Driver side keyless entry doesn't work

[GarethBlain]

Hi all,
I have just purchased my first Merc (2003 CLK500) and managed to find a nice one with Distronic Cruise control, Keyless Go, Auto Xenons etc...
It has a few issues that I need to look at:

1. Keyless Entry doesn't work from drivers door
2. Don't think the AC is working correctly (hopefully due to clicking noise when first started from dash. I believe it's a stepper motor?)
3. Distronic Cruse seems to point to the left. Maybe by about 10deg? Alignment issue?

Anyway when I got the car I knew it had Keyless Go but didn't understand why they wouldn't put keyless entry on it until I realized it did for the boot and then upon trying the passenger door... So clearly the drivers door has a fault. Upon reading LOTS of posts on this forum and lots of others I have come to the conclusion it must be the drivers door handle's sensor as this is what everyone seems to say it is.
A quick phone call to my closest Merc dealer (Chester) and asked the parts department for a quote for the drivers door handle for a keyless go equipped clk500 (gave him my VIN) and he rang back saying he had read up on it and the sensor is around the lock barrel in the door not the door handle as everyone seem to say here... I asked if the barrel and door handle is one part and he said no. Also he couldn't order one until I come in and provide him with driving license, V5 etc as it needs ordering for my key...
I asked if he was shore that was correct as everything I had read said it was just the door handle and no programming required at which point he got into a huff and said "Well I am not a forum. That is what is wrong. I looked it up in are parts system."
Before I go and spend what ever huge amount of money would be required for this can someone confirm this very polite man is correct?

Thanks in advance!

 

[television]

The sensor is in the handle and nothing else, they are wrong,, you do not need the key part, and the chances are it is the handle at fault. I say they are wrong.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Keyless entry fault is a very common fault - there's a fix for it on Youtube somewhere, as I recall. It's the microswitch in the handle gets water in and corrodes. As Malcolm says, I don't think it has anything to do with keys or re-programming.

On my car, the Distronic Sensor is behind the star on the grill. It might be worth having a look behind to see if it is something simple, e.g. pointing slightly out of alignment.

 

[GarethBlain]

Keyless entry fault is a very common fault - there's a fix for it on Youtube somewhere, as I recall. It's the micro-switch in the handle gets water in and corrodes. As Malcolm says, I don't think it has anything to do with keys or re-programming.

On my car, the Distronic Sensor is behind the star on the grill. It might be worth having a look behind to see if it is something simple, e.g. pointing slightly out of alignment.

As in a "fix" that I can do as opposed to replacing the handle? That sounds much better! LOL Had a search on YouTube and couldn't find anything on it. Any ideas on what it was called or any other pointers to finding it?

And yer I have looked at the Distronic Sensor and it is behind the Merc star. I will see if I can see any clear alignment issues but it looked fine from what I could see with the grill on. I am hoping to get a look at the Merc service manual for that soon so will wait before thinking of removing it... don't want to make it worse! :Oops:

 

[GarethBlain]

OK I know this was from ages ago now but I figured encase someone else is dealing with these issues I would update with the resolutions.

First the Distronic Cruise Control. This was corrected via a calabration using the STARS system by a Merc specialist and took a few mins.

Next the Keyless entry. It WAS JUST the handle that needed replacing (the part of the handle you grab and pull. This bit comes off fairly easily (just one bolt from the inside of the door and the hole can be relieved by pulling off (or maybe just to the side) the door rubber behind where the handle is.
I first took the passenger side off and plugged it into the drivers side (after removing the drivers side obviously!). It wouldn't physically fit on to the car as the two sides are oposite BUT the electronics connection did fit and this then allowed me to click the microswitch and establish if it was just that part that need replacing. As it opened and locked without issue I then just ordered that one part (ignoring Mercs protest it was half the drivers door!) fitted it and it worked like a charm. No STARS programming needed!

P.S. I did try pulling the old one apart in the hope I could repair it but it's a sealed (I guess to try and stop water getting in which clearly failed!) and wouldn't be worth the effort as it's all glued together so you would destroy the handle even IF you could fit it.

Hope this helps others.

 

[alexanderfoti]

The clicking in the dash is a stepper motor, and I assume by now, have realised its not worth changing.

 

[Sm86]

Hi,

Newbie here.

I have the exact same issue with my CLS55 AMG.

I wanted to ask, would a working used door handle off another CLS work? Brand new is £200 ish, used is under £100 so would prefer to save a few quid.

 

[AMGeed]

Hi,

Newbie here.

I have the exact same issue with my CLS55 AMG.

I wanted to ask, would a working used door handle off another CLS work? Brand new is £200 ish, used is under £100 so would prefer to save a few quid.

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, another Keyless CLS door handle will work. They are plug and play with no programming required.

There is a company that will refurb your old handle to keep as a spare or sell on.

http://www.keylessfix.eu/index.php/en/

 

[Sm86]

Thanks for the reply.

Shame they’re in sweden (i’m in the UK).

I’m going to try and remove it myself and have a look at it myself to see if any wires are damaged.

If not, i’m going to try and source another handle or maybe send to these guys..

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, another Keyless CLS door handle will work. They are plug and play with no programming required.

There is a company that will refurb your old handle to keep as a spare or sell on.

http://www.keylessfix.eu/index.php/en/[/QUOT

 

[AMGeed]

Apparently the turnaround is very quick to repair these handles.
That is coming from someone who used the service (not me) and why I made a note of them. I'd certainly use them if needed.