Dead C Class 203

[rel-71]

Hello, Can anybody please help me. My C class has died! The key won't activate the alarm, open the doors, turn the ignition etc... I have had a new key from mercedes today and still no joy. Battery fully charged. If you know how to turn the steering lock off then please say as the wheels are turned, so i can't even have it recovered. Any suggestions please.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Your electronic ignition switch has gone down. You need to get it replaced. it must be order to chassis number and the a programmeing key which is also required.

The new switch will have to be programmed on star but if you get the switch and programe key the you will be able to move steering

 

[Aussie Nick]

Hi. Once the steering lock is in the armed position I do not believe you can release the ignition lock to replace it . You have to free the steering lock first before you can change the ignition lock. Try running compressed air down the keyhole and jigglling the steering after reinserting the key. Keep repeating the procedure. Patience and perseverance.

 

[television]

Not on the 203 Assie,, the ignition switch fires the steering lock and that is seperate

 

[rel-71]

esi

thanks for the advice, but i dont understand why the central locking and alarm can not be operated do they run through the ignition switch?

 

[Aussie Nick]

Yes sorry. I should have qualified my post that the advice was related to the W202Thanks Malcolm. Obviously someone at Merc woke up to the design flaw with the 202. Either that or the engineers received quite a few thinly veiled death threats.

 

[FIBAMAN]

Have experienced exactly the same problem on my wifes 01 c180, could not get access any way. Fortunately mobilo life cover was still valid I think the car was only 4 years old at the time with less than 30,000 miles on. Car had to be recovered by dealer, who had it a week and replaced a main processor unit somewhere in the boot I believe, cost me about £600 but Merc paid half (so I was told). Start saving.

 

[amb67]

Hi REL-71

Before you start ordering parts that are coded to chassis and are extremely expensive, have you done a few basic checks? (Once ordered they can't be sent back to the parts department or refunded)

Have you checked all of the fuses that relate to the door locking, EIS etc....? If not do this first.

After that, do you have Mobilo in place?

No, then you may need to get the AA or some similar organistion out to have a look. Or possibly find a friendly Mercedes-Benz technician who will come and have a look in his/her own time. You can use Mobilo but they will charge you about £100 to assist you and maybe more if you need recovery.

Really with problems like this you need the Star Diagnosis machine to pin point the defect. Chances are it is the EIS unit as they have proven to be pretty unreliable on the Mercedes-Benz 203's etc....

Let us know how you get on.

 

[rel-71]

booked car in at mb today, but now all of dashboard is lit up like a christmas tree all ignition lights are on and i was able to remove gear selector out of park but the car is parked on the drive all locked up only aware of this because a neighbour noticed as he walked past also cooling fan keeps starting and stoping on its own anyone ever come across this before?

 

[amb67]

Yep, I've seen this before and if I remember rightly it was all down to the BCM. When the battery control module goes down the consumers like the cabin heaters, lights etc all that start drawing current from other areas and that causes all the symptons you are experiencing.

Should be a simple repair for a Mercedes-Benz retailer, they'll diagnose it in an hour or so and take a few hours to replace it. It won't be anything they haven't seen before.

Bad news is it could cost you upwards of £500.00, have you any warranty on the vehicle?