the vehicle from the start/leaving the factory..
-Nigel
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...arter-sks211c/
Super easy to sync the remote starter. Once synced, push the panic button once and it remote starts the vehicle. The flasher blink once every 5-10 seconds for as long as the car is on. The car can remain locked when it's remote started so you don't have to worry about someone opening the doors. When you unlock the car, you simply put your key in the ignition, turn it on (not crank it), and then press the brake pedal and you can change gears and go. My wife's lexus is stupid because you can remote start the vehicle but as soon as you open the door it shuts off. So you have to start it again. In the wiring harness they supply is an on/off switch that you can place somewhere in the vehicle so if you don't want the remote starter to be engaged for whatever reason you can switch it off. I placed the switch inside the center console ash tray area in the back. I don't use it as an ashtray, and have the little oem rubber mat that makes that space a usable space for other things. I cut a small hole to fit the switch so it's 100% hidden. You'd never know unless you look down and back and then you see the switch. You can easily turn it on/off with your finger.
If you are looking for a 100% plug and play solution that will work with zero issues the above is what you want.. I was searching around for a couple years mainly because I didn't want to spend the retail price of this.. But they do appear on eBay every once in a while. I hardly drive the w211 in the cold/winter but the times that I have used the remote start it's wonderful. Plus it's nice knowing that I have a feature that probably should have been ON the vehicle from the start/leaving the factory..
-Nigel
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 633
Likes: 48
From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
I installed a midcity engineering smartkey starter about a year ago. I picked it up from a fellow member here. 100% plug and play. The hardest part of the install was installing the one plug into the ignition cylinder. It's SUPER cramped and probably took me an hour. If there was more space there to get your hand around, the entire install would take less than 5 minutes. I think I removed the lower panel I the footwell, and the radio just to get both my hands in there and unclip the harness.
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...arter-sks211c/
Super easy to sync the remote starter. Once synced, push the panic button once and it remote starts the vehicle. The flasher blink once every 5-10 seconds for as long as the car is on. The car can remain locked when it's remote started so you don't have to worry about someone opening the doors. When you unlock the car, you simply put your key in the ignition, turn it on (not crank it), and then press the brake pedal and you can change gears and go. My wife's lexus is stupid because you can remote start the vehicle but as soon as you open the door it shuts off. So you have to start it again. In the wiring harness they supply is an on/off switch that you can place somewhere in the vehicle so if you don't want the remote starter to be engaged for whatever reason you can switch it off. I placed the switch inside the center console ash tray area in the back. I don't use it as an ashtray, and have the little oem rubber mat that makes that space a usable space for other things. I cut a small hole to fit the switch so it's 100% hidden. You'd never know unless you look down and back and then you see the switch. You can easily turn it on/off with your finger.
If you are looking for a 100% plug and play solution that will work with zero issues the above is what you want.. I was searching around for a couple years mainly because I didn't want to spend the retail price of this.. But they do appear on eBay every once in a while. I hardly drive the w211 in the cold/winter but the times that I have used the remote start it's wonderful. Plus it's nice knowing that I have a feature that probably should have been ON the vehicle from the start/leaving the factory..
-Nigel
https://www.midcityengineering.com/p...arter-sks211c/
Super easy to sync the remote starter. Once synced, push the panic button once and it remote starts the vehicle. The flasher blink once every 5-10 seconds for as long as the car is on. The car can remain locked when it's remote started so you don't have to worry about someone opening the doors. When you unlock the car, you simply put your key in the ignition, turn it on (not crank it), and then press the brake pedal and you can change gears and go. My wife's lexus is stupid because you can remote start the vehicle but as soon as you open the door it shuts off. So you have to start it again. In the wiring harness they supply is an on/off switch that you can place somewhere in the vehicle so if you don't want the remote starter to be engaged for whatever reason you can switch it off. I placed the switch inside the center console ash tray area in the back. I don't use it as an ashtray, and have the little oem rubber mat that makes that space a usable space for other things. I cut a small hole to fit the switch so it's 100% hidden. You'd never know unless you look down and back and then you see the switch. You can easily turn it on/off with your finger.
If you are looking for a 100% plug and play solution that will work with zero issues the above is what you want.. I was searching around for a couple years mainly because I didn't want to spend the retail price of this.. But they do appear on eBay every once in a while. I hardly drive the w211 in the cold/winter but the times that I have used the remote start it's wonderful. Plus it's nice knowing that I have a feature that probably should have been ON the vehicle from the start/leaving the factory..
-Nigel
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Define "very cold"... The CDI, when running properly, will easily start down to 20 below zero F. I've started mine (with some noises of protestation from idlers and other turning accessories) easily enough down to 30 below. The key with the diesel is to make sure there's a preglow interval prior to engaging the starter.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 633
Likes: 48
From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
Define "very cold"... The CDI, when running properly, will easily start down to 20 below zero F. I've started mine (with some noises of protestation from idlers and other turning accessories) easily enough down to 30 below. The key with the diesel is to make sure there's a preglow interval prior to engaging the starter.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 65
From: Chicago
2013 SL550, 2016 GLE350, 2016 GLC300
Cold as in the F teens or zero. My glow plug dash LED never lites up for more than a second, the engine attempts to start as soon as I push the Keyless Go shifter button. When its cold overnight it usually takes three attempts to start. My thoughts were too, glow plugs are not preheating long enough. Once it starts it runs rough for a minute. I have an older diesel Ford truck, with manual key start, and I wait until the glow plug dash light goes out before cranking. Tomorrow I will keep my foot off the brake when pushing the shifter button, see if that changes anything. How I would want it to work is wait to start if the glow plug light is on, maybe it is since that light is only on for a second.
We're happy to walk thought this scenario with you -- give us a call or message us on our live chat app on our website during business hours -- M-F 10am-6pm CST.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 633
Likes: 48
From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
Hi ot1 - we build-in a delay between the remote start signal and the engine crank for this specific reason that you're describing.
We're happy to walk thought this scenario with you -- give us a call or message us on our live chat app on our website during business hours -- M-F 10am-6pm CST.
We're happy to walk thought this scenario with you -- give us a call or message us on our live chat app on our website during business hours -- M-F 10am-6pm CST.
Last edited by ot1; Dec 11, 2019 at 11:12 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 65
From: Chicago
2013 SL550, 2016 GLE350, 2016 GLC300
ot1 - we're sorry you haven't connected with someone when you tried. It's an incredibly busy time of year for us right now, but we would like to speak to you if you're wanting to connect with us. Perhaps consider sending us an email at sales@midcityengineering.com and let us know a good call-back number for you, and what times we can reach you, and a member of our team will reach out and speak to you about your vehicle needs. Thanks!
