Program New ML key
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 18
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From: Orange County, Ca
1989 560SL signal red/palamino
Program New ML key
I had to buy a new key for my 2005 ML; the old one broke. The dealer hit me for $145 and now wants an additional $35 to program it. Does anyone know if there is some way that I can do it myself?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
It s a shame that $180 does not mean much these days. Its like spending 10 bucks in 1980!! As for the key, there are no other choices and that should give people the incentive to be more careful with the keys and also not to purchase any used MB that comes with only 1 key. Not the dealers fault and with MB its a security issue and that is well worth it.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 232
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02 ML320 Sport, 04 350z,06 E350 4matic
The cost of an MB key is a deterrant to the MB getting stolen.
The MB key has to be configured for the car and has an internal transponder. Most car thieves will not be able to fake out the system. I thought it sucked when I had to order by key and show my proof of ownership to the dealer. BUt then I as I thoought about it I felt more secure knowing that the only way a key to my car was being cut was through MB USA. So yes the cost of $180 is high when viewed by itself. But viewed as a deterraant to thieves and piece of mind that your car is secure it is quite cheap.
The MB key has to be configured for the car and has an internal transponder. Most car thieves will not be able to fake out the system. I thought it sucked when I had to order by key and show my proof of ownership to the dealer. BUt then I as I thoought about it I felt more secure knowing that the only way a key to my car was being cut was through MB USA. So yes the cost of $180 is high when viewed by itself. But viewed as a deterraant to thieves and piece of mind that your car is secure it is quite cheap.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
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S430, ML500, CLK
Yeah, I wanna know what dealer charges 35 for it. LOL the ones I go to charge 140 in addition to the cost of the key. SMH. 
What's worse is AFter you get the new key they told me the old one wont work, so I cant have two, without paying for them to reprogram my old key that stopped working btw ... Security is nice, but i've seen them program the keys it takes less than five minutes...
What's worse is AFter you get the new key they told me the old one wont work, so I cant have two, without paying for them to reprogram my old key that stopped working btw ... Security is nice, but i've seen them program the keys it takes less than five minutes...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Yeah, I wanna know what dealer charges 35 for it. LOL the ones I go to charge 140 in addition to the cost of the key. SMH. What's worse is AFter you get the new key they told me the old one wont work, so I cant have two, without paying for them to reprogram my old key that stopped working btw ... Security is nice, but i've seen them program the keys it takes less than five minutes...
What's worse is AFter you get the new key they told me the old one wont work, so I cant have two, without paying for them to reprogram my old key that stopped working btw ... Security is nice, but i've seen them program the keys it takes less than five minutes...MB World Stories
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
S430, ML500, CLK
They probably charge you the higher amount because you are such a good customer and a wonderful friendly guy! By the way the old key cannot be reprogrammed. Do not know what you saw them do but if you take the entire process from start to finish takes way longer than 5 minutes. What do you think that the tech should work for nothing again because you are a wonderful person??
Last edited by DEESBENZ; Mar 24, 2011 at 12:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
You're right I am a wonderful lady! You must be a comedian, I see you wait for people to voice their frustrations and side with the dealership.hmmmmm do you work for them? BTW my dealership told me that they offer to program the "old" key for a fee. They have no reason to lie. The rest of your message was stupid, so whatever. lol
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: New England
1990 190E 2.6, ... 1998 ML320, 2005 ML500SE
The $145 and $35 fees are the lowest I have seen for a new key and programming.
This dealer is treating you very well.
I have seen keys go for $250 with $120 for programming.
Mike
This dealer is treating you very well.
I have seen keys go for $250 with $120 for programming.
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 369
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From: Germany
c200k
That is BS. The keys are reprogrammable, and this is coming from someone who has inquired about it recently for various recent years, including my own. The dealer assured me that not only are my keys reprogrammable, but the newer ones as well. It's different if the dealer doesn't have the computer to reprogram the keys, but in that case, they need it to program new ones. The bigger dealers in Germany do it routinely, while the smaller ones claim keys can't be reprogrammed because they don't have the equipment.
Last edited by sknight; Mar 26, 2011 at 12:28 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
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S430, ML500, CLK
Amen!
That is BS. The keys are reprogrammable, and this is coming from someone who has inquired about it recently for various recent years, including my own. The dealer assured me that not only are my keys reprogrammable, but the newer ones as well. It's different if the dealer doesn't have the computer to reprogram the keys, but in that case, they need it to program new ones. The bigger dealers in Germany do it routinely, while the smaller ones claim keys can't be reprogrammed because they don't have the equipment.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
S430, ML500, CLK
actually mine was done for free yesterday at the dealer they said since I purchased key they did it free and the programmed both keys to boot gotta love it
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Actually I believe the reprogramming can only be done with the old style blade key as used in the W163. The newer W164's have the smart key as used in all of the cars and they cannot be reprogrammed. And DEESBENZ I have no affiliation with any MB dealer. I am retired pilot and I have also owned numerous aviation related businesses . Think about it for a minute and try to figure out how a dealership employee could own as many MB's as I have over the years unless I owned the place which I do not.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
S430, ML500, CLK
Actually I believe the reprogramming can only be done with the old style blade key as used in the W163. The newer W164's have the smart key as used in all of the cars and they cannot be reprogrammed. And DEESBENZ I have no affiliation with any MB dealer. I am retired pilot and I have also owned numerous aviation related businesses . Think about it for a minute and try to figure out how a dealership employee could own as many MB's as I have over the years unless I owned the place which I do not.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
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From: Denver
1999 ML430
It may depend on the year - but I know with mine ('99 ml 430) what I learned is that when they built the car, they gave you 2 keys, of the 8 possible key 'slots' in the AAM. When you have used all 8, you are toast and need to buy a new 'Brain' for the vehicle. (AAM,ECU etc etc) Well that is the official version from MB.
