MbBiturboFan

The keyless go feature on the front left ( Drivers side ) door handle does not work, but all the other doors open and lock fine without the key.

I found a YouTube , where the guy attaches two 300ohm resistors inside the handle and replaces the switch. Was curious if anyone tried this on their car and if it works for all W211s?

Wanted to fix it this way as opposed to getting a new handle entirely, which cost about $200 from what I've researched so far.

MbBiturboFan

NVM, found a good thread on Mbworld itself. Will give it a go.

Yuille36

You need to buy a new door handle, as the electronic inside the door, have corrosion, and that is your issue. I have replaced all four door handles over the years.

W126AMG

Three of my four handles don't work - the Driver door handle was replaced by the prior owner about 5 years ago. I have all four new ones from MB in my body color that i bought over the past 2 years (lucky I have a rare body color - MB still had them in stock).

My brother has a W124 E320 Cabriolet. Over Christmas, I detailed his car and sprayed the soft top with RaggTop water repellent spray. I was thinking of taping off the new handles that I will install soon and spray the handles with RaggTop to give them a modicum of water repellent ability. Not sure if it will help, but will try. Certainly open to other ideas.

Yuille36

Anything that you can do to help against water penetration can’t work. The most common failure point is the rubber seals around the door handles.

Fulger55

I have an 04 E55 and my driver door doesn't work when is cold outside below 32F ...when is above 32F it works excellent

MbBiturboFan

Wow, really? I already bought the 475 and 300 ohm resistors, along with the switches. In total was $5, so a bargain. A new handle costs upwards of $200. I am not sure if its personally worth it, would just like everything functioning.

Wonder if the frankenstein resistor fix is purely because the resistors burnt out or something. Wonder if there is a way to tell as you said if its broken due to corrosion or something else.

Was also curious if I could swap the rear left handle for the front left, but I think they are slightly different shape.

Yuille36

Unfortunately, door handles can not be swapped, each are made for their corresponding sides. Now if your an electronics wiz, then you can repair the door handles, if you know what's wrong with them.
I'm no electronics wizard, so I just replace them. But, I do have friends at the dealership and I get parts at a reduced cost.