I am looking at a 2007 S600 which has keyless go but does not have the push button start. I see you can buy the button for about $30, is it just a matter of putting it in there?

I assume someone removed the button somwhere along the way and did not replace it.

 

Just pop it in like a key and you're done.

 

That was a joke, don't try that. I'm pretty sure it's more complicated and more expensive than is worth it.

 

I've yet to see a car with Keyless Go that didn't have pushbutton start. If it truly has it (key in pocket, unlock the door by touching the handle), then it would be as simple as ordering a new start button and snapping it in place.

 

Ok yes if his car does have Keyless Go then yes good chance he does have push to start and is just missing the button. I missed the part at first where he says he does have Keyless Go.

 

You can usually find them on eBay, around $10 or so.

 

UK don't like to insure these, they mostly insist a modern and effective aftermarket immobiliser is fitted in conjunction with the original keyless go

and most of the door lock modules fail as well, oddly with many only noticing when other jump in and the car hasn't been locking various doors for years

 

It has the correct door handles and according to the VIN it has keyless go. I have not verified that it actually still works.

 

I usually leave my key inside the center console and rarely take it out of the car so locking and unlocking is not really a concern. I don't think I would have noticed if the door lock module failed. That is why I want to add the pushbutton start, it was so easy with my late S65 to just jump in hit the button and go. If I need to insert the key then I need to root around and find it.

 

I actually wanted keyless start …..

most cars that get stolen are because they can unlock the doors climb in - then get it started... if you have ONLY keyless start - rather than keyless door locking (and start) - most of the modern theft by re transmission of key data in someone's home doesn't happen....

There must be a missing wiring loom, a missing module and then the missing push button element (that fits in a normal key slot of the std switch). None of which in itself sounds insurmountable... the difficulty could be the software and whether its all integrated in the rest of the keyless go, with multiple antennas, all new door and trunk handles, plus wiring looms and headaches....

 

When I had my S65 I was not worried about my car being stolen and since I left it unlocked with the key inside the vehicle, there was no way they can steal my key data unless they go in my car and get my key out of it ... and if they do that they might as well just take the car then and there and leave.

I live in Alabama and it is not common for a parked car to be stolen. It is risky for the thief, both because you might get shot by the owner while trying to steal the car, and then you might get shot again by the police if they catch you in it after it is reported stolen. Car jacking is more common and that is usually someone pointing a gun at you and telling you to get out and leave your wallet/purse, but that is still not very common.

In the unlikely event my car is stolen I have insurance.

 

Oh yeah, most of us aren't really worried about it. I haven't really heard of this type of theft in the US, seems to be an overseas type thing. Plus I wouldn't actually mind if mine were stolen, it's about time for a new one but can't bring myself to get rid of one of them. Plus prices are crazy right now and pickings are slim.

And as others said, that's what insurance is for. I believe you could always disable keyless go by taking the door handle off and disconnecting the wire. Then the lock/unlock function won't work on the door handle at all. Supposed to be a 15 minute job. What other people do is get a faraday cage to put their keys in it so that it blocks the signal. I park in a parking lot so you'd have to figure out which unit I live in to retransmit fob data plus I don't keep my fob near the door so it probably isn't a concern for me at all.

 

most other countries don't ever shoot people - although to be fair plenty deserve it...

Mercedes vanishing from your drive with the key still safely locked up in your house (or in your pocket) is normal in Europe... Some are actually uninsurable for theft (all range rovers with keyless go for example have NO theft cover at all)

it all started as german manufacturers went down the route of over complexifying their cars in an attempt to stop owners or independent garages from working on their cars. The EU anti-competitions guys got involved and decided this was illegal and the software to communicate with the car must be available to third parties. Unfortunately with many eastern European countries involved we have prolific data and physical theft.... so it wasn't long before they worked out how to code a blank key to start the car from its own diagnostic port...

In 2009 it became common knowledge on a BMW you can scan the comfort access feature to wind down a window with your lap top get in and within 120 seconds code a 20 dollar key to the car and drive off and lock / unlock it as if it was your own
By 2012 a security patch cutting off comfort access was available FOC, but almost none had it.... and they decided it was too hard to fix the flaw. Instead waiting for 2012 model year cars to get a later system that was harder but not impossible to code a key via OBDC

It now takes 12 minutes to code a blank key on a BMW
After tweaking something in the boot, just 40 seconds to code a blank Audi key
And just 8 seconds to do any Jaguar or Land Rover (hence no theft cover at all !!!)

For Mercedes from I think 2018 the key goes to sleep if its not moved after 5 minutes... so rather than get shot, just wait in the car park for them to park the one you like... and just walk close to the owner as he gets out and you have a free car !!!