dsosnow

My 2004 SL500 *intermittently* won’t lock/unlock using the proximity key. I never really use the fob, just walk up to the doors. They used to automatically unlock. Now they only unlock sometimes, and rarely if the car has been sitting for a while. I have to use the key and then it only unlocks the driver’s side.

If the car is running, I can lock and unlock flawlessly from the dashboard button. If not running, nothing from the dash.

Usually if I’ve just finished driving I can get out of the car and use the button on the door handle to lock it, but sometimes I have to use the key.

Pretty inconsistent. My current planned fix is to just use the key, but i’d like to get it sorted if it’s not crazy expensive.

thanks!

matk

How often do you use the car?

sivikvtec

To make sure I understand what you’re saying....

While sitting inside the car with both doors closed, the lock/unlock buttons on the dash work fine while the engine is running and do nothing while the engine is off?

Sit in the car with the engine off and doors closed and press lock/unlock on the key fob. What happens?

dsosnow

maybe a couple of times a week, but it can also go longer.

dsosnow

So... got in the car. Left engine off. Locked the doors with the button on the dash. Tried to unlock. No luck. Turned the car on. Locking and unlocking works. Then turned off the car, put the keys back in the ignition. Didn’t turn the key at all, but the locks worked fine from the dash. After a quick drive I tried using the fob to lock and unlock and it worked fine.

wondering if it’s a key battery issue? Very inconsistent.

sivikvtec

I need to know what happens when you are sitting in the car with the engine off, doors closed, and the keyfob in your hand.

when you press lock/unlock on the fob during this time, what happens?

dsosnow

It is inconsistent. Worked one time, didn’t work the next.

dsosnow

tried it again today - same. I got in the car. Left it off. Closed the door. Used the fob and it worked multiple times. Then I drove around for a while. Got home. Turned off the car. Tried the fob. Nothing. Opened and closed the door. Still nothing.