W210 key not turning

[rhopkin]

On 99.9% it is the EIS failing that is the reason for the steering lock not coming off, the key would still turn if the lock was faulty, as far as I know

Thanks for that Malcolm. I have voiced this to Mercedes Estepona based on previous posts from you and others but they insist on going down the steering lock route.

If it appears that the EIS is faulty and not the lock then we will not be paying for the lock. Luckily my Spanish is almost passable and my partners is nearly fluent so we are able to argue our point.

What's more she's Scotish so those poor lads at Mercedes don't know what their in for if they present us with a bill that inlcudes an item which wasn't faulty to begin with. :lol:

 

[George Millar]

Just a thought, could it be a micro switch in the auto box mechanism not recognising the vehicle is in P (Park). I have heard that the W210's have been known to have autobox selector issues which requires replacement of the whole unit in the cabin (not gearbox, just selector box) centre console.

I have been following this thread with interest as are the vast range of topics being raised.

E240 Elegance 2001

I had a similar fault last year,in fact there were two faults,one was the foot brake switch described as the "BAS Sensor Control Switch" (an unexpensive component about £12, a genuine MB which failed after a day or so and its reliability has been discussed from time to time on the forum) which meant I could not move the auto gearbox selector from "Park" without defeating the interlock with a long screwdriver.Even so I could not start the car due to the fault on the Floor Shift Control Unit which was later determined and is outlined below.

The other fault manifested itself as though the ignition switch had became loose and would not electrically"secure" the key when the key was inserted.The ignition switch was checked and its fitting was sound.

The fault was finally traced to the autobox selector which is described as a Floor Shift Control Unit (unit cost £362.46 +vat.) The integral solenoid, mounted on the unit had failed making the whole unit u/s and a complete change of the unit.(No doubt it is simple job to renew the solenoid which would give a repair shop a good return)

As I see it,the best indication of the the car being sound to start as regards this circuitry being healthy, is when the ignition key is inserted into the ignition switch there is a distinctive "clunk" as the ignition key is engaged in the ignition switch and its associated circuitry is energised.

I can tell you,its a most satisfying sound for me,hearing that "clunk" prior to cranking the engine.

 

[rhopkin]

Thanks for the above George it's very relevant and has crossed my mind. I think at this stage we're going to have to go down the route of Mercedes fault finding and see what they come up with. The car is miles away from home and can only be moved at considerable expense of a breakdown truck.

Malcolm and Alex have provided very useful insight as have others including yourself.

What's telling is that a group of Mercedes owners and independant Mercedes technicians using this superb forum seem able to come up with many more plausible explanations both quickly and efficiently with logical explanations as to why the fault is occuring yet the factory trained main dealers with every available Mercedes gadget or technical aid at their disposal are still scratching their collective heads.

With all that said though, we now have to await the steps the main dealer takes to fault find themselves. The area under the dash and steering column are in pieces, we're not going anywhere and they know it.

 

[zizobad]

hello mate i have a similar problem with a 1998 C180 i just got, the key wont turn, doors dont open, cant start car, please how did yu solve yours... zizobad@yahoo.com

 

[television]

hello mate i have a similar problem with a 1998 C180 i just got, the key wont turn, doors dont open, cant start car, please how did yu solve yours... zizobad@yahoo.com

Is yours the all plastic key

 

[rhopkin]

hello mate i have a similar problem with a 1998 C180 i just got, the key wont turn, doors dont open, cant start car, please how did yu solve yours... zizobad@yahoo.com

Hello Zizo

Sorry to hear about your problem. Mine is as of this moment not yet sorted (I'll be posting an update after this post thouhg) but Malcolm (Television) is your man, you need to respond to his question, he will point you in the right direction to get it fixed.

Regards, Rob

 

[rhopkin]

Update 29 Jan

OK, here is an update to the original post ant the start of this thread as I said I would follow through to a hopefully succesful conclusion.

Mercedes in Estepona were of the opinion that it the reason the key would not turn in our w210 270 Cdi Calssic Estate was becaus ethere was a fault with the steering lock. I had my doubts and have voiced these on this forum as well as to Mercedes but they insisted on going down that road (excuse the pun) first.

Having ordered a new steering column electric lock system and fitted it, surprise surprise, Mercedes "discovered" this was NOT the fault and so they have now ordered a new EIS which is what Malcolm, Alex and a few other thought it was to begin with. Bearing in mind I did voice this to Mercedes as well as the Independent mechanic in the very beginning though thet both elected not to pursue this line of fault finding.

Now, the problem was that they could not order the new EIS unit unless the vehicle was registered in our name (for obvious security reasons) and since it was purchased in the UK, driven to Spain and subsequently broke down within a matter of days, we had not started the re-registration process. When we did start the process (even though the car was now in bits at Mercedes) we found that the ITV (Spanish MOT) had run out several days previously and we could not re-register it until it had passed an ITV. Since the car will not start, it's kind of difficult to get it to the ITV testing station and so we had a catch 22 situation.

