Rovel

This is how I keep Mercedes Keyless Entry working and prevent from dying. Since I started doing this trick 4 years ago the keyless entry on my W211 E63 AMG and W211 E350 never died. Note: it won't fix already broken entry system, but it may help to prolong the life of the functioning keyless entry of your Mercedes.

Yuille36

I can see this video being very helpful for the viewers, I however have replaced every single door handle on my E63, over the last two years.
This is would have been good to know back then.

Rovel

Thank you, Yuille36! When I bought my E63 by the time I found time to go to the auto parts store they kept failing one after another I managed to save one of the original ones using this method. I am also doing this on the new handles to keep them alive. I replaced the other 3 myself. Finding them in my color was challenging.

I also attempted at fixing them myself. I fixed one of them but it looked ugly. I asked couple of electronics repair shops around and nobody wanted to deal with it. So I hope this video helps someone.

Yuille36

I can see this being a part of the general maintenance ritual every year.

kevm14

Mine are all working so I tried this. A few days later I noticed some intermittent driver's door unlock issues. It required multiple tries, sometimes up to 5+. Everything else was still fine.

So I figured that the switch didn't like all that silicone spray I pumped in so I essentially rinsed it out with contact cleaner (the unlock button only) and it's been working first try since.

Do I think that means it is on borrowed time? Possibly but in my case it didn't like the silicone spray ...

Rovel

Most of silicon sprays should be safe with switches and wires. Contact cleaner is definitely safe on switches too.

I think your issue is coincidental and the switch is already on its way out. You probably managed to wash the debris out which is good. If the rubber around the unlock is torn (it is hard to see but you can inspect with a small inspection mirror) don’t “dump” the spray inside the handle. The goal is to create a waterproof coating not to bath it in silicon. I am sure the rubber is torn otherwise no spray could even find its way to the switch.

kevm14

If the goal is a protective coating on the outside lock button seal I would say 303 would be a far better choice.

Rovel

I didn’t know about 303 just googled and it says “provides protection against harmful UV rays that can cause discoloration, fading, embrittlement, cracking and/or chalking.” If it is safe on a plastic/rubber — sure. I don’t know. Also don’t know if it repels water or not.

Again, I don’t think the reason for hiccups was the silicon spray. The switch is already going bad. You treated it with the spray and cleaner and prolonged its life. Continue applying every once in a while. When I bought my E63 all the buttons started misbehaving similar to what you described before they died. I couldn’t find time to spray them. I saved one of the three using the spray. It's been 2 years. I spray every month or whenever I remember.

I had been using this spray on my E350 for 2 years before I sold it and got w212 which comes with sensors for keyless — and saved the driver door (that is used the most).

Also, in my experience with older style keyless they start failing around the same time. Hope your other handles survive longer.

kevm14

To reiterate, I had no functional problems with any of my door handles.

After I sprayed the silicone, the driver's door UNLOCK button started acting up big time. Pretty much never worked on the first try and sometimes requiring many repeated attempts to unlock. I put a straw on my contact cleaner, aimed it into the unlock button, and tried to rinse out the silicone basically. Since I have done this, it has worked the FIRST time, every time. I don't think it has anything to do with the LOCK button.

I understand the lock button has a seal and being exposed to the sun and elements, can fail. I don't see how any of my experience indicates a failed seal there. However, I also don't understand how the unlock button is sealed, if it's sealed at all.

I don't necessarily disagree with the theory that silicone spray can protect rubber stuff. But I also think 303 is probably better for UV protection. It is an excellent product and I'm a little surprised that no one on this forum seems to know what it is (re: detailing threads, etc.). Great for most/all of the interior, including leather seats.

Rovel

When it fails fully open it up and you’ll see that both switches enclosed in rubber the same way. If rubber wasn’t torn around the Lock or Unlock no spray/water/ could find it is way to them. For the unlock button it usually tears towards the back of the handle/car. The spray I showed is safe for using on switches. But you are free blame the silicon spray for the failure. 😂

Yuille36

The problem is that moisture makes it’s way past the rubber seal, then corrodes the electronic inside the handle. The key is to eliminate any and all moisture from getting inside the handle in the first place. I have replaced every handle on my E63 during the last two years, after 13 years. This isn’t cheap <$2000 including labor. But looking at the longevity of these handles, I can’t complain. Just hope they last another >10 years. 🤔

kevm14

Yes I'd say the seal for the unlock button on the driver's door handle must be compromised. But what I'm saying is, I did this 100% preventatively; there was no previous indication of an issue. So someone taking your advice spraying into handles of unknown history/age/condition (but otherwise fully functional) could end up with the issue mine had. It went from working 100%, to acting like it was almost dead after the spray, to working 100% after rinsing with contact cleaner. For the record, none of my other door handles have responded poorly to the silicone spray. It does seem like if someone sprays and then has issues, they can rinse with contact cleaner.

And I would tend to agree, again, that the handle is on borrowed time, but only time will tell.

cfmistry

I use 303 Aerospace on the KG lock buttons all the time. It's more preventative than curative, but it's a great product.

Also there is a very effective solution for this problem - don't let your w211 see the rain.

Rovel

That’s the safest solution 😂 What’s KG?

kevm14

9 months later, had to replace the driver's door handle. Thought I'd follow up.

Yuille36

Over the years, I've replaced each single door handle on my E63, and the price adds up quickly when you multiply that by 4.

kevm14

I told myself this would be the first and last. Because I would use the old part to disassemble and learn where to replace the switch with the resistor and that whole routine. I did a similar fix on another car (Cadillac STS with the same type of system but different design) and it has held up just fine. We'll see what I actually do...

It did take me a good 40 minutes to figure out what exactly I was doing. I'm sure I could do it again in one quarter of the time. Next I need to do the right rear door lock actuator because the door often does not open from the inside. I did find a thread on that, too, and there could be a no-parts fix but it's a bit hacky, even for me. But after seeing it I was glad I found a used actuator from an 07 E63 for $47 instead of what I was about to do which was pay $300 for a new one.