key fob issue
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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2001 s500
key fob issue
hi, have a 2001 s500…. got a new key a few years ago and the key is not turning to turn the ignition on… the key opens the door but won't turn once placed into key insert….
how many keys max are you allowed to have and apporx how much for new key at stealer ?
how many keys max are you allowed to have and apporx how much for new key at stealer ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Not clear what the problem is from the description...
Did the key fob work, and then stop working, or did it never work? Do you have another key fob that works correctly?
Did the key fob work, and then stop working, or did it never work? Do you have another key fob that works correctly?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
2001 s500
2001 s500 key fob issue
sorry... i have two keys...one works fine, the one in question opens the door but when you put in into the key/ign. slot and try to turn it; it doesn't turn/won't turn... it's is not recognizing the ID chip for some reason... this is actually a newer key i bought about 5 yrs ago from the dealer.... older key with cracked plastic still works well....
jR
jR
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
You also might try changing the batteries. If I remember correctly, it takes two 2025 batteries, available at many stores.
Did that fob originally work, and just recently stop working?
Did that fob originally work, and just recently stop working?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
wallyp - lack of batteries shouldn't affect the ignition security feature. it should
operate even without batteries. you may recall that MB used to offer flat key
as a spare which reasonably fits into a wallet. it contains passive electronics
and no battery.
operate even without batteries. you may recall that MB used to offer flat key
as a spare which reasonably fits into a wallet. it contains passive electronics
and no battery.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 470
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From: Houston, TX
2017 S63
The MB key uses an inductive coil inside the ignition switch to a coil inside the key and it gets its power from the ignition switch. Thats why you can start the car with no batteries. If your key will not turn but the other key does then its more likely a failed key that will need to be replaced. 2000 models can have up to 8 keys at least. 2003 cars can I know for sure have up to 24 keys before you have to swap out the entire system.
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Junior Member
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S500 4matic
i have a 2003 mercedes S500, today i tried unlocking my door with my key fob, but never worked. i used the metalic key to open door, when i put the fob key into ignition , it didn't work . the fob light never lit up, when pressing on its buttons . the front console system was working. even though the batteries where fairly new, i changed them to brand new batteries , and again fob key didn't work and red light never turned on. also, last time i used key fob was 2 days ego , and there was a huge rain storm here in new york , maybe it got wet, there is a small hole in the fob key casing, but its been there for a long time, with no issues . what can i do ???
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Mortgagemagic you never mentioned if you were able to start your car by inserting the key in the ignition. Did the car start with the Key?
If not, was your car parked outside when the rain storm occurred? If so, the first thing you might want to do is check the plastic vent on the passenger side of the hood by the windshield wipers to make sure it is clear of any kind of debris. There have been numerous reports of flooding on this forum because of the drains getting clogged causing water to back up into the electronics and creating a myriad of problems.
If not, was your car parked outside when the rain storm occurred? If so, the first thing you might want to do is check the plastic vent on the passenger side of the hood by the windshield wipers to make sure it is clear of any kind of debris. There have been numerous reports of flooding on this forum because of the drains getting clogged causing water to back up into the electronics and creating a myriad of problems.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 33
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S500 4matic
key fob problem
i tried to start it, but the key fob wouldn't turn in the ignition .
but maybe i didn't wait long enough , in ignition, before turning .
but the key fob red light doesnt go on, even with brand new batteries.
i will try to go to my car soon again , and try to start it again .
will let you know. but the console, music , inside locks , ALL WORK.
so what other options , can it be ???
but maybe i didn't wait long enough , in ignition, before turning .
but the key fob red light doesnt go on, even with brand new batteries.
i will try to go to my car soon again , and try to start it again .
will let you know. but the console, music , inside locks , ALL WORK.
so what other options , can it be ???
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Suburb of Kansas City
2001 S600
I had something similar this morning.
I have a 2001 s600. I unlocked the car with the fob, put the key in and turned it and everything came on in the car except the motor didn't turn over. I did this twice.
I used my finger and rubbed the bottom of the key, still nothing again, then I rubbed the ignition in the dash where the key inserts and then the card started when I put the key in and turned it on.
I then turned it off, took the key out and waited 10 seconds and restarted it again and it worked.
I'm just curious if I should be worried if the car won't start one day and if it's the ignition in the dash or if it's a key but I'm thinking ignition in the dash.
I only have 1 key to the car and I'm debating on getting a 2nd. Can I use star diagnostics and program a key off ebay to my car?
I have a 2001 s600. I unlocked the car with the fob, put the key in and turned it and everything came on in the car except the motor didn't turn over. I did this twice.
I used my finger and rubbed the bottom of the key, still nothing again, then I rubbed the ignition in the dash where the key inserts and then the card started when I put the key in and turned it on.
I then turned it off, took the key out and waited 10 seconds and restarted it again and it worked.
I'm just curious if I should be worried if the car won't start one day and if it's the ignition in the dash or if it's a key but I'm thinking ignition in the dash.
I only have 1 key to the car and I'm debating on getting a 2nd. Can I use star diagnostics and program a key off ebay to my car?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 53
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From: Suburb of Kansas City
2001 S600
My keyfob doesn't have an led.
But it only worked after I had ran my finger across the ignition in the dash. I'm not even sure what the valet key is for except for opening the trunk in case of a dead battery. I don't see how it could even start the car.
But it only worked after I had ran my finger across the ignition in the dash. I'm not even sure what the valet key is for except for opening the trunk in case of a dead battery. I don't see how it could even start the car.