How we have got around this is to start the re-registration process, get as much official documentation stamped by the various authorities (local council, traffic police & road tax office) and then present it to Mercedes. Happily they have accepted this and so have ordered the part which should, fingers crossed, arrive Monday.

If the fault is indeed and EIS problem then we should get our car back by the middle to end of next week. I'll post again when we get the car back or a different prognosis.

........Thanks for reading and happy travels.

 

[television]

Yes in the wrong place at the wrong time

 

[zizobad]

mine is the 3 button all plastic key,1998 C180

is yours the all plastic key

i replaced batteries, did the digital camera thing, that was ok, but the key will not even budge, the steering unlocks after 1 min, but thats it. Hellllllllppppp!!!!!!

 

[television]

i replaced batteries, did the digital camera thing, that was ok, but the key will not even budge, the steering unlocks after 1 min, but thats it. Hellllllllppppp!!!!!!

It does appear to be the EIS ignition switch then

 

[rhopkin]

i replaced batteries, did the digital camera thing, that was ok, but the key will not even budge, the steering unlocks after 1 min, but thats it. Hellllllllppppp!!!!!!

Yep, I'd agree with Malcolm on that. EIS.....ahem. Mine is still being repaired as we speak and have yet to get the bill. Just surmising but the C180 unit is probably similar to our E270's in which case, as the say in Australia...........Brace yourself sheila, incoming

 

[rhopkin]

Update 7 Feb

Hi all

This is another update on our “w210 key not turning” issue which can be found at the beginning of this thread.

My partner sent the dealer an email on the 29th January (in Spanish) stating that we would like an estimate for the works and parts to fix the vehicle.

The email was never replied to nor was a phone call received by my partner so she decided to email the dealer once again on the 4th February which finally elicited a response.

The dealer stated that they had ordered a new key (despite me telling them the current key was functioning) which did not work and that now they had to order an “EZS”. I have no idea what an EZS is unless it is the Spanish equivalent of an EIS………if anyone can shed light on this I’d appreciate it.

Additionally, we have been given an estimate of €1251.85 (close to £1,100 pounds sterling) for parts and labour. The breakdown is as follows:

- Diagnose and repair affected parts – 4.5 hours @ 59.90 per hour
- subject to possible hidden damage, new parts may be needed for diagnostic purposes – “not included in quote”
- 035443 Directional Lock - €172.59
- Switch - €460.75 …. I’m guessing this is the EZS or EIS
- Key - €168.20
- Various materials €8.09
- Plus Spanish VAT

4.5 hours for diagnostics as well as a new key (which we did not order) is a bit much in my humble opinion. Surely, the Mercedes diagnostic machine can quickly pinpoint what the problem is if it is an electronic issue. Again, I’d be interested to hear any comments from any Mercedes mechanics with experience of this.

We will be writing to Mercedes Benz in Germany to respectfully air our views on this. I can accept that parts will fail on an older car but the time it has taken to get any response from the dealer and the outrageous time they have taken to “diagnose the fault” as well as the excessive charges for the privilege is unacceptable. The car has been off the road for three weeks as of Monday.

If anyone has the details of MBZ head office I’d appreciate them, otherwise we will start tracking down the correct department and people this week.

Thanks for reading and happy motoring.

 

[xavierx]

Why is the steering lock on your bill? Your old one was not faulty. I don't think they can get away with charging you for parts that were not faulty and you don't actually need. (If this was the case - every MOT would come with a new engine at full retail price :lol

Also I still maintain that I bet the issue is failure of power to the EIS

 

[rhopkin]

Update 13 February

Please see the beginning of this thread before reading this.

Well, we had a phone call from the dealer yesterday to say at long last the car was ready for collection. Upon arrival the bill was presented (€1166 Euros) and the car brought out for us to inspect.

Service manager explained (in English) that the EIS and steering lock were replaced and a new key had to be ordered. Reason being that all three units are "matched" to each other. I said that I was told differently by several Mercedes enthusiasts and an independent Mercedes specialist in the UK. We paid up though as we were desperate to get the car back having been off the road three weeks.

.....Like I had any other choice!

Into the night we drove and onto the N340 headed for home.

First problem, radio will not turn on, it's dead, no power. It was working when the car was brought to the garage.

Second problem, cruise control works but the settings are not displayed on the multifunction screen AND the system operates slightly differently than previously. The car does not decelerate when you take your foot off the accelerator like it did previously before being taken to the garage.

Third problem, some menu items are now missing from the multi function display in the dashboard.

Fourth problem, dealer says there is an impending injector problem on the car which causes it to misfire or start badly when the engine is warm. Approximate cost to fix €365 per injector. It all worked fine on the 2500 kilometer journey from UK to Spain last month.

I turned around and presented the car to the dealer again and explained the problems. They have now taken the car back, we do not have the car (AGAIN) over the weekend and have been told that they will call us Monday to let us know what it is and what it will cost (if any). I feel another well spun story coming on.

