c180 ignition key and door locking problem

[janaka]

Hi,
I've got a 1996 C180 and I can't lock my doors or take off the engine imobiliser.

I locked my door this evening but couldnt unlock it so I got replacement key batteries from MB and tried again.

The door opened reluctantly and managed to start the engine but when I switched off , I couldnt lock the doors again.

Now the imobilser has kicked in and I cant take it to a garage or let alone get to work tomorrow!

I thought it was may be the main car battery prob but no luck with a jump start.The lights on the rear mirror flashes when turn the engine but it doesnt respond as usual when I point and press the key at it.

How can I find out if its a key problem or some other prob connected to the alarm before splashing out on a new key?-It costs £120 takes a week and I havent got a spare!

Can anyone help/offer suggestions?

 

[MondeoMan]

Have you reinitialised the key after changing the batteries? I can't remember the procedure, but a search of the forum should turn it up. If you have and it hasn't made any difference, disconnecting the car battery for a while may help. Is the battery healthy?

 

[MondeoMan]

How's this for a coincidence? I've now got the SAME PROBLEM. It looks like my key is dead (new batteries haven't helped), I'm just lucky I had the spare credit-card key with me, else the naughty Benz would be on the back of an AA truck right now.

Useful tip: you can see the infrared signal if you look at the key fob through your camera phone.

 

[janaka]

C180 ignition problem

Thanks Mondeoman for that,

I tried starting using jump leads just to be sure it wasnt a batt prob but no luck.

Also, did the key re-setting as per owners manual.

Hey. I liked your idea for using the mobile to check the infrared but no joy either so it may be the key after all.

It never ceases to amaze me how imaginitve people can be!

But I want to be sure it is the key so I 'll go down to local (Colindale) MB and see what they say although they didnt seem to have any suggestions when I rang them today. I would have to wait till Sept 20th to book in for diagnostics!

One thing about the key though. I went through quite a thorough airport security check over the weekend ie key went thru xray machine. I wonder if that would have caused any damage.

The latest stay of play is at least I've managed to lock the doors manually and getting around on my bicycle!