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S500 4matic
but my key fob, doesn't even open or close my doors . i can only get access through the metalic key. but everything inside car works, including lights. i spoke to mercedes expert in miami, and he agreed , that based on my issues, it most likely is my key fob went bad.
also today i realized that i wasn't using a recomended battery 2025 but the 2032, both are 3V but the other is a little thicker and worked for about a year, plus the rain storm must have got the key fob wet ( there is a small hole, by the close button ). i'm sure it can be fixed by some electronics specialist, but i dont know anyone like that, so after countless internet searches, talking to many people, i'm resigned to having to buy a new one . no one in america wants to fix anything, just replace it with new ones and overcharge everyone. soooooooooo sad , but what can you do ???
also today i realized that i wasn't using a recomended battery 2025 but the 2032, both are 3V but the other is a little thicker and worked for about a year, plus the rain storm must have got the key fob wet ( there is a small hole, by the close button ). i'm sure it can be fixed by some electronics specialist, but i dont know anyone like that, so after countless internet searches, talking to many people, i'm resigned to having to buy a new one . no one in america wants to fix anything, just replace it with new ones and overcharge everyone. soooooooooo sad , but what can you do ???
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Mortgagemagic, you can only buy a "legitimate" key from the dealer. They will need your VIN number and probably a copy of your vehicle registration to make sure you are the proper owner. You might want to give your dealer a call before going to make sure you have the proper documents upon arrival.
@ LTe the valet key will start your car. It is used just as stated so that the valet or parking attendant can't open your glove box or trunk.
@ LTe the valet key will start your car. It is used just as stated so that the valet or parking attendant can't open your glove box or trunk.
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S500 4matic
all this i know. i spent over 10 hours of research between yesterday and today, to get as much information as possible. i even called about 10 private mercedes repair specialists and locksmiths specializing in fob key making and i realized that i'm damned if do and damned if i dont. i already had diagnosed my problem as my key fob is defective and nothing else. but when i called my local MB dealer , besides all the required paperwork and documents + $250 for new programed key fob , they wanted me to bring the car , for them to diagnose . i kept telling them that was uneccessary , as its only the key issue , and that i would need to hire ( and pay for ) a tow truck service , they didnt care. they just wanted to try to charge me EXTRA $140 per hour , as a legalized form of a rip off. i repeatedly told them , that i will take the responsability , for the fob key, as long it maches my VIN # and that about 6 years ego, i had already bought another mercedes fob key ( which i lost about a year ego ), without showing my car, and their response was that MB policy changed 2 years ego. yet they offered to deliver me the key fob ,for you guessed it, an additional charge of $145. WOW , you would think a reputable company like MB would be more reputable , then just try to figure out how to get into your wallet, no matter what
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S500 4matic
hopefuly luckily , for me, i have a friend who owns a used car dealership in upstate NY, and he deals with his local MB dealer and has a good relationship, and he had spoken to them, on my behalf, and that MB dealership stated to him, that they didn't need my car to issue a new key fob . so i forwarded all my paperwork to him, and he is supposed to go there tomorrow morning and hopefully it will be resolved then and there .
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Mercedes
There was a honest dealer selling keys for $125 if you simply faxed your registration but I lost the name - may have been before the policy change 2 years ago
Mortgage magic - have you tried charging your cars battery ? A weak car battery will still let some electronics operate in the car , but not enough juice to start the car. I'd try that before buying a key you might not need
Mortgage magic - have you tried charging your cars battery ? A weak car battery will still let some electronics operate in the car , but not enough juice to start the car. I'd try that before buying a key you might not need
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S500 4matic
i did a lot of research, on this problem , and even spoke to a friend of mine , who runs a mercedes shop in miami beach, and given the basic symptom that even after changing the batteries, in my key fob twice, the light still wasnt working , and when i manualy opened my front doors all the lights in side worked as well as the console / radio was working too,
so the bad key, was the only option. i already ordered it, through another friend, wo is a car dealer upstate new york, and supposed to get it express shipped to me tomorrow. so i will know 100% by tomorrow. btw. the dealers price is $220 now, so you cant get it cheaper, unless some guy has access to mercedes key fob codes and can program it,
i found 2 guys like that , but they wanted even more money , and it didn't make any sense .
so the bad key, was the only option. i already ordered it, through another friend, wo is a car dealer upstate new york, and supposed to get it express shipped to me tomorrow. so i will know 100% by tomorrow. btw. the dealers price is $220 now, so you cant get it cheaper, unless some guy has access to mercedes key fob codes and can program it,
i found 2 guys like that , but they wanted even more money , and it didn't make any sense .
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S500 4matic
just got the new key fob, and tested both the fob and metal / skeleton key, and both work. doors open and ignition starts . but there is a small problem.
the metal key doesn't fit into the fob !!! anyone had this problem before ???
can anyone help / advise ???
note : both keys open door,, but dont fit
the metal key doesn't fit into the fob !!! anyone had this problem before ???
can anyone help / advise ???
note : both keys open door,, but dont fit
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
You're a bit unclear as to which key fob you ordered. Did you get the all black, old-style fob, or the new one with chrome sides? The metal keys are shaped differently between the two. A metal key for one may not fit the other, even if both open the doors.
Junior Member
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S500 4matic
i didn't ask for any particular one,, but i got the new chrome one.
but the metalic key just doesn't fit the fob, even though they came togather .
the previous one, was the all black one.
maybe MB dealer mismatched the key pairs ???
but the metalic key just doesn't fit the fob, even though they came togather .
the previous one, was the all black one.
maybe MB dealer mismatched the key pairs ???
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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S500 4matic
well i just checked , on some other threads here, that the metalic key should be a match for my chrome key fob, bit it DOESN'T !!! as the metalic wont fit into the key fob. can anyone advise ???
note: i checked, and both the key fob and metalic keys work , on my car
note: i checked, and both the key fob and metalic keys work , on my car
