LMA1973

Yep, lost my one and only key to the ML430. Called the dealer and she says i have to have my Merc towed there (how they do that when i cant get it out of Park is beyond me). So, i have to have it towed, bring my Title, registration and ID. She said they can order the key will take less than 24 hours and they program it and im good to go.

Certainly there has to be a cheaper way and a way i dont have to tow my freaking vehicle?? Please.

LMA1973

Im wondering if im the only person this has ever happened to. I dont know why the vehicle needs to be towed to MB. I should be able to program the key myself.

Benzbias

A phone call to your service advisor or sales rep with your vin and proof of ownership when you fetch the key is all that is required. For that price they should deliver! Regardless of ones net worth some prices from MB sometimes make one wonder what happened to the value equation?

LMA1973

Exactly! So if im able to score a key by doing that, will i be able to program the immobilizer myself, or is this indeed something that only the dealer can do?

Benzbias

All part of what is pre-programmed in to the key based on your VIN - prior to pick up.

LMA1973

Sweet! Shame on them for making it seem like they need to program the key after they get it. Im gonna skip the tow and just take all my documentation to the 'ship and be like order me a key.

Thanks!

MBen

Hi, lucky me I am currently under this same predicament. Were you able to convince the dealer for purchase of key without towing vehicle?
Thanks

LMA1973

I actually found my key so i never went through the ordeal to find out. The Benz place here are sticklers though...im sure they would have made me tow it.

Maj. Dundee

You can only do this one of two ways.

As you already know, have the truck towed to the dealer.

The other is the registered owner must present himself/herself at the dealer, with driver's license, registration, and title to the truck and order a new key.

The key will take approx. 3-5 days to arrive and it should be already programmed to start and drive the truck. Then you will have to bring the truck in again so they can program the Central Locking to open and close the doors using the remote.

MBen

@LMA1973 I wish I had that kind of luck. Glad you could have your key back!

Thanks Maj Dundee I believe I will try the latter as the car is more than 80 miles from the nearest dealer.
Ps I have a key which the previous owner had fried (ie RFID chip not working but remote for alarm and key does) do you think I could ask them to duplicate it or is it SOP for every dealer that I can ask for a new key to the VIN?

Thanks for all the great advice!

Maj. Dundee

You can ask a dealer for any key, as long as you have not gone over the limit of 8 keys.

Two were supplied to the original and if the other owners used up all the others, you are in for a huge bill.

MBen

Hey guys,

I'm $283 poorer but the key is on it's way! However the dealer is quoting $120 for the alarm function of the remote programming, can I do this on my own using the sequence from the instructions manual?

Thanks

Maj. Dundee

No they have to do it.

MBen

Update to the situation, apparently the previous owners had gone through 8 programming slots and I have to purchase the aam to a song of $4,600. I asked whether they could duplicate the RFID from the fried key I still have in possession and had a negative reply. Any ideas, other than scrapping the truck or swapping from the aam and keys from another junkyard truck?

Thanks

ilovemaui1

I purchased an extra key for my SL and all they needed was a copy of the registration. I also received 20% discount for being a MBUSA club member. The dealer never had to touch or even see the car. The key took a couple days to get and was programmed for my car. However, my keyless go card is toast and they say they have to have the car for an hour at $120/hour to program it. $340 for the card and another $120 for programming. I decided I could live without it for the time being.

Maj. Dundee

When you said that the key was on its way, that means that you had to present yourself at the dealer to order the new key.

That would mean that the service adviser had already checked that you were within the limit and therefore ordered the new key.

How is it now that you are over the limit? Something is wrong here. You are getting fleeced.

MBen

Yes unfortunately that is my suspicion. When I originally placed the order the rep told me that this issue might happen but that he did not have a way to check for it, and MB HQ would tell him whether or not the limit had been reached. Then delivery was appr. 3-4 days and kept pushing back delivery date, after 3 weeks they called me and told me about the situation, because that originally thought it was back ordered.

Maj. Dundee

This is very hard to believe. Every rep. has a computer in front of him and he gain gain that information on your vehicle from what is called a VMI report. VMI is Vehicle Master Inquiry and it can tell you everything that was done to your vehicle by every dealer in the country.

MBen

Ok, I'll stop by the dealer to ask for the keys refund and inquire about the VMI. Could they delete the program slot for the key (damaged rfid) that I still have in my possession and order one to replace it?

Thanks guys for your responses.

Maj. Dundee

Sure you could, but if they are in a thieving mood, it's not going to happen.

beartracker21

Hi guys. I am new to this forum but have been going through these key issues with my 98 ml320, and believe it or not I was able to go to an independent locksmith who has the hardware and software to make replacement keys. The problem was we only had one valet key, and all 8 aam slots were used up. He pulled the aam and a couple other parts from one that was being parted out, installed them in my car and suddenly I have the two chip keys that were with the car being parted out (he put the chips into after market keys he carries), and two more flip keys he made himself. He has made quite a few keys for dealers in our area who get a used car with only one key. I don't know where all you guys are, but this lock smith is in So Cal, but it he is doing this here there may be some in your neck of the woods...

MBen

Hi beartracker,

I am located in Puerto Rico. I'm currently looking for parted out MLs in junkyards and was thinking along he lines of an indie mechanic. I had not given any thought of finding a locksmith that could do the job. I'll add that to my list of options and keep you posted.

Great advice guys

Benzbias

There is a guy in Toronto, Canada who can create replacement keys but first he must electronically connect his "black box" to the vehicle to obtain the correct codes. McNally Motors has the contact info on this guy.

MBen

Sounds good, today I got quoted $750 for a used key set with AAM and instrument cluster. I haven't gotten a quote for labor yet. I know it is way better than the dealership but is this a good price based on what they charge?

Thanks

Benzbias

Probably worth a call to Charlie McNally in Canada to get insight that might save a few $$$
1 416 398 6799