Car wont crank, "remove key" message

Oct 22, 2018 | 11:29 AM

celiboom

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 16

Likes: 1

Mercedes GLK 2010

Car wont crank, "remove key" message

Hi, my mercedes glk 2010 is acting up this morning. I came to my GLK this morning and window was a bit down about 1 inch (can't remember if I closed it 100% last time I tooked the truck)

however, I put the key in the ignitiion and I was unable to roll the window up. then I tried to start the car and nothing..... the dash indicate me to "remove the key". We bought a new battery 1 month ago but Just in case, I tried to jump start the car and nothing more. I also tried to use our 2nd key with no luck.

Is this a common problem with GLK ? car is not even cranking or trying to start

thanks a lot!

Oct 22, 2018 | 12:29 PM

bop11

Super Member

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 861

Likes: 38

From: Philly area

350 GLK, C280

Try moving the shifter. It may be the neutral switch

Oct 22, 2018 | 01:27 PM

celiboom

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 16

Likes: 1

Mercedes GLK 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by bop11

Try moving the shifter. It may be the neutral switch

I tried to move it as much as possible, did the same with the stearing. when you put the key in you hear a little clic noise but the stearing isn't unlocking. the gages remains to 0 but they light up.

Oct 22, 2018 | 02:47 PM

Marek_Norway

Member

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 138

Likes: 15

From: Loen, Norway

2009 GLK 220 cdi

If the steering wheel doesn't unlock when you put the key in, it is ESL (electronic steering lock)...check the internet for this problem, it is very common on C and GLK class (W204, X204) and expensive repair in dealer...I had this problem this summer, my GLK is 9 years old and has 200000 km on...check this - https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...lots-pics.html
I was able to unlock the steering wheel after few hits to steering column/shaft, then I removed ESL and changed the motor in it (the whole repair cost me 40 dollars)

Oct 22, 2018 | 05:27 PM

Mmr1

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Joined: Sep 2015

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2013 glk 350

Put a volt meter on the battery to verify charge. You need about 12.75v . I’ve seen defective batteries that won’t take a jump. Try charging with a charger if low.

Oct 23, 2018 | 11:32 AM

celiboom

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Mercedes GLK 2010

Thanks a lot everyone, I just got a call from the local repair shop and they said it was the ESL and they can't change it because it need to be reprogrammed at the dealer. They are offering me to tow it to the nearest local dealer. @marek, how hard was it to repair? How much time it took to do?

I will call my dealer to know if they can fix it without spending 1K ++

Oct 23, 2018 | 11:35 AM

celiboom

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 16

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Mercedes GLK 2010

Quick question, where did you hit the stearing column to unlock it? you hit above the wheel? under? If I could get it to start again, I could at least get it back home to try DIY !

Last edited by celiboom; Oct 23, 2018 at 11:50 AM.

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Oct 23, 2018 | 03:22 PM

Marek_Norway

Member

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 138

Likes: 15

From: Loen, Norway

2009 GLK 220 cdi

Quote:

Originally Posted by celiboom

Quick question, where did you hit the stearing column to unlock it? you hit above the wheel? under? If I could get it to start again, I could at least get it back home to try DIY !

You need to take down plastic cover over the pedals, then you can see the steering shaft, one part of it is thicker then the rest of it, there you need to hit it, the steering lock is on the oposite side of this place. Hit it with the rubber or normal hammer, then insert the key into ignition, but don't turn it if you won't hear characteristic sound for it...try it few times - hit and insert, hit and insert...if you will hear the sound, you won, you can start the engine, you can drive it, you can stop the engine, but don't remove the key from ignition...I drove my glk 2 weeks without removing the key, but you can't lock the car if the key is in...when you will be ready for repair, disconnect the battery with key in, ELS must stay unlocked, then you can remove it from steering shaft...
If you won't unlock the steering, then the EIS (electronic ignition switch) is locked electronically and even if you remove the ELS and change the motor, you will have to find somebody with the computer for unlocking the EIS...I was lucky, my EIS stayed unlocked (EIS is driving unit, you put the key in it and it is paired with ELS. After couple of unsuccesfull attempts to unlock the steering wheel locks itself).
The whole job took me around 3 hours, but I removed airbag, steering wheel, steering column and the steering shaft, for second time I would go without removing airbag and steering wheel, I would remove steering shaft with wheel and bag on it...I have also knee airbag, it was little obstacle, harder to move around with tools...
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
Good luck...

