IR key not turning in ignition...help!!

[Don777]

W210 E320 cdi estate - when I put the key into the ignition, it clicks as per normal but then WILL NOT turn. Absolutely wierd as yesterday it was fine.

I've just had the Crank position sensor replaced (at great cost because it wouldn't come out so they had to remove greabox ), and they said that the battery had gone dead (why I don't know), but the key has worked since then.

I thought maybe the battery was low even though it's only 6 months old, but jump starting didn't help. The car locks/unlocks fine via the remote function on key.

The only thing I can see is a light covering of dirt in the ignition 'hole' sensor, but it's always been there.

Any ideas?..please help, thanks.

 

[Pipemaster]

Flat key battery

could the battery in the key be going down? it may have enough juice to relay dat for the doors to be unlocked but not the ignition? I had some probelms with an SL 129 which wouldn't disarm but would undo the locks and it was that problem. I realsie your key system is different though..

 

[eric242340]

Ive just read this five times and still im confused. You need to have a test done on star diagnostics to give some idea as to the problem, and go from there.

 

[television]

Ouch this does not sound good and is complicated to explain.

Number 1 the car should not have been left on the STAR diag without a mains supply back up.

If it has codes B 1156 or 1148 providing there is no fault these can be cleared.

If the Engine ECU is not receiving 12v owing to the fan going down it will not crank (key will not go to start)

Some times it is possible to re set the EIS but more often than not it will require a new switch £400 +

Had the car been backed up, this would not have happened.

 

[eric242340]

Ouch this does not sound good and is complicated to explain.

Number 1 the car should not have been left on the STAR diag without a mains supply back up.

If it has codes B 1156 or 1148 providing there is no fault these can be cleared.

If the Engine ECU is not receiving 12v owing to the fan going down it will not crank (key will not go to start)

Some times it is possible to re set the EIS but more often than not it will require a new switch £400 +

Had the car been backed up, this would not have happened.

Yes Malcolm it sadly it does look like an EIS problem. Not a cheap fix unfortunately. I hope we are both wrong on this.

 

[jberks]

Does sound like th EIS - but before jumping on that one, do you have another key?
As I understand it, the key has 2 separate circuits and batteries so the fact that it opens the locks does not determine whether the ignition will turn. The 2nd battery isn't replaceable but recharges from the keyhole when in use.

If you have one, try the other key first.

 

[television]

Does sound like th EIS - but before jumping on that one, do you have another key?
As I understand it, the key has 2 separate circuits and batteries so the fact that it opens the locks does not determine whether the ignition will turn. The 2nd battery isn't replaceable but recharges from the keyhole when in use.

If you have one, try the other key first.

good thinking Batman

 

[Don777]

Thanks,

I tried the other key, but same outcome.

Unfortunately i'm out of the country at the moment so can't try it again.

If the car battery is low, would that cause a problem like this?

I read somewhere else that disconnecting the battery (assuming it's fully charged) for 30 mins and then reconnecting. Then 'resetting' the key. Sounds like shooting in the dark to me?

 

[television]

Thanks,

I tried the other key, but same outcome.

Unfortunately i'm out of the country at the moment so can't try it again.

If the car battery is low, would that cause a problem like this?

I read somewhere else that disconnecting the battery (assuming it's fully charged) for 30 mins and then reconnecting. Then 'resetting' the key. Sounds like shooting in the dark to me?

It is worth a try as things can lock up, a re set may work.

 

[Don777]

Thanks, will try when I get home and let you know the outcome.

 

[shafi]

Our E220 M-reg had a flat battery. Recharged the battery. The infra-red sensor of the key fob does not talk to the driver's door (no green light response) or to the boot. The alarm light (red blinking light on the dash dashboard. The key fob battery is fine (red light comes on briefly when pressed).

When open the passenger door by turning the key the alarm set off. They key does not turn after the position 3 in the ignition. Tried to synchronize the key but still no luck. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Shafi

