Misplaced Key! ARGH! Any way to make a 'key finder'?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 333
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From: Berkeley, California
2005 E55, Renntech Pulley, ECU
Misplaced Key! ARGH! Any way to make a 'key finder'?
Ok, this is a crazy question but humor me 
I misplaced my nice new-style key. Remote entry option on the car got me thinking. I'm very confident that the key is somewhere in my house, but I've torn the place apart trying to find it with no luck. Gone through all my clothes, drawers, other cars, nothing. The thing has to be somewhere in the house and I'd hate to shell out $400 for a new key only to have the old one turn up weeks later. I'm close to giving up and getting raped by the dealership.
But back to the keyless entry technology...
Given that the car talks to the key and the key to the car, is there any way to make a 'key locator' that sends out a similar signal that the car sends out when you try to open a door or fire up the motor, etc? Then if the key is in range and talks back the detector would make a sound. Like a key detector instead of a metal detector.
I'm sure that if possible it'd cost more than a new key, and probably not possible. But does anyone has any thoughts as to whether my mad and desperate idea is feasible? 99% sure this will elicit mockery (which is fine), but I had to check.
I'd lost the 'old style' key for months only to have it turn up in an old pair of work pants, but I've gone nuclear looking this time and can NOT find it. Maybe behind a drawer, up high in a stupid spot, or at the bottom of my utility closet. Killing me.
Ideas and ridicule welcomed.
Skeeter
I misplaced my nice new-style key. Remote entry option on the car got me thinking. I'm very confident that the key is somewhere in my house, but I've torn the place apart trying to find it with no luck. Gone through all my clothes, drawers, other cars, nothing. The thing has to be somewhere in the house and I'd hate to shell out $400 for a new key only to have the old one turn up weeks later. I'm close to giving up and getting raped by the dealership.
But back to the keyless entry technology...
Given that the car talks to the key and the key to the car, is there any way to make a 'key locator' that sends out a similar signal that the car sends out when you try to open a door or fire up the motor, etc? Then if the key is in range and talks back the detector would make a sound. Like a key detector instead of a metal detector.
I'm sure that if possible it'd cost more than a new key, and probably not possible. But does anyone has any thoughts as to whether my mad and desperate idea is feasible? 99% sure this will elicit mockery (which is fine), but I had to check.
I'd lost the 'old style' key for months only to have it turn up in an old pair of work pants, but I've gone nuclear looking this time and can NOT find it. Maybe behind a drawer, up high in a stupid spot, or at the bottom of my utility closet. Killing me.
Ideas and ridicule welcomed.
Skeeter
Last edited by Skeeter; Feb 24, 2009 at 04:09 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 13
From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Sorry, But yes you will not find it until you buy a new one.
It's a Murphy thing.
Good Luck, we all know how much you love the dealers....
It's a Murphy thing.
Good Luck, we all know how much you love the dealers....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 13
From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
Have you tried starting the car with no key on you. Least that narrows down if it's sitting somewhere in the car. (forgot if you said you had keyless go or not. Obviously only works with keyless go)
I lost mine and looked and looked and finally found it had fallen out of my coat pocket and was wayyyyy down between the seat the center console.
Couldn't see it well and I must looked right over it several times.
Worth a shot.
I lost mine and looked and looked and finally found it had fallen out of my coat pocket and was wayyyyy down between the seat the center console.
Couldn't see it well and I must looked right over it several times.
Worth a shot.
Newbie
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2012 CL550
I am interested in whether you ever figured out a way to FIND your key ?
I had exactly the same thought, it seems a no brainer to build somethinbg that just pings if it picks up a signal somewhere, but cannot find anything online at all...
I had exactly the same thought, it seems a no brainer to build somethinbg that just pings if it picks up a signal somewhere, but cannot find anything online at all...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 80
From: Tampa Bay, FL
05 E55, 98 CLK320
One time I flipped my apartment to find my car keys key, only to realize the room key was still in the door lock and the door was left open...
(this was in an apartment where we had separate rooms with roommates)
I called off from work with a fabricated story that I lost my keys at work...
so uh... check the door locks
(this was in an apartment where we had separate rooms with roommates)
I called off from work with a fabricated story that I lost my keys at work...
so uh... check the door locks