I purchased (we lost the last key - and found out that the previous owner had indeed lost all the other keys - we were newbies and didn't think to ask if ' all the other keys had been used'.
I purchased a diagnostics/programming kit to reprogram keys and lo and behold - it worked as advertised so we programmed three new keys (with remotes). ONly sad thing is during the time the car has been sitting, the ECU and AAM are not synchronized - so although everything seems to check out - and keys have been programmed - the car won't start.
Not sure where to go from here, frustration is building - getting more tempted to dump it - except for it being an excellent car (well.. door stop)
I have heard that I can 'reset' the ME (ECU?) and force it to resynchronize with the AAM. Mercededs will not sell us any of these parts individually since their records show all 8 keys used...
How can the units get syncronized?
I purchased (we lost the last key - and found out that the previous owner had indeed lost all the other keys - we were newbies and didn't think to ask if ' all the other keys had been used'.
I purchased a diagnostics/programming kit to reprogram keys and lo and behold - it worked as advertised so we programmed three new keys (with remotes). ONly sad thing is during the time the car has been sitting, the ECU and AAM are not synchronized - so although everything seems to check out - and keys have been programmed - the car won't start.
Not sure where to go from here, frustration is building - getting more tempted to dump it - except for it being an excellent car (well.. door stop)
I have heard that I can 'reset' the ME (ECU?) and force it to resynchronize with the AAM. Mercededs will not sell us any of these parts individually since their records show all 8 keys used...
How can the units get syncronized?
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh
1999 ML430
It may depend on the year - but I know with mine ('99 ml 430) what I learned is that when they built the car, they gave you 2 keys, of the 8 possible key 'slots' in the AAM. When you have used all 8, you are toast and need to buy a new 'Brain' for the vehicle. (AAM,ECU etc etc) Well that is the official version from MB.
I purchased (we lost the last key - and found out that the previous owner had indeed lost all the other keys - we were newbies and didn't think to ask if ' all the other keys had been used'.
I purchased a diagnostics/programming kit to reprogram keys and lo and behold - it worked as advertised so we programmed three new keys (with remotes). ONly sad thing is during the time the car has been sitting, the ECU and AAM are not synchronized - so although everything seems to check out - and keys have been programmed - the car won't start.
Not sure where to go from here, frustration is building - getting more tempted to dump it - except for it being an excellent car (well.. door stop)
I have heard that I can 'reset' the ME (ECU?) and force it to resynchronize with the AAM. Mercededs will not sell us any of these parts individually since their records show all 8 keys used...
How can the units get syncronized?
I purchased (we lost the last key - and found out that the previous owner had indeed lost all the other keys - we were newbies and didn't think to ask if ' all the other keys had been used'.
I purchased a diagnostics/programming kit to reprogram keys and lo and behold - it worked as advertised so we programmed three new keys (with remotes). ONly sad thing is during the time the car has been sitting, the ECU and AAM are not synchronized - so although everything seems to check out - and keys have been programmed - the car won't start.
Not sure where to go from here, frustration is building - getting more tempted to dump it - except for it being an excellent car (well.. door stop)
I have heard that I can 'reset' the ME (ECU?) and force it to resynchronize with the AAM. Mercededs will not sell us any of these parts individually since their records show all 8 keys used...
How can the units get syncronized?
I have a 99 ml430 with 2 keys, neither of the remotes work. I was wondering if I could get some info on the diagnostic/programing kit that you purchased. I tend to do most of my own repairs and this appears to be something I could use. I am in NC.
Thx!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Denver
1999 ML430
) by the way, here is a link to another thread here with the info.https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ess-entry.html
if not resyncing with this procedure then they need to be reprogrammed - either by dealer or something like the kit I purchased.
Last edited by kmerc; Nov 4, 2013 at 11:39 PM. Reason: added link
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh
1999 ML430
The unit I purchased was from mbkeyprog.com. IT is pretty comprehensive - on the site I believe you can look at the documentation to see the screens. I purchased extra new fobs, blank/new transponders as well as some old ones for the electronics. Blades you can get pretty cheap through the dealer with the VIN. Even if you've used all 8 slots you can reprogram everything. We messed up and reset the 1st key (don't do that) which is the 'master' .. and doesn't come with the remote etc. It can also reset the fobs with new transponders to the car too. IF you have the original keys then just get new batteries and you can do a search how to reset them. I forget but it isn't that hard. I will be putting ours up on ebay soon since we no longer need it... (we have a nicely functional ml back... ) by the way, here is a link to another thread here with the info.
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ess-entry.html
if not resyncing with this procedure then they need to be reprogrammed - either by dealer or something like the kit I purchased.
) by the way, here is a link to another thread here with the info.https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ess-entry.html
if not resyncing with this procedure then they need to be reprogrammed - either by dealer or something like the kit I purchased.
Thx again for your help.
LD
Super Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 504
Likes: 7
From: Harare, Zimbabwe
2003 ML55,2007 ML63
Good luck
