Can anyone tell me if there is a way to pair a fob to the car if I buy one on ebay or someplace. Dealer says only new fob ordered from MB via VIN# will work. Is this so?

 

Dealers don't order keys that are VIN specific. They get OEM unprogrammed keys....and program them through a key coder at the dealership. Technically, pretty much any key that has the same part number can be deprogrammed, then reprogrammed to work with your car.

 

you are 100% wrong Dave why would you even post that if you have no clue? Platt do not buy ebay keys. Dealers do not have the ability to reprogram or program blank keys unless they are DAS4 keys which your vehicle does not have. Your eBay key will be a paperweight. Keys are programmed in Texas at their coding facility and mailed to the dealer.

 

That's interesting. My local dealer says that they can program keys with their key coder. Never mentioned anything about sending them to Texas.


Check this out:

 

No dealers can't program. Happens in Texas. I am an expert when my s430 key died. Car sat in front of a friends house for two days until key from Texas could come.

 

Dealers can program a key to the car locally. I was told by my dealer that they cannot get a key shipped pre-programmed and it had to be programmed at the dealership. I had to purchase a key back in May 2014 and the process was as follows: The dealer takes the VIN information from the vehicle and orders the key at a cost of $465 Keyless Go and around $350 or so non-Keyless Go. When the key arrives at the dealership, the customer has to provide proof of ownership by supplying the vehicle registration and driver's license to the dealership parts specialist. The dealer then takes the car in the service department and programs the key. That was my experience.

 

I believe the dealer took your car to the service department to program your car to recognize the key.

 

Here was my procedure: My key broke and the car was stranded. I went with my reg and ordered a new key. They told me it would be set to my car from Texas and when it came in I picked it up and drove to where my car was. I put the key in and on the screen it said programming key. Then the car started and that was it.

 

What dealer is that?

The keyless go functionality some times requires programming, but the initial programming comes from the factory in Texas. The key would turn on the car and most likely work , some cars require additional programming usually older ones for the keyless go function to work.

Another thing to consider is that MBs key policy requires the vehicle to be at the dealer and it's a lot easier to tell the customer to tow their car because it needs to be programmed rather than tell them they want to look at the car. Also why do you think they need the vin and why do they have to order it? If it was blank they would have stocked them.

 

I can only go by what I was told at the dealership which is what led to my comment. My assumption for not stocking keys is supply and demand. Even though there are many MB owners, there may not be a lot of people needing new keys, therefore, it's not economical to stock them at their cost per unit. It's similar to a lot of other things they have to order. My dealer had to order everything I've purchased and some of the items could be considered common items like a key and some much cheaper but not in stock. They don't even stock standard MB floor mats which are a very common item in certain colors but they don't stock any. My experience wouldn't automatically lead me to assume the keys are programmed somewhere else then sent to the dealer. Not saying that isn't what happened but I was told they had to program the key with my vehicle present and it would take a service appointment after the key arrived. I'm sure having the vehicle present is a MB liability procedure, but I specifically asked if I could come pick the key up, have VIN verified, and drive off and I was told no, because the key would not work and I must have a service appointment scheduled simultaneously.

 

The key is programmed in Texas to the car. Period. I have done much research, spoke with MB themselves, I have verified that, and experienced it first hand. As for programming at the dealer. They told me "My car may need to be programmed by them" but it wasn't. I am sure some older cars may need it, but my 2000 S430 accepted the key directly from Texas, and worked great. I have not needed a key for my newer S's, but I am sure it's the same.

 

As I said before, I'm not disputing what has been said. If you all feel so strongly that what you believe to be correct is true then I have no qualms over it.
I will say that I don't have an older car, I have a 2011 S63, replaced a key in 2014, and the dealer still had to take the car to the service department once the key arrived so I know for a fact, this procedure isn't just performed on older cars nor does it mean that all 2000+ cars are exempt because my car is several years older than a 2000 and required this procedure. The point is, I offered a different point of view because too often people give advice on these boards with certainty rather than just tell the OP in their experience this is what happened. There are several opposing scenarios and there are several times when MBUSA tells a different story depending on what representative you get so their word isn't gospel either. There are varying situations out there such as in my case and I would never present my own experience as the only way and the right answer.

