SecondBreakfast

Hey everyone, I'm running into an issue that I hope you guys can help me solve:
I picked up a 2012 E320 wagon a little while ago, and it has the keyless go option. I absolutely love it, but one of my keys that came with the car doesn't work properly. When I remove the start button, insert the key and start the car, it works fine. But all the remote functions (lock, unlock, etc) and the keyless go (touch the door handle, automatically unlocks) don't work.

No problem, I figured I can get a new key made at the dealership, even if it is expensive. Problem is that every dealership I call tells me that the keyless go keys for the W212 cars are discontinued and unavailable. My indy shop doesn't program keys, and automotive locksmiths in my area have never even heard of the keyless go system.

Does anyone know of a way I can get a keyless go key made for this car? I'm in Columbus OH, and I'd be willing to drive a fair distance to a shop that can make me a key. Or even ship my broken key off to a specialist who can repair it. Any solutions welcome!

Sunnyslope48

You did put in a new battery, right?

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

www.northcoastkeyless.com and buy new. A locksmith with the correct equipment can program a new fob up thru MY2014. MY2015 and newer MUST be done through a dealer. You should be fine. NorthCoastKeyless has a list of locksmiths on their site.

SecondBreakfast

Haha, yes, I probably should have mentioned that. Tried two different batteries, and took it by my indy. I think there might've been some battery leakage that corroded the circuit board.

juanmor40

At that point, the alternative is to check if a transplant is possible. The "encrypted code" is part of the board and transplants have been done in the past. I must say, never seen/heard of a transplant of a FSB4 key (2014+)

CaliBenzDriver

"Keyless-Go quit working so keyfob is bad...":
not necessarily 100% - Lets see

-- Does No2 fob works but only No1 doesn't?

-- Can you see the small red LED blinking on the fob ?
-- Have you used a scanner on your wagon??

-- (Reboot the chassis will both batteries GND disconnected for 15mn...)
​​​​​​

SecondBreakfast

Good question! No, there is no LED blinking on the fob, nor does the IR work (checked it with an IR camera), or even the basic remote functions of lock/unlock with the buttons. I suspect the battery leaked at some point and corroded the circuit board, or it got wet somehow.

juanmor40

@CaliBenzDriver , perhaps time for the OP to clear a few things

is it a S212 E320? Never seen one. Perhaps it is an S212 E350, or a S211 E320 ?

CaliBenzDriver

Juan, like you I've been biten many times... we try not to rush blindly to one conclusion.

Granted 50% chance it's keyfob...

This being such a nose bleed, its best to cross the T's now than after.

CaliBenzDriver

Ok I see... if LED is not blinking that is a big clue right there.

You can do a visual inspection by popping the battery cover with key inserted in.

$500 is worth cleaning attempt

SecondBreakfast

D'oh. It is, in fact a 2012 E350 Wagon. I don't often make typos, but apparently when I do, they're big ones. My apologies.

pierrejoliat

Yes, my daughter used them for her Nissan key fobs, they were great, I noticed they have the Benz remote in stock 59.00 used 99.00 new, It does not say if it's keyless entry or just normal though

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

I had purchased a couple for my 2015 SL400 when I lost one of two keys. I never want to have only one key! They were exact replacements with all the functions EXCEPT the locksmith could not program them because my model year was not supported. I later find out that only 2014 and older cars could be programmed by a locksmith.

When I checked a couple of days ago, they were out of stock on the NEW fobs and only had the used ones. I would opt for the NEW ones since I have no idea if USED ones can be reprogrammed. I'm guessing, however, they wouldn't sell used ones if they didn't work. Returning the unprogrammed fobs was no problem at all.

SecondBreakfast

Well everyone, I have a possible solution and figured I'd post in case anyone else runs into this issue. I decided to hit the FB Marketplace in search of someone who can program an aftermarket key with Keyless Go functionality. There was no lack of "We program Mercedes keys!!!!" people on there, so I messaged a few. Most of them didn't know what Keyless Go was, or they would respond, "That's just a push-button start, right?" so I wasn't too hopeful of finding anyone.

I also sent an inquiry to NorthridgeFix to see if my non-functioning key could be repaired. They did respond, and quoted a repair fee of $295 with an 8-week turnaround time. They did mention that if they were unable to repair the key after opening it up, there would be a $75 fee before they would return it. Not great, but a viable option in a pinch.

Then I received a response from a guy in Cincinnati who was very knowledgable and had lots of experience programming Keyless Go keys. He said it was guaranteed to work just like OEM, and apparently has a line on aftermarket Keyless Go fobs. It's not cheap, but obviously will be less expensive than going to the dealer (not that they have the key I needed anyways). I'll be down his way in a couple weeks, so we set up an appointment. I'll update on how it all goes. Thanks to those who floated some ideas, I'm sure other people searching for this same information will find this thread useful.