GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

Key Fob

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Old Mar 9, 2025 | 10:06 AM
  #1  
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2012 gl450
Key Fob

Hi, I have a 2012 GL 450 last night all of a sudden the car went completely dead. I had an extra key fob. I tried that this morning and the car started and worked right away. Do the key fobs go bad overtime? I wasn’t sure or can they be fixed? Thanks.
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Old Mar 9, 2025 | 02:01 PM
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We'll need a lot more info for a response other than "yes".
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Old Mar 10, 2025 | 12:03 AM
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Did you try the old key fob again after successful start with the other key fob?
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Old Mar 10, 2025 | 08:07 AM
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2007 GL450
maybe try replace the batteries in the key fobs.
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Old Mar 10, 2025 | 11:17 AM
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Yes I tried the other fob it doesn’t work. I’m guessing it went bad.
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Old Mar 10, 2025 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Pmanc
Yes I tried the other fob it doesn’t work. I’m guessing it went bad.

Rare, in general it requires salt water or some other chemical intrusion. I had keyfobs from my 2004 C240 that worked perfectly until last year (when I gave the car away).
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Old Mar 10, 2025 | 01:05 PM
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One of mine died out of the blue and left me stranded 50 miles from home. The service adviser at the dealer said water intrusion is usually the cause, but it didn't get wet in between it working and not working. Maybe it had gotten wet in the past.

Not cheap to replace unfortunately, and unless something has changed recently, the keyless go fobs are NLA.
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Old Mar 10, 2025 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by EWT
The service adviser at the dealer said water intrusion is usually the cause, but it didn't get wet in between it working and not working. .
Mine was in my pocket, in the Gulf of America....the crazy day got crazier from there (three hours from home in the GLS literally in a ghetto).
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Old Mar 11, 2025 | 05:08 PM
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2012 gl450
I’ve had it for 10 years now and I never got wet. I did change the battery but it still doesn’t work. Can they be fixed or do I need to buy a new one and the scary part is if this can happen anytime I’m assuming? It’s weird that all of a sudden it stopped working
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Old Mar 11, 2025 | 06:56 PM
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Originally Posted by Pmanc
I’ve had it for 10 years now and I never got wet. I did change the battery but it still doesn’t work. Can they be fixed or do I need to buy a new one and the scary part is if this can happen anytime I’m assuming? It’s weird that all of a sudden it stopped working

repeated pressing of the buttons can break the PCB underneath.
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Old Mar 11, 2025 | 07:03 PM
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OK, is there anyway I could get it fixed or once they break it’s done?
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Old Mar 11, 2025 | 10:22 PM
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It depends… Is your PCB broken then no.
The new key is about 300 bucks programmed from a third-party or the Benz dealer.
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Old Mar 11, 2025 | 11:28 PM
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They used to be $300 when I had my GL key go bad 2013ish. A keyless go key for my ML that only came with one key was $600 from MB dealers everywhere I checked a couple of years ago + an hour of labor for programming for keyless go (I used BenzNinja). I didn't check on third party keys so no idea on prices there.
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Old Mar 12, 2025 | 09:44 AM
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2012 gl450
Ok thanks everyone
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Old Apr 3, 2025 | 10:38 PM
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Well, today I picked up my new fob and to my surprise it is not compatible with electronic remote start I called the dealer and they said since it’s an older fob style they do not make it work with the remote start because it would cost too much and the fob has been discontinued with the newer style Mercedes. The only way I have to press the buttons to open and close the car and I have to put in the key to start the car. No more key less go and entry. Disappointed
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Old Apr 4, 2025 | 06:40 AM
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At least now you’ll not lose the key… I kept losing the keyless go fobs because I never needed to put them in the lock and turn the key. Only with Mercedes is this the case because of the smooth shape of the fob.
My wife’s GMC Yukon is the opposite story- Angular square rubberized fob that you know you have and it’s hard to lose, even though you never actually physically have to touch it to start the car.
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Old Apr 4, 2025 | 12:10 PM
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Since the question got answered... can I ask a side question? I'm curious why the car shut off in the first place? Shouldn't it keep running so it doesn't leave someone stranded?

Case in point... and hence my curiosity... a few years back, I did a quick switch of vehicles with my wife as I needed to go to Lowes. We left the cars running and simply swapped. I then drove 40 minutes to get to Lowes, parked, and my finger was JUST about to press the stop button on the dash...... and I paused.... I didn't have the key! My wife still had it! So I just left the car running while I shopped. But HOW was I able to do that? My GL is a 2008... maybe it wasn't as smart as the newer ones... which is/was a good thing
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Old Apr 5, 2025 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by DennisG01
Since the question got answered... can I ask a side question? I'm curious why the car shut off in the first place? Shouldn't it keep running so it doesn't leave someone stranded?

Case in point... and hence my curiosity... a few years back, I did a quick switch of vehicles with my wife as I needed to go to Lowes. We left the cars running and simply swapped. I then drove 40 minutes to get to Lowes, parked, and my finger was JUST about to press the stop button on the dash...... and I paused.... I didn't have the key! My wife still had it! So I just left the car running while I shopped. But HOW was I able to do that? My GL is a 2008... maybe it wasn't as smart as the newer ones... which is/was a good thing
Strange, shouldn't it say key not detected when it detects key is gone as long as you open any doors?
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Old Apr 5, 2025 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Strange, shouldn't it say key not detected when it detects key is gone as long as you open any doors?

And 'dings' like mad...unless a door is cracked open. My record was two hours....key left from ORD to LAX....car never shut off. Spare key was at home.
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Old Apr 5, 2025 | 06:15 PM
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FYI my independent mechanic is a "licensed locksmith" and has the ability to create new keys, replace EIS, etc. and I believe is a little less expensive than the dealer here.

So, you might check that alternative assuming you know an independent in your area
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Old Apr 5, 2025 | 07:11 PM
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I was quite surprised that I didn't get any warning whatsoever - whether audible or visible. Nothing. Nada.

Mine is an '08 - could that have something to do with it? Meaning, is it a first generation keyless go? Or something like that?
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Old Apr 6, 2025 | 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by OldManAndHisCar
And 'dings' like mad...unless a door is cracked open. My record was two hours....key left from ORD to LAX....car never shut off. Spare key was at home.
Ya I thought so.
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Old Apr 22, 2025 | 08:03 PM
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2012 GL 450
Key stopped working

I have a similar issue with mine. After the carbattery died my key buttons stopped working. It still starts the car but it won’t react to the buttons. I tried replacing the battery in the key but it didn’t do anything. I know my driver door lock isnt working and I’m about to replace that so I’m hoping that will somehow miraculously fix the key buttons but I’m not optimistic. Anyone had this issue before?

After replacing the lock I’m going to try to scan it in xentry for any clues but after that I think I’m going to have to go to a dealer.
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Old Apr 22, 2025 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Sienk
I have a similar issue with mine. After the carbattery died my key buttons stopped working. It still starts the car but it won’t react to the buttons. I tried replacing the battery in the key but it didn’t do anything. I know my driver door lock isnt working and I’m about to replace that so I’m hoping that will somehow miraculously fix the key buttons but I’m not optimistic. Anyone had this issue before?

After replacing the lock I’m going to try to scan it in xentry for any clues but after that I think I’m going to have to go to a dealer.
Did you try removing the push start button and inserting the key to the slot, see if it syncs?
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Old Apr 23, 2025 | 10:54 AM
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2012 GL 450
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Did you try removing the push start button and inserting the key to the slot, see if it syncs?
I dont have push to start, key is in the slot and starts the car normally.
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