That is it as far as I'm concerned, I no longer want the car. In fact it is the first and last Mercedes I will ever own if for no other reason other than the extremely poor dealer support. I thought my Freelander was a bag of gremlins but this car really does take first place in the "awful" stakes.

I'm sorry guy's and gal's, I'm sure you love your cars to bits and let’s face it, a Merc is a nice car to drive and I was prepared to live with the car a bit longer before passing judgment but my brief experience of owning one has been an absolute nightmare. Yes, our car is getting on a bit but it's been well looked after, I think the dealer issues are what have put me off ultimately.

We also own a 1996 BMW 325i Cabrio, fully loaded with 150+ thousand miles on it. We've had the car three years, driven it in all weather......and crucially, have never had a single fault with the car, ever. My first expenditure on the car is about to be a set of pads and discs, the old ones are worn away to almost nothing. At our age, we no longer drive like boy racers so our cars have an easier life than most.

My other half’s son has just bought his first car. To put it politely, it's a fairly well worn Toyota Corolla circa early nineties, has umpteen million miles on the clock and a few nocks and dents and the paint is completely oxidized on the bonnet from the intense sun. But it starts first time every time, the engine is still tight, no leaks anywhere (I’ve been over it with a fine tooth comb for him) there are no creaks in the interior (even our BM creaks a bit inside), the gearbox is silky smooth and everything electrical works. Simple. He's already knocked the off side mirror away so has gone to the dealer to order one to stay legal. No problem, the part will be sent straight away and costs about €70 with all the electrical parts inside. Again, simple.

Clearly, Mercedes seem unable to provide this service to their customers. Even the replacement key they sent me is missing parts. Apparently the emergency mechanical key in my old unit will not fit the new one so I have to order yet another part...at the cost of €27 euros for ridiculously small piece of metal that slides into a key which has already cost €168 Euros……Nearly two hundred Euros…..for a key???

Who are they kidding? Not me, that's for sure, I'm already looking around for our next car and it's likely to be of the Japanese variety.

My boss is shopping for his next car and he had been looking at the new GL but after witnessing at close range the debacle with my car, he’s now looking at a Landcruiser so that’s two customers Mercedes have lost forever.

 

[television]

That is sad,, but I understand how you feel They have made a pigs ear out of this job,,and you the customer have had to pay for their lack of knowledge, threads like this were very prominent here in the UK when I first joined, and one of the main reasons that I started posting on here.

I wish you well and all the best,,sorry that we could not have helped more

 

[rhopkin]

That is sad,, but I understand how you feel They have made a pigs ear out of this job,,and you the customer have had to pay for their lack of knowledge, threads like this were very prominent here in the UK when I first joined, and one of the main reasons that I started posting on here.

I wish you well and all the best,,sorry that we could not have helped more

Hi Malcolm.

Yes, we're quite sad too about this car as it was our first Merc and we just loved it initially. Unfortunately, we don't have the time (or the energy) to be messing about with unreliable cars so this one is going to have to go.

A sincere thanks to you, Alexander and everyone else who contributed to help us fix the problem. Perhaps if the dealer's in Spain had the same knowledge and obvious interest in the Mercedes marque as is shown on this forum then we may well have kept the car.

All the best

 

[Alex Crow]

yes, shame you were not in the uk, your experience could have been so much better.

some early eis modules on the w210 cars will need new keys with new eis, as the old ones cannot be recognised - this is known.

the cruise control is wired in through the eis, and pehaps the eis has not been coded correctly? however you say that it used to loose speed before when you took your foot from the accelerator? this is not what cruise control is supposed to do - are you confusing cruise control for the LIM function (speed limiter)?

as for the radio, who knows, fuse perhaps? you should not be facing any bills for the above issues, and injectors only cost £130 in the uk...

 

[television]

The sad thing is that it would have been cheaper and better to have put the car back on the ferry and got it to Alex place just up the road from the port

 

[rhopkin]

yes, shame you were not in the uk, your experience could have been so much better.

some early eis modules on the w210 cars will need new keys with new eis, as the old ones cannot be recognised - this is known.

the cruise control is wired in through the eis, and pehaps the eis has not been coded correctly? however you say that it used to loose speed before when you took your foot from the accelerator? this is not what cruise control is supposed to do - are you confusing cruise control for the LIM function (speed limiter)?

as for the radio, who knows, fuse perhaps? you should not be facing any bills for the above issues, and injectors only cost £130 in the uk...

I'm not surprised at any of what you have said Alexander re: cost of parts, these chaps are having a very profitable laugh indeed in Spain.

Cruise control - Sorry, my mistake, it is a speed limiter and not cruise control, I used the wrong terminology.

 

[dieselman]

The reason why the "cruise"..Limiter function isn't showing in display is because it's in Cruise mode, not Limiter. Push the stalk in until the yellow light is on.