Keyless GO antenna location?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
Keyless GO antenna location?
I installed a front and rear dashcam and am now getting "Key Not Detected" in the instrument cluster on occasion (every 15-30 mins or so) while driving the car.
The rear dashcam is powered from the front. One cable goes to the rear which carries power to the camera and the signal back to the front cam.
I suspect the power signal in this cable is running right past an antenna, and blocking its ability to detect my key in the car. Tried swapping keys, etc and no change. As soon as I unplug the rear cam from the front one (at the front of the car) it is all perfect again.
Anyone know where the keyless antenna is located?
Cable runs across the front left windshield at the top (suspect this isn't the problem)
Then along the top edge of both doors behind the weatherstrip seal (can't see why there would be an antenna here)
Then behind the hatch trim and along side the existing wiring loom into the hatch (this could potentially be an antenna location??)
Once inside the hatch, the excess is coiled up and goes to the cam (maybe I have it coiled right on top of an antenna....)
I know what the antenna looks like, but don't know where it is located. I'd like to move my wiring 12" away from any Keyless antennas or related wiring, and see if that fixes it.
If I had a module number for the antenna (ie. "N62/2") I have access to StarFinder and can look it up..
Anyone know the module # or location??
The rear dashcam is powered from the front. One cable goes to the rear which carries power to the camera and the signal back to the front cam.
I suspect the power signal in this cable is running right past an antenna, and blocking its ability to detect my key in the car. Tried swapping keys, etc and no change. As soon as I unplug the rear cam from the front one (at the front of the car) it is all perfect again.
Anyone know where the keyless antenna is located?
Cable runs across the front left windshield at the top (suspect this isn't the problem)
Then along the top edge of both doors behind the weatherstrip seal (can't see why there would be an antenna here)
Then behind the hatch trim and along side the existing wiring loom into the hatch (this could potentially be an antenna location??)
Once inside the hatch, the excess is coiled up and goes to the cam (maybe I have it coiled right on top of an antenna....)
I know what the antenna looks like, but don't know where it is located. I'd like to move my wiring 12" away from any Keyless antennas or related wiring, and see if that fixes it.
If I had a module number for the antenna (ie. "N62/2") I have access to StarFinder and can look it up..
Anyone know the module # or location??
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 4,574
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Please update your profile with your vehicle. What is your VIN? There are changes over the years.
For a W166 GLE, there are 4 or 5 antennae, it's a little hard to tell. One in each rear door A2/39 and A2/41, one in the center console A2/61, and one in the rear load floor A2/35. The antenna in question for me is whether or not an antenna is installed under the rear seat, near the KEYLESS GO control module N69/5.
The rear load floor needs removed, then the front trunk floor panel needs removed and A2/35 should be visible. I would not rule out interference from your power cable at any of the other antenna locations, especially rear doors and rear seat area.
N69/5 is the KEYLESS GO module, located under the rear seats.
The antenna layout has been discussed on this site across several vehicle models. Please try the search button.
For a W166 GLE, there are 4 or 5 antennae, it's a little hard to tell. One in each rear door A2/39 and A2/41, one in the center console A2/61, and one in the rear load floor A2/35. The antenna in question for me is whether or not an antenna is installed under the rear seat, near the KEYLESS GO control module N69/5.
The rear load floor needs removed, then the front trunk floor panel needs removed and A2/35 should be visible. I would not rule out interference from your power cable at any of the other antenna locations, especially rear doors and rear seat area.
N69/5 is the KEYLESS GO module, located under the rear seats.
The antenna layout has been discussed on this site across several vehicle models. Please try the search button.
Last edited by chassis; Mar 15, 2020 at 12:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
Hmm. very weird indeed if those are the locations. My cable runs along the roofline from front to the hatch, then goes inside the hatch.
So it doesn't go near the doors, console or trunk floor
I'm starting to suspect the coil of a few feet of extra cable inside the hatch is enough to cause it. It must be interfering with the signal to the trunk floor when it's closed or something. There is just too much distance from the cable to any of the locations you mentioned for it to have any effect!
So it doesn't go near the doors, console or trunk floor
I'm starting to suspect the coil of a few feet of extra cable inside the hatch is enough to cause it. It must be interfering with the signal to the trunk floor when it's closed or something. There is just too much distance from the cable to any of the locations you mentioned for it to have any effect!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
Almost completely random. Every so often while the car is running it will pop up with the error.
I suspect the Keyless GO system checks ("pings") the key every x minutes and sees if the key is in the car. For example, if my wife gets out with the key in her purse in our older GL (W164) it will pop up a similar message, letting me know that the key is gone.
As soon as I unplug the rear cable for the dashcam, everything works fine. The front camera is still powered and working.
So it is obviously the rear power cable. Started immediately the day I installed the rear dash cam. Had the front one installed for a month before that without issue.
The only other thing I can think of is trial and error. Start at the back and remove the hatch panel, pull the wiring all out and drive around for 30 mins. If i still get the error, reassemble and move onward (above 3rd row window glass, then back door, then front door, etc....)
I suspect the Keyless GO system checks ("pings") the key every x minutes and sees if the key is in the car. For example, if my wife gets out with the key in her purse in our older GL (W164) it will pop up a similar message, letting me know that the key is gone.
As soon as I unplug the rear cable for the dashcam, everything works fine. The front camera is still powered and working.
So it is obviously the rear power cable. Started immediately the day I installed the rear dash cam. Had the front one installed for a month before that without issue.
The only other thing I can think of is trial and error. Start at the back and remove the hatch panel, pull the wiring all out and drive around for 30 mins. If i still get the error, reassemble and move onward (above 3rd row window glass, then back door, then front door, etc....)
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 4,574
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Where are you standing/sitting when the error pops up? Where does the error "pop up"?
Try starting the engine, and put the key in the center of the seating surface of each of the four primary seats. What is the result in each seating position?
Driver:
Front passenger:
Left rear passenger:
Right rear passenger:
Try starting the engine, and put the key in the center of the seating surface of each of the four primary seats. What is the result in each seating position?
Driver:
Front passenger:
Left rear passenger:
Right rear passenger:
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 4,574
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I just did an experiment. Driving around (gym, groceries), I placed the key fob in four positions:
1. Driver's seat (as usual)
2. Front passenger's seat
3. Right rear passenger's seat
4. Cargo/trunk area
In each case, I was able to start the engine and drive without a "key not detected" message. I suggest you conduct a similar test, and diagnose which condition your key is not detected.
My opinion is that your front of vehicle power feed is the issue, relative to the front console antenna. Does the error message occur when no cameras are displaying an image (not activated)?
You need to follow a step by step diagnostic procedure.
1. Driver's seat (as usual)
2. Front passenger's seat
3. Right rear passenger's seat
4. Cargo/trunk area
In each case, I was able to start the engine and drive without a "key not detected" message. I suggest you conduct a similar test, and diagnose which condition your key is not detected.
My opinion is that your front of vehicle power feed is the issue, relative to the front console antenna. Does the error message occur when no cameras are displaying an image (not activated)?
You need to follow a step by step diagnostic procedure.
Last edited by chassis; Mar 15, 2020 at 05:58 PM.
