celiboom

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!

bop11

Try moving the shifter. It may be the neutral switch

celiboom

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.

Marek_Norway

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)

Mmr1

celiboom

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 ++

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 !

andreigbs

I would try the top of the steering wheel, centered and straight down.

When I had this issue on my C300, it cost about $2K at the MB stealership. That was 4 years ago.

Marek_Norway

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...

Mmr1

B737

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

Pete McKinnis

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

Mmr1

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

andreigbs

It's possibly the ESL.

RettBergmark

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?

andreigbs

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

james182hill

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.

Mmr1

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.

james182hill

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.🤦🏾‍♂️