S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

How often does pushbutton start fail?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 15, 2020 | 09:06 AM
  #1  
auburn2's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 160
Likes: 46
S-65 AMG
How often does pushbutton start fail?

I am looking at used S600 and S65 W221s, all of the ones I have looked at came with keyless go originally and the keyless door locks still work on the ones I have test drove.

However several of them have the starter button removed and use the key to start the car. am wondering if the starting system failed on these cars or if it is just as simple as putting the button in. So has anyone here had the system actually fail where you needed to remove the button and use the key?

Last edited by auburn2; Sep 15, 2020 at 09:08 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2020 | 10:36 AM
  #2  
MBENZTECH's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 616
Likes: 302
From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
14 years dedicated strictly to working on Mercedes Benz vehicles and I can tell you that keyless go system rarely gives you any problems. What I have seen lately is that people go cheap and buy keys from mobile locksmiths that are not keylessgo compatible and this is why you will see that the button has been removed and they insert they key.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2020 | 11:18 AM
  #3  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 1,686
S500
security fix....

can nick it without the button ?
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2020 | 11:45 AM
  #4  
auburn2's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 160
Likes: 46
S-65 AMG
Originally Posted by MBENZTECH
14 years dedicated strictly to working on Mercedes Benz vehicles and I can tell you that keyless go system rarely gives you any problems. What I have seen lately is that people go cheap and buy keys from mobile locksmiths that are not keylessgo compatible and this is why you will see that the button has been removed and they insert they key.
Thanks! good to know.

If I buy a car with "cheap" keys is it still possible to get the real deal from the dealership or do they need a current key to clone? Also what is the ballpark price for that (including programming)?
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2020 | 02:45 PM
  #5  
MBENZTECH's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 616
Likes: 302
From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
You can always order one from the dealer.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 01:13 PM
  #6  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,194
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Originally Posted by auburn2
Thanks! good to know.

If I buy a car with "cheap" keys is it still possible to get the real deal from the dealership or do they need a current key to clone? Also what is the ballpark price for that (including programming)?
Don’t need a current key. Mercedes keeps records. You pay for this service in the price of a new key. They do need proof of ownership.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 01:15 PM
  #7  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,194
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
My CL is my first car with keyless go. First thing I did was pull the button off so I could use the key.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 11:10 PM
  #8  
cetialpha5's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Originally Posted by lkchris
My CL is my first car with keyless go. First thing I did was pull the button off so I could use the key.
I just like to use the button. That way keys can stay in my pocket. But sometimes I leave them in the cupholder. Basically I like to use keyless go to open the doors, get in the car, hit the button and switch to drive.

As for the button, it seems like it's pretty common for them to be missing at the dealerships. Either people steal them, the dealers put them away for safe keeping or the previous owners are the ones selling the buttons on eBay. I think they're pretty cheap in the $10-$20 range.

A keyless go key is in the $500 range, maybe higher, depends on the dealer. Sometimes you can combine coupons to get a lower price. Or call around to several dealers and whoever has it lowest, ask the closest dealer if they will price match that dealer. Programming may be a scam, they may just stick the key in the ignition to make sure it works. That's about it. Some dealers charge it and some don't.

If the battery in the fob dies, you will need to remove the button and use the key. The dealers will change out the batteries in the fob when you bring it in for service and won't even mention it.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-3

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:08 AM.

story-0
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-1
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-4
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE