SL/R231: Duplicate Key FOB source
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Central FL
sl450
Duplicate Key FOB source
Hello,
Somehow the second key that come with my 2002 SL450 is not for our car.
Now I must get a second key FOB made for backup and second drivers personal use.
Has anyone found a source of having this done woutside of MB dealership?
Please advise.
Jack
Somehow the second key that come with my 2002 SL450 is not for our car.
Now I must get a second key FOB made for backup and second drivers personal use.
Has anyone found a source of having this done woutside of MB dealership?
Please advise.
Jack
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,499
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
NOPE! Tried it. The problem is that ONLY authorized Mercedes dealers can program the fob. You can get key blanks and have them cut by a locksmith with the capability to laser cut keys, but after 2014 model year, you need to have a dealer program the fob.
I got a fob from https://northcoastkeyless.com/ and it was identical to the one from the dealership (to include the model, FCC code, frequency, etc.), but the dealership claimed they couldn't program it. I had my doubts, but what are you going to do? All in all, the fob without the emergency key was $640 (or something close). The emergency key was an extra $100 more. I did buy blanks for a couple of dollars and had them cut by a locksmith for $45 but had to use a file to slightly alter the key to get it to work. The dealer will usually have the fobs in stock but order the emergency key pre-cut from Mercedes.
Bottom line: You are looking at $750-$800 for a new key.
I got a fob from https://northcoastkeyless.com/ and it was identical to the one from the dealership (to include the model, FCC code, frequency, etc.), but the dealership claimed they couldn't program it. I had my doubts, but what are you going to do? All in all, the fob without the emergency key was $640 (or something close). The emergency key was an extra $100 more. I did buy blanks for a couple of dollars and had them cut by a locksmith for $45 but had to use a file to slightly alter the key to get it to work. The dealer will usually have the fobs in stock but order the emergency key pre-cut from Mercedes.
Bottom line: You are looking at $750-$800 for a new key.
Last edited by JettaRed; Aug 16, 2024 at 08:19 AM.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,499
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
My above response was for a lost key. If you have the fob already, the dealer may be able to program it for an hour's labor. Does the emergency key in the non-working fob unlock the car door? Is the key fob battery good? have you tried to use the fob by inserting it in the dash where the start button is? You know you can pull off the start button and insert the fob.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 26
Likes: 21
From: El Cajon / San Diego
2015 sl550 Designo
Having gone thru this with my previous 2001 SLK, here's what I learned. . GO TO THE DEALER. . .
Mercedes has a 'Key Control" which I seem to remember was in Texas at that time. . they make
the physical key. . . Then the dealership has to program the new FOB / Key. . . In 2001 there were 2 separate computers in
my SLK.
One is the ignition portion and another computer is for security / locks. Here is where it gets dicey, the security computer has
8 open 'ports' for 8 individual keys, Once a port is used, it's burned forever for future use. AND, Mercedes policy was/is to remder
any port pre-programmed without a physical key useless unless you present them all keys in your possession at the time of programing. It's their way of
ensuring that no one else can get in your car
IN my case. the technician made "some" errors and all my extra ports he was using were wasted until there were no more ports available. Mercedes had to replace both my security computer and ignition computer, The security computer was hidden inside the dashboard. . . Besides the cost of all new keys and the computer parts, Mercedes had to cover 3 days labor to R&R the dash. Expensive mistake on their part.
Reading your situation, I have this main question, Did your spare key ever work??? Does it open the doors and turn the Ignition ?? If so, possibly Mercedes can get that key to access your system.
Mercedes has a 'Key Control" which I seem to remember was in Texas at that time. . they make
the physical key. . . Then the dealership has to program the new FOB / Key. . . In 2001 there were 2 separate computers in
my SLK.
One is the ignition portion and another computer is for security / locks. Here is where it gets dicey, the security computer has
8 open 'ports' for 8 individual keys, Once a port is used, it's burned forever for future use. AND, Mercedes policy was/is to remder
any port pre-programmed without a physical key useless unless you present them all keys in your possession at the time of programing. It's their way of
ensuring that no one else can get in your car
IN my case. the technician made "some" errors and all my extra ports he was using were wasted until there were no more ports available. Mercedes had to replace both my security computer and ignition computer, The security computer was hidden inside the dashboard. . . Besides the cost of all new keys and the computer parts, Mercedes had to cover 3 days labor to R&R the dash. Expensive mistake on their part.
Reading your situation, I have this main question, Did your spare key ever work??? Does it open the doors and turn the Ignition ?? If so, possibly Mercedes can get that key to access your system.
Last edited by toolguy4u; Aug 16, 2024 at 10:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Central FL
sl450
Key FOB corrected
Hello,
Fast fingers and poor eyesight allowed 2020 SL450 to be typed as 2002. Car is 2020.
The second key FOB I have but is not programmed to our car. The emergency key will not work as it is differently cut.
Are you suggesting I might take the existing key FOB to MB and have it re-programmed for my car? And possibly have an emergency key cut from mine that works>
Wonderful if it is so.
Jack
Fast fingers and poor eyesight allowed 2020 SL450 to be typed as 2002. Car is 2020.
The second key FOB I have but is not programmed to our car. The emergency key will not work as it is differently cut.
Are you suggesting I might take the existing key FOB to MB and have it re-programmed for my car? And possibly have an emergency key cut from mine that works>
Wonderful if it is so.
Jack
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,499
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Hello,
Fast fingers and poor eyesight allowed 2020 SL450 to be typed as 2002. Car is 2020.
The second key FOB I have but is not programmed to our car. The emergency key will not work as it is differently cut.
Are you suggesting I might take the existing key FOB to MB and have it re-programmed for my car? And possibly have an emergency key cut from mine that works>
Wonderful if it is so.
Jack
Fast fingers and poor eyesight allowed 2020 SL450 to be typed as 2002. Car is 2020.
The second key FOB I have but is not programmed to our car. The emergency key will not work as it is differently cut.
Are you suggesting I might take the existing key FOB to MB and have it re-programmed for my car? And possibly have an emergency key cut from mine that works>
Wonderful if it is so.
Jack
Where did you buy the car? If they sold it to you with two working fobs advertised, I would ask them to provide a working replacement. But they could just say no. For the price of a new one, it's not worth fighting it in court.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Central FL
sl450
Rest of the story.
Dealer provided 2 key fobs; one which was not for our car. Asked us to wait 30 days for lost key insurance to initiate and go to any MB dealer who would replace the key for and valet key. The insurance was for LOST key, not a key never received and replaced intentionally with a key that would not work.
After much back and forth, we decided to take the simple, straightforward route and have 2nd key fob and valet key made at dealer 60 miles away, not 240 miles where the car was purchased.
Key fob cost $400.00, valet key properly cut $100 (from TX) and dealer must have car and a working key and verification of ownership to make the duplicate. MB corporate has a. control system to prevent unauthorized duplication.
The duplicate will be made Friday August 23. Finally getting a 2nd key.
Service manager at MB also stated the importance of having a spare key as a car without any keys cannot be started and must be flat bedded to MB for authorization and new key processing which may take up to 2 weeks. Dealer will not provide loaner.
Jack
Dealer provided 2 key fobs; one which was not for our car. Asked us to wait 30 days for lost key insurance to initiate and go to any MB dealer who would replace the key for and valet key. The insurance was for LOST key, not a key never received and replaced intentionally with a key that would not work.
After much back and forth, we decided to take the simple, straightforward route and have 2nd key fob and valet key made at dealer 60 miles away, not 240 miles where the car was purchased.
Key fob cost $400.00, valet key properly cut $100 (from TX) and dealer must have car and a working key and verification of ownership to make the duplicate. MB corporate has a. control system to prevent unauthorized duplication.
The duplicate will be made Friday August 23. Finally getting a 2nd key.
Service manager at MB also stated the importance of having a spare key as a car without any keys cannot be started and must be flat bedded to MB for authorization and new key processing which may take up to 2 weeks. Dealer will not provide loaner.
Jack
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,499
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I think each dealer is different. The dealer can program a new fob from inventory without a working key. The problem is that the working key (if and when found) will no longer work with the car. The existing key fob and new key fob must be coded to the car at the same time. The supposed long lead time for a cut key is because the dealer does not cut the key locally. But, as I said, you can buy blanks off Amazon and have a duplicate made by a locksmith with a laser cutter. My dealer told me at the time that they could have the cut key within 3 days.
The cut "valet" key is NOT a valet key at all. You can use it ONLY to unlock the trunk or the driver's door; you CANNOT use it to start the car. It is officially called an "Emergency Key" in case you lock your only key inside the car or trunk.
But your dealer is right to say it is very risky to have only one set of keys.
I don't know the laws in the state where you bought the car, but it is pretty shady for the selling dealer to try to fraud the insurance company by giving you a bogus key and telling you to claim a loss. What does the paperwork say? Where there any "due outs" or any mention of the second key? I would definitely have a conversation with the selling dealer about reimbursement for the new key. Otherwise, I would contact the Attorney General's Office of the state where the car was purchased and tell them your story.
The cut "valet" key is NOT a valet key at all. You can use it ONLY to unlock the trunk or the driver's door; you CANNOT use it to start the car. It is officially called an "Emergency Key" in case you lock your only key inside the car or trunk.
But your dealer is right to say it is very risky to have only one set of keys.
I don't know the laws in the state where you bought the car, but it is pretty shady for the selling dealer to try to fraud the insurance company by giving you a bogus key and telling you to claim a loss. What does the paperwork say? Where there any "due outs" or any mention of the second key? I would definitely have a conversation with the selling dealer about reimbursement for the new key. Otherwise, I would contact the Attorney General's Office of the state where the car was purchased and tell them your story.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
I used to buy my Benzes at auto auctions, former lease cars sold by Mercedes' financial arm; bought 7 or 8 that way. My 2007 E350 was advertised as having two keys but I was only given one and I successfully got Mercedes to issue a second, no charge. Assuming you purchased from an MB dealer you should have been able to do the same, even if it took an escalation to MBUSA. Another of my cars, the 2009 CLK550, came with only one key and a car seller I knew tipped me off to local dealer who said at the time (2013), "The price for the keyless go key is $280.00 for the electronic part and $22.50 for the emergency key. I could give you Reynolds Auto Sales price it would be $224.00 for the electronic part & $18.50 for the emergency key." All he needed was proof of ownership; he sent me the key in the mail. The moral of that story is to shop around if you have to pay out of pocket: dealers charge wildly different prices. This one was smithmotorsales.com in Haverhill, MA, but JJackson@MBLouisville.com is well documented on the forums for their low prices. (Two years later I bought a 2015 C300 new and the dealer tried to sell me "lost key insurance"for $400 or so; he said a new key at that dealership, Herb Chambers' MB of Boston, was $600.) Last key story: during this same era, mid-twenty-teens, my then-mechanic had an ML purchased at auction that came with only one key and when he tried to purchase a second he was told he could not, that the car was "keyed out", meaning the maximum number of keys had already been issued (I believe it was 8). We used the same auto broker for the auction purchases and it turned out that ML was a former dealer loaner, hence the many lost/replaced keys.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,499
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
As @eddieo45 stated, there is a limit to the number of key replacements, so don't be careless about your keys. They are not only expensive, but there is a maximum of 8 replacements. I am not sure if the existing key needs to be resynchronized (taking 1 space) when programming a replacement key (taking another space).
Also, apparently for model year 2015 and later, changes were made that require you to get a replacement fob from the dealer, while 2014 and earlier cars may be able to clone a fob by an independent locksmith. When I needed a replacement for a lost fob for my 2015 SL400, the locksmith tried to clone/program my exiting fob with an Autel key programmer. He was unable to because of "new" security features where he said he could program a 2014 car when I asked. (He looked up the model and year.)
Also, apparently for model year 2015 and later, changes were made that require you to get a replacement fob from the dealer, while 2014 and earlier cars may be able to clone a fob by an independent locksmith. When I needed a replacement for a lost fob for my 2015 SL400, the locksmith tried to clone/program my exiting fob with an Autel key programmer. He was unable to because of "new" security features where he said he could program a 2014 car when I asked. (He looked up the model and year.)
Last edited by JettaRed; Aug 21, 2024 at 09:10 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
...apparently for model year 2015 and later, changes were made that require you to get a replacement fob from the dealer, while 2014 and earlier cars may be able to clone a fob by an independent locksmith. When I needed a replacement for a lost fob for my 2015 SL400, the locksmith tried to clone/program my exiting fob with an Autel key programmer. He was unable to because of "new" security features where he said he could program a 2014 car when I asked. (He looked up the model and year.)
