tusabes

I have a 2000 s430 with one remote key. The "unlock" buttons seems to be wearing out as it has to be pressed really hard. The "lock" and "trunk" buttons still work with a light touch so I assume its not the battery in the remote?

Whats the cheapest fix? Buy a used remote from ebay? Are there programming instructions online or would I have to take it to dealer? Should I just go to dealer to get one? Anyone know the cost?

Skylaw

Get it only from the dealer, and NOT ebay. Keys are programmed for the car, and cannot be reprogrammed. The only use for an ebay key would be to replace a damaged case, transferring the electronics of your current key to the new case.

They're expensive. Somewhere around $120 each. See https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...y-today-6.html but disregard a lot of the pricing information early on - the $61 deal is no longer available. There are some other dealer sources mentioned - you can trust Benznodubs' (Vader 55's) information. Sorry to send you to such a long post with now-obsolete info, but altogether it has the most complete info.

tusabes

thanks for that thread link...from the last posts it seems the key can be rebuilt with the casing of an old ebay key and the electronics of the current key

zam2000

That's what I did with my previous car: buy a similar key from ebay, and swap the internal. Cost me $15-20, and got myself an "almost new" remote.

Else, simply go with the new style key. All depend on whether you think it's worth it.

my06clk

Actually for your issue there is no need to purchase a new key. you CAN get one of the key's they sell on EBAY and just use the inner houseing from your original key.
WHen you open these key's to replace the battery for example, the card comes out with the endpeice so if you purchase a good housing for a few dollars, you can have a new key by using your original insides.

just a hint.


OOPS.. I guess that's what the previous post said also...

LAWYER2

can you successfully add the old style guts to the new style housing??

my06clk

Hmm good question..I've actually never tried. Might be wirth the experiment to the forum if i can get mt hands on a new style housing relatlvely cheap.

I'll look into it

Bernie C

Hi I've tried the option of taking the guts out of an old style key and putting it in a new style chrome type - the innards are different and it just is not possible, hope this helps
Cheers Bernie

tusabes

so when I open the key, the whole guts come out and I can use any old replacement key on ebay with my existing guts??