Last edited by Marek_Norway; Oct 23, 2018 at 03:34 PM.

Oct 23, 2018 | 05:53 PM

#10

Mmr1

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 2,584

Likes: 343

2013 glk 350

If you get an esl from a junkyard that’s from the same model you won’t have to have it programmed,

Oct 24, 2018 | 12:43 PM

#11

B737

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 379

Likes: 41

From: Jersey Shore

2012 GLK

if its the ESL, i would bring the car home, remove ESL, and have it exchanged for a black box, there are guys on the forum who will do it for you, and on ebay too. no more ESL....

204 C CLASS GLK ESL/EIS steering lock REPAIR or DELETE https://ebay.us/wH0xhA

Last edited by B737; Oct 24, 2018 at 04:29 PM.

Jan 24, 2021 | 07:21 AM

#12

Pete McKinnis

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2021

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

c300

C300 Mercedes 2010

Parked my car last night and when I went back a few minutes later the car would not start. When i put key in the ignition there is a message that says remove key from ignition. However, the vehicle will not start and Im not sure what to do. I did the usual by checking to make sure the vehicle is in park but still not response.

Pls provide me some instructions as to what to try.

Thanks,

Pete McKinnis

Jan 24, 2021 | 11:50 AM

#13

Mmr1

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Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 2,584

Likes: 343

2013 glk 350

How old is the battery, do you have a volt meter, check it. Do you have a battery charger with AGM cycle? Use it.

Jan 25, 2021 | 11:31 AM

#14

andreigbs

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 1,369

Likes: 319

From: WI

GLK 250

It's possibly the ESL.

Apr 15, 2021 | 02:29 AM

#15

RettBergmark

Newbie

Joined: Apr 2021

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

2001 CLK

REMOVE KEY message

My 2001 CLK Mercedes was parked all day. When I returned, I unlocked the doors with the battery powered fob/key. I sat in the seat, put the key in the ignition and a warning light appeared with a large key on the display with the words "REMOVE KEY" on it. The key would not turn and therefore the car failed to start. I removed the key, tried again and each time I would get the REMOVE KEY message. Is it the key or the car?

Apr 15, 2021 | 09:45 AM

#16

andreigbs

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 1,369

Likes: 319

From: WI

GLK 250

Try the CLK subforums. I believe it's W208 for your year.

May 2, 2021 | 10:14 PM

#17

james182hill

Newbie

Joined: May 2020

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

2010 Mercedes C300 4Matic Luxury

Help please

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmr1

If you get an esl from a junkyard that’s from the same model you won’t have to have it programmed,

so if I buy one from the junkyard and just replace the old esl with the new one I won’t have to replace the lock or get it programmed? Sorry just wanna make sure before I buy it cause taking apart the esl worries me.

May 3, 2021 | 10:31 AM

#18

Mmr1

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Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 2,584

Likes: 343

2013 glk 350

A friend of mine that repairs his mb replaced his transmission computer with a junk yard unit, he said it worked fine with no programming a new one would need, I can’t say for your application. It is a cheaper way to try it.

May 3, 2021 | 12:53 PM

#19

james182hill

Newbie

Joined: May 2020

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

2010 Mercedes C300 4Matic Luxury

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmr1

thanks, I think I’m gonna just try and replace the motor in the esl myself. Doesn’t look to bad plus the cars far in the country away from dealerships, shops, and towing companies.🤦🏾‍♂️