c-class immobilizer fault help;;

dan777

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hi all im a new member and have just bought my 2nd merc a c-class c180 classic 1999 about 2 months ago but have a prob that i need help about 2 weeks ago i got in it and the key would not turn:( i changed the batterys and still did not work the remote works so it got recovered to merc dealer and thay have said the immobilizer key and unit is faulty and is going to cost £600to get a new key and reader i really cant afford those type of prices
i wondered if there was a easy fix to this or a by pass or something to get me going at less cost
thankyou
 

turbopete

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im guessing you have the all plastic 3 button key, same as i have. if thats the case, the part your dealer is talking about is the actual switch operating/immobiliser disarming, that you put the key in. as far as im aware there is no bypass for the system as it operates the steering lock as well as the immobilizer. does the car make a sort of buzzing noise when you put the key in? (ie is the steering lock etc coming off). i have read somewhere on here that if you leave the key in the ignition for a while (90 mins i think) they sometimes come good. other than that, the key etc will have to be replaced, as your dealers have told you.

and welcome to the forum.
 
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dan777

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im guessing you have the all plastic 3 button key, same as i have. if thats the case, the part your dealer is talking about is the actual switch operating/immobiliser disarming, that you put the key in. as far as im aware there is no bypass for the system as it operates the steering lock as well as the immobilizer. does the car make a sort of buzzing noise when you put the key in? (ie is the steering lock etc coming off). i have read somewhere on here that if you leave the key in the ignition for a while (90 mins i think) they sometimes come good. other than that, the key etc will have to be replaced, as your dealers have told you.

and welcome to the forum.

hi yes i have the 3 button type but no buzzing noise
 

turbopete

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ry leaving the key in the ignition for about 90 mins to see if it will re code itself. it costs nothing apart from time. if still no joy (ie the steering lock doesnt come off) its a new key assembly etc im afraid. my e class makes a short buzz type noise when the steering lock etc comes off. incidentally, the batteries in the key have no relavance to the problem as they are only for the remote side of things. its the red bit in the end of the key and the hole you put the key in that are relavant. do make sure these are clean too as this has been known to stop them working in the past, i believe
 

bigasotonuk

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C43/55 AMG 1999 / C230K 1997
Hi,
Have you tried your spare key?
As it simply could be your key that is duff.
As Pete has said the theres no way of bypassing the immobilser circuits on cars fitted with this type of key and ignition switch, well I suppose you could, if you were to replace the cars main ECU with a bespoke system which in the scheme of things is impractical.
 

Alex Crow

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try putting the key in, pressing the lock button for FIVE SECONDS, and pressing the unlock button FIVE TIMES. this is supposed to reset units that have timed out with age and use cycles.
 
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dan777

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ok thanks for all the help i will try these things out hope something works ;)
 

kevinjhickey

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1996 C180 allarm problem

can anyone help 1st post I am the owner of a C180 1996 esprite but at the moment there are no lights in the rear view mirror to disable my alarm but when I put the key in the ignition the lights flash car is immobilised
 

bigasotonuk

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C43/55 AMG 1999 / C230K 1997
Hi,
Flashing mirror light are normally a sign of flat remote batteries.
Do the mirror lights not work when unlocking/locking the door?
 

Alex Crow

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he doesn't say if they are flashing alternately or together andy, or if the central locking is working. kevin, please answer these questions.
 

dervmerc

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hi all im a new member and have just bought my 2nd merc a c-class c180 classic 1999 about 2 months ago but have a prob that i need help about 2 weeks ago i got in it and the key would not turn:( i changed the batterys and still did not work the remote works so it got recovered to merc dealer and thay have said the immobilizer key and unit is faulty and is going to cost £600to get a new key and reader i really cant afford those type of prices
i wondered if there was a easy fix to this or a by pass or something to get me going at less cost
thankyou

I had a similar intermittent problem as you describe with my last C-class.You don't say if it's permanently u/s.Has it just happened and not worked since?

When this fault occured with mine the steering lock does'nt buzz which means the key is'nt recognised and the steering lock remains on.I could guarentee that when it did this,if I locked the car using the key fob and left it 10 mins and tried again it had reset every time and it worked. You may not of been lucky enough to of had the same fault but it may be worth trying to see if it works.If not then it looks like the ignition switch assy needs replacing.What I did was'nt a solution and bearing in mind the awkward places where it might not start it needed sorting.
 


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