 

Per MB, for the 2010+ cars the keys are pre-programmed either in Germany or at the Texas facility, once the replacement key arrives, it is synchronized with the car. See attached file, page 2. I would not buy a key on ebay for the newer cars in North Am.

However, if you and your car are in the U.K., then you might try this firm. http://www.replacementmercedeskeys.co.uk/

Also if you lose a key, the dealer will order a replacement key, and synchronize the new key with your car and resynchronize your spare key with the car. So if your old key is found it will not work with the car. Think of it this way, when you lose a garage door opener, you should resynchronize the remaining openers and synchronize the replacement one with the opener motors in the garage - very similar process. So you really need to tell the dealer whether your key stopped worked or you lost it.

Now in the earlier cars, apparently you could just point the key at the mirror, press the unlock button twice, within 30 seconds, insert the key into the ignition slot, turn to the on position and the car will synch/re-synch the key. Also one could just leave the key in the ignition for sometime (1 - 2 hours), and the car would automatically synch that key.

I searched the web and I also found this to provide additional information to clarify the discussion.

"EIS Stands For Electronic Ignition Switch. The hardware is the switch into which the key is inserted but the key is not a key in the traditional sense, it is more like a plastic Lego brick which fits into the socket in the dash board. The key has a sequential code which rolls on each time it is used so that the car cannot be stolen. every time the key is inserted the EIS, EIS checks the key and then asks the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL). If it is happy with this key if ESL is OK it then asks engine ECU if it agrees that this is the authorized key. Only if all three control units agree that it is the correct autherised key is the turn and start function allowed."

I hope this helps clarify the discussion.

 

Thanks for the great response. I still wonder why they even bother to sell them on ebay etc. for 20 to 150.00 when there seems to be no way to use one after you would buy it..
Gary

 

Thanks for the detailed post and clarification.

 

If you have a worn or broken case, you can use the shell. Remove the circuit board from the ebay key and transplant yours. Many times this is a better and cheaper alternative to the Chinese aftermarket shells as you are getting a genuine case.

Now that we are all on the same page about dealers programming keys, the synch process is very simple. Dealer places key in EIS, makes sure EIS recognizes key and it completes the handshake with other systems like DAS, keyless go etc. That's it. If the key is not recognized or does not complete synch process there is nothing the dealer can do but order another key after making sure EIS is functional.

 

You are welcome, no problem. If you get the correct key, you may be able to convince them to send it to the programming location, but the cost might be prohibitive.

 

[QUOTE=Larry1979;6299464]Thanks for the detailed post and clarification.[/QUOTE
You are welcome, I was hoping it would help.

 

Yep

 

Pretty much this.

Blanks are very hard to come by and none of the eBay keys are blanks. So yeah- paperweight sounds about right. If your key's buttons are messed up you can get an eBay one (that looks identical to yours) and you can swap internals, by that is about it.

Now, there are ways to re- program keys but let's not go there

 

I recently purchased a certified 2014 E350, but there was only one key. The dealer ordered a replacement key. When I went to pick it up I noted that the packaging included my VIN number and other identifying information.

The problem is getting the stupid thing to work. I've read every forum entry I can find, have spoken with 3 "service experts" at the dealer and at a complete loss as to how to proceed.

Have tried leaving key in EIS overhight (rotating code), have tried inserting in EIS, holding lock, removing and pressing unlock 5 times while still holding the lock button and cannot get it to work.

Dealer has told me: 1) Just use it; it's ready to go from Texas, 2) Must make a service appointment to program key.

Does anyone have first hand experience with this. Don't want to waste another trip to dealer (like I did trying to get mBrace to work).

Thanks in advance.

 

Did you or dealer try the key before leaving when you picked it up? Dealer should have checked the key before allowing you to leave, unfortunately another trip to dealer is only way to remedy this.

 

+1

 

Your keys come from Texas??? I asked a dealership here in Canada for an extra key as I only got 1 with my car. They told me I have to provide the ownership to order the key which comes from GERMANY!!! It takes 2 - 3 weeks for the key to come and then they have to program the key for a total amount of $700 CAD. I don't know if this process is different because I have an S63.