I have a 96 SL600 with the infrared receiver on the rear view mirror. I unfortunately sent my remote through the washer and dryer with the laundry and it works, but goes through batteries in about 3 days. I've tried a couple remotes that look the same on ebay, but none work. any advice or do I have to bite the bullet and buy from the dealer? thanks!

 

Its a dealership job. Each vehicle is individually coded.

 

It must be done at the dealer and you can only have no more than 3 keys (I think it is 3). Otherwise, they have to change out the system and it is costly.

 

Are your replies only because of the year of the car? In the manual, it states how to program remotes to work with the car in case the remote or car loses its memory due to battery failure. They state to point the remote at the receiver and press the button twice. Then put the key in the ignition and turn it to the 2nd position. The green light in the rearview mirror should blink stating that the reprogram was successful. The problem I'm having is that the remotes ordered off of ebay are the 1 button ones, but they are not 100% identical to the one I have. I'm wondering if they made a special remote just for that year and it would be rare to come across one. thanks.

 

The remote is programmed to YOUR car. You cannot program your car to accept a remote from another car. The learning process you describe it to synchronise your remote with the car not to learn another remote. These remotes emit a sequence of codes and both receiver and transmitter have to be in alignment. But the sequence is specific to your car.

That's why you have to go to the dealer for a replacement. Anyway, they're not to expensive, mine cost around 50GBP.

Lea

 

well if anyone has any better ideas for me to get a replacement, please let me know. I went to the dealer today and they quoted me $180 + tax USD for a new one. thanks for any advice!

 

Maybe better to order one from the UK then? I'm sure mine cost 55GBP +VAT, that's around 110USD +Tax.

Or send your current IR to an electronics eng for repair. If it's eating batteries I would suspect some type of corrosion causing additional current drain, which could be cleaned.


Lea

 

FYI, you can negotiate with MB dealer parts department. I got my for $125 a year ago and I am sure they are about the same price today. Call a few dealer and their prices are likely to be different.

 

As far as I know, there are really two issues with the remote keys. If your car is equipped with the MB engine immobilizer system, there is a small RFID chip (made by Texas Instruments) in the key fob that must be recognized by the engine ECU (there is a sensor “antenna” in the ring around the ignition switch). Establishing this synchronization is definitely a dealer only job and, yes, I believe there is a limit to the number of such keys that can be “coded” to the system. You may be able to get a key fob that unlocks the doors, but it won’t start the car, even if the key turns in the lock!

The second issue is the transmission that locks/unlocks the doors. As far as I know, most systems use a “rolling code” algorithm that changes the “key” with each use. That is why there is a “synchronization process” in the owner’s manual. If the fob and the controller loose track of the current “key” (you change the battery for example), you must go through the process to “resync”. There are a number of patented algorithms that do this out there. I would suspect (but I don’t; know for sure), that any fob designed for your year would work to open/close the locks after “resync”, but (see above), may not start the car.

The problem you are experiencing with you fob definitely sounds like corrosion. Conductive salts in the wash water are shunting current from the battery and causing the drain. If you’re really feeling lucky, you can try the following. I have used it on key fobs, cell phones, garage remotes, and various other sundry electronic items that have been washed or otherwise exposed to water. I want to emphasize that doing this may render your key fob COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, so consider this carefully. If you do want to try, do this: Remove the battery. Wash you key fob thoroughly in 70% isopropyl alcohol, A.K.A., rubbing alcohol (from you local drug store/pharmacy/chemist). Be sure you plenty of I.P.A (e.g., really soak it). Leave the battery out and place the key in a warm dry place for 3-5 days. The water in the IPA should help remove the “salts” from the wash water while the alcohol acts as an astringent to help drying. Success rate for me with this method is about one in four.

Anyway, those are my two cents worth based on my experience with my Y2000 SL. I hope it is helpful.

- FD

 

I just got a 2001 CLK55 and only have 1 key. what do I need to do? can I get one off ebay and program it myself? I am a computer programmer by nature, so i didn't think it could be that hard.... any help for my vehicle would be great, I don't want to pay the dealer 200 for a key and programming, when if I can get one for 25 bucks on ebay and stick inand let it program itself for 4 hours...

thanks

 

You have to go to your dealer and have them order you a new one from Mercedes-Benz.

 

There is an alternative. Go w/o the remote and purchase a 'Master Key' or a 'Flat Key'. But you will still need to get it from a Dealer by showing your auto registration.

 

You could get an aftermarket keyless entry system for under $180 installed and those remote replacements are less then $30. Some places sell and install these for $99. My 97 needed a new brain for the central locking system at a cost of $1100+ and the dealer wouldn't guarantee that this would fix the intermittent problem of inoperability. I had a Clifford G5 alarm installed for $300 that added alot of security features and bypassed the central locking problem by interfacing directly with the control unit. Now I have keyless entry that works 100% of the time, a proximity sensor for when the top is down and shock/tilt sensors.