Partially dead key
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 30
2013 GLK350
Partially dead key
My main key for 2013 GLK 350 won't start my car anymore. Tried replacing the battery. No luck. It will unlock/lock the doors and open the trunk.
My spare works fine.
IS there a cheap way to get a replacement key there days? Should I live without one? I've never used the spare in 8 years.
I tried taking the key apart but it's glued together. I'm hours away from a dealer.
My spare works fine.
IS there a cheap way to get a replacement key there days? Should I live without one? I've never used the spare in 8 years.
I tried taking the key apart but it's glued together. I'm hours away from a dealer.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 728
Likes: 271
2011 GLK 350 4Matic
The battery has nothing to do with starting the car. It's only there for the "remote control functions".
There's a chip in there somewhere that your immobilizer system talks to. Either the immobilizer "forgot" that chip, or the chip itself is bad. There could be other possibilities, like the "chip antenna": in the dash isn't working right, but one chip is easier to read than the other... but that's not very likely.
FWIW, the above (well, the second part) is based on every other car I've owned in the last couple decades - Mercedes could do it a little differently, of course (I got used to that with a BMW, but hey, they used a chip in the key). ;-)
There's a chip in there somewhere that your immobilizer system talks to. Either the immobilizer "forgot" that chip, or the chip itself is bad. There could be other possibilities, like the "chip antenna": in the dash isn't working right, but one chip is easier to read than the other... but that's not very likely.
FWIW, the above (well, the second part) is based on every other car I've owned in the last couple decades - Mercedes could do it a little differently, of course (I got used to that with a BMW, but hey, they used a chip in the key). ;-)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 30
2013 GLK350
Weird. The buttons on the key weren't working but I could start the car, so I went inside and changed the battery. Now the buttons work, but the car won't start with the key. I'm guessing something just broke. Either the antenna or the chip.
The backup key works fine.
For a 2013, would you order a backup key? Just in case?
The backup key works fine.
For a 2013, would you order a backup key? Just in case?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 728
Likes: 271
2011 GLK 350 4Matic
There are other threads on sourcing spare keys. It's not cheap.
I'm betting that somehow the process of battery swapping damaged the chip. Might be worth retracing your steps to see if there's anything obvious going on inside the key.
I'm betting that somehow the process of battery swapping damaged the chip. Might be worth retracing your steps to see if there's anything obvious going on inside the key.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 280
From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
If it were me, I'd fiddle with the inoperative key fob to see if I can get it to work. I'd eventually (probably) dismantle it and spray electronic cleaner as a last resort.
I lost the ONLY key fob we had for my wife's previous 2001 E320 (she's a MB fanatic so bought her the 2014 GLK years ago).
In 2021, I bought a replacement key fob for the 2001 E320, which cost me $360 USD (from MB dealership). I had no other option because we didn't have a 2nd backup.
If you don't have a 2nd backup key, and something bad happens, you're gonna be stuck. And it takes a few days before you get the new key from MB.
I lost the ONLY key fob we had for my wife's previous 2001 E320 (she's a MB fanatic so bought her the 2014 GLK years ago).
In 2021, I bought a replacement key fob for the 2001 E320, which cost me $360 USD (from MB dealership). I had no other option because we didn't have a 2nd backup.
If you don't have a 2nd backup key, and something bad happens, you're gonna be stuck. And it takes a few days before you get the new key from MB.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 915
Likes: 185
Yikes:
I bought a third key for my 2014 years ago just to have a spare, spare. A bit spendy but greater peace of mind. I actually rotate my three keys every four months so they're all getting used (and confirming they're still functional). I keep a spare new key battery in the car which I also "rotate" so I don't find it dead when I actually may need it. Lastly, I removed the rubber "space filler" inside of the keys so I can fit the 2035 batteries instead of the 2025. The 2035 is a bit thicker so has greater capacity and lasts somewhat longer than a 2035. A bit over-kill maybe, but...
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 25
From: CT
'21 GLC 300, '13 C300 Sport
Be sure to use highest quality, premium battery (and most $$$). Had some random issues with my wife's 2013 C300s key fobs, not opening door locks.... tried new batteries that weren't the best, problems persisted. Once I replace with a premium battery, problems cured. (Duracell 2025)
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