Killed the 98 ML Key Fob with Jump Starting!
11-23-2008, 06:33 AM
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Killed the 98 ML Key Fob with Jump Starting!
Heads up to 163 and maybe others who are jump starting a ML – the battery on the ’98 ML packed up (exactly 6 years to the month for the 2nd OEM battery). I was able to get the car started with the portable power pack, and made it over to the local gas station where it refused to restart. When I tried to jump start it at the local gas station (thanks to the ML55 owner who tried to assist), the engine fired, then died. Tried a few more times and the same thing – would fire, and run for 2 seconds – no throttle response.
Installed a new OEM battery, and the engine would fire, run for 2 seconds and die – no throttle response and it seemed like a fuel delivery problem. After searching the posts without success save for a suggestion to “reset the adaptive throttle” – tried that and still no throttle response. Called MB Roadside Assistance and Mike the service tech advised that the Key Fob was fried and I would have to order the replacement from Germany. Fortunately I had the spare key along and sure enough, as soon as I used that one the engine started and ran fine.
So the long and the short – be very careful when jump starting the car. I think I might have left the key in the ignition on ONE of the attempts to jump start the stalled car, and perhaps that caused a voltage spike that killed the remote key fob. Strange thing is that I can still use it to lock, unlock the car – it’s just that the “key” in the ignition will not keep the car running. The other key works fine.
Anybody ever figure out a way to REPAIR the damaged key fob and restore it for use?
Installed a new OEM battery, and the engine would fire, run for 2 seconds and die – no throttle response and it seemed like a fuel delivery problem. After searching the posts without success save for a suggestion to “reset the adaptive throttle” – tried that and still no throttle response. Called MB Roadside Assistance and Mike the service tech advised that the Key Fob was fried and I would have to order the replacement from Germany. Fortunately I had the spare key along and sure enough, as soon as I used that one the engine started and ran fine.
So the long and the short – be very careful when jump starting the car. I think I might have left the key in the ignition on ONE of the attempts to jump start the stalled car, and perhaps that caused a voltage spike that killed the remote key fob. Strange thing is that I can still use it to lock, unlock the car – it’s just that the “key” in the ignition will not keep the car running. The other key works fine.
Anybody ever figure out a way to REPAIR the damaged key fob and restore it for use?
