Hey guys, long time no see, I opened up a new business, and anyone who has ever done so knows just exactly how much work that is. I have been working 7 days a week since I was on here last. Anyway, today we had a family meeting at my mom's house and I pulled up and parked on the street. She lives on the hill here in Burbank, so I parked with the wheels at lock to the curb. Got out, took care of business.

When I came back the key unlocked the car fine, but when I stick it in the ignition, nothing happens and it won't turn. I know the batteries aren't associated with that part of the key but I went down and bought new ones anyway, as I took the key apart and inspected it. The key has been pretty thrashed. The lens on the IR that goes in the ignition was busted long ago before I bought the car, but it still worked fine. Until today. Unfortunately I don't have a spare. I do, but not for this car, and half the people say I can program it and half say no. Anyway, my one MB mechanic buddy who does this for a living thinks it's the EIS. Says it's not that bad of a job, doesn't know off his head what it cost. I am hoping it's the key. The key worked to unlock the car and lock it even after this happened, however I wasn't paying attention and set off the alarm and it seems like after that the key no longer locks or unlocks the car. The strange thing is, I thought I could hear the trunk lock when I pressed it from the inside of the car, and if I try the lock button on the dash which was working fine it won't lock the car either, just unlock. I think it may have to do with the alarm going off possibly, because it didn't start until I started messing with it, however I unplugged the battery of the car twice, and it's still exactly the same.

So.. I am at a loss here. I can't tow the car, the wheels are locked to one side and it's on a hill in P. This seems like a really pathetic break down. I am spending all of my money on getting my new business going so I really can't afford to go buy a key if it's not that.. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do? I tried searching, but I am going to try it again now.

Thanks guys!!

 

have you checked battery voltage

 

No, but the lights work fine, the radio, etc. is absolutely fine.

 

As Ive said hundreds of times in this forum, you probably have a weak battery, not weak enough to look dead, but weak enough to cause problems'

w220 are different than any other car with a weak battery because there can be enough power for the battery to "test good", but in reality its too weak for the cars complex electronics to operate correctly. The fact you get power to radio etc doesnt mean the battery isnt too weak

get a known strong battery and try it

 

Well this battery is brand new. Bought it less than a year ago. Also when the alarm went off the HID lights were flashing pretty bright.. Could this still mean battery?

 

Again, batteries that "test good" are often still too weak for a w220 to operate properly. We have seen countless posts of people refusing to believe its their battery because they are used to the sign of weak batteries being unable to power a car. Thats not the case on w220.

If its only a year old it should take a recharge, so Remove the battery, charge it properly, and reinstall. If you dont have a battery charger any garage/mechanic can do it for $10 or so. again, dont let a mechanic test it and tell you "its good". Insist on a recharge. w220 batteries can test good on a tester but still be too weak to operate the car

You also might try jiggling the shifter a bit *(not too hard, you dont want to damage the fragile plastic piece that leaves so many S Classes stuck in park). The shifter may not think its in park, preventing the key from turning.

 

Thanks tusabes, I have tried wiggling the shifter, not too hard, but not gentle either.. mine has been fixed, just not sure if they replaced it with plastic or metal.. Anyway, I am sorry to keep asking, I will do what you said about the battery, but the gauge cluster, HID's, navi, sub, amp everything are running fine. Could all that be working great, and there is still not enough power for the key? I will take your word on it, you obviously know more, but I would think the cluster, or something else would also not work, I very well may be wrong..

Also, my key no longer locks and unlocks the car, however the button on the dash only unlocks too.

 

Are all your doors fully shut? Open and slam all 4 doors. That's why it's not locking maybe.

Disconnect the battery for 24 hours and put in back on. What's your battery voltage? The key isn't supposed to turn if there is not enough Juice.

 

Thats what I keep trying to say, people refuse to believe their w220 battery is bad because all those things still power on,,,,

Charging the battery is the cheapest and last thing to try thats going to get you out of there without a tow to the dealer.

If its not the battery, your key or EIS is likely the issue. and a key requires trip to the dealer these days, most wont even make you a key if you bring in just the registration they want both the registration and the car present due to theft rings.

 

Well, tusabes you may very well be right about the battery, I mean, I know your right, but in my case.. I just bought the new key, it will be here tomorrow at 10am. My key was busted where the IR goes.. the lens of the housing.. the key looked ok and worked like that for a while, but I dropped it so many times, and after cleaning the IR with a little alcohol it still didnt work, but now the remote doesn't work the doors either.. unlock or lock. I think the not locking by the dash and the key not working is because I set the alarm off twice.. after the second time it wouldn't let the key work or the switch.. only thing that arms it is the manual key.. I am guessing once the car is started that would reset and work again..

 

My key lens is busted too and works fine

 

Well mine was busted and worked for a long time, but I just got my new key and everything is fine.. started right up. Been treating this new key like gold, going to keep it separate from my other keys, so I put it in my left pocket by itself to keep it nice and walking thru the parking lot my leg hits a parked cars steel bumper right on the new key.. DOH! lol, well the first one lasted 12 years.. I guess this one will be fine for the life of the car as long as I treat it good.

 

a side note to whoever keeps dropping their keys get this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Ben...ee298c&vxp=mtr

i used to drop my key alot then i got this and everytime i drop it i dont worry about it. coz its safe and they come in different colors and styles

 

That looks great, and I want one, but I cant use that particular one. My new key is the same key they use on the new cars, so it's got chrome on both sides and the key chain hole is a little different. Maybe that doesn't matter and it will still fit.. but I'd like to know for sure before I bought it..

 

what i showed you wont fit

this one will fit your new chrome key
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Ben...afee7d&vxp=mtr
check other styles before you buy

 

Thanks!! Will get one ASAP