Keyless go issue
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 28
From: SOCAL
2004 E55
Keyless go issue
Just got a new key from Mercedes Benz. My 2004 E55 has Keyless go, key is supposedly fully programed.
Keyless go is not working at all. Key works fine with the buttons and in the ignition but no keyless go.
Any ideas?
Keyless go is not working at all. Key works fine with the buttons and in the ignition but no keyless go.
Any ideas?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 1,320
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
What do you mean, "Key works fine with all the buttons."? Key fob buttons? Door buttons? Trunk release handle? Stick shifter top mount button?
Do you have another key fob where the Keyless-Go works? Important point here...
If it is the shifter top mount button, that is a failure mode documented multiple times on this site. Relatively easy repair, just do NOT rotate the shifter knob while removing it from the shifter shaft; that is what breaks the wire and breaks the circuit.
If not that, time for Xentry/DAS and digging deeper into the antennas associated with Keyless-Go.
If none of the above, possible that MB provided you a non-Keyless-Go key fob...multiple posts here that the Keyless-Go key fobs were no longer available; I do not have an answer as I purchased multiple key fobs years ago before parts began to run dry.
Do you have another key fob where the Keyless-Go works? Important point here...
If it is the shifter top mount button, that is a failure mode documented multiple times on this site. Relatively easy repair, just do NOT rotate the shifter knob while removing it from the shifter shaft; that is what breaks the wire and breaks the circuit.
If not that, time for Xentry/DAS and digging deeper into the antennas associated with Keyless-Go.
If none of the above, possible that MB provided you a non-Keyless-Go key fob...multiple posts here that the Keyless-Go key fobs were no longer available; I do not have an answer as I purchased multiple key fobs years ago before parts began to run dry.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 28
From: SOCAL
2004 E55
What do you mean, "Key works fine with all the buttons."? Key fob buttons? Door buttons? Trunk release handle? Stick shifter top mount button?
Do you have another key fob where the Keyless-Go works? Important point here...
If it is the shifter top mount button, that is a failure mode documented multiple times on this site. Relatively easy repair, just do NOT rotate the shifter knob while removing it from the shifter shaft; that is what breaks the wire and breaks the circuit.
If not that, time for Xentry/DAS and digging deeper into the antennas associated with Keyless-Go.
If none of the above, possible that MB provided you a non-Keyless-Go key fob...multiple posts here that the Keyless-Go key fobs were no longer available; I do not have an answer as I purchased multiple key fobs years ago before parts began to run dry.
Do you have another key fob where the Keyless-Go works? Important point here...
If it is the shifter top mount button, that is a failure mode documented multiple times on this site. Relatively easy repair, just do NOT rotate the shifter knob while removing it from the shifter shaft; that is what breaks the wire and breaks the circuit.
If not that, time for Xentry/DAS and digging deeper into the antennas associated with Keyless-Go.
If none of the above, possible that MB provided you a non-Keyless-Go key fob...multiple posts here that the Keyless-Go key fobs were no longer available; I do not have an answer as I purchased multiple key fobs years ago before parts began to run dry.
There is no Keyless go functionality. The car side of keyless go works just fine
The original keys worked just fine. This new key doesn’t Keyless go doesnt keyless go.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 1,320
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Let's take a step back...
So... when the key fob is in your pocket (not in your hand) does the following occur?
-pulling on the door handle unlocks the car
-pressing the button on the door handle locks the car
-pulling the trunk release handle unlocks and opens the trunk
-pressing the button to the right of the trunk release handle locks the car
-pressing the "close and lock" button on the trunk actually closes the trunk and locks the car
-pressing the "On/Off" button on top of the shift lever starts/stops the car
If all of the above are not happening, then the Keyless-Go key fob is useless or malfunctioning. If only one or two failures, I would expect that due to wear and tear on sub-systems (two of my doors will not Keyless-Go lock/unlock due to failed micro-switches)
Possible the MB dealer provided you a non-Keyless-Go key fob. Part numbers will decide that.
Normally takes a couple of hours of run time to "marry" a new key fob to the car. This is documented in MB tech documents which I have posted multiple times.
Don't give up yet...
So... when the key fob is in your pocket (not in your hand) does the following occur?
-pulling on the door handle unlocks the car
-pressing the button on the door handle locks the car
-pulling the trunk release handle unlocks and opens the trunk
-pressing the button to the right of the trunk release handle locks the car
-pressing the "close and lock" button on the trunk actually closes the trunk and locks the car
-pressing the "On/Off" button on top of the shift lever starts/stops the car
If all of the above are not happening, then the Keyless-Go key fob is useless or malfunctioning. If only one or two failures, I would expect that due to wear and tear on sub-systems (two of my doors will not Keyless-Go lock/unlock due to failed micro-switches)
Possible the MB dealer provided you a non-Keyless-Go key fob. Part numbers will decide that.
Normally takes a couple of hours of run time to "marry" a new key fob to the car. This is documented in MB tech documents which I have posted multiple times.
Don't give up yet...
Last edited by bbirdwell; Mar 8, 2026 at 10:31 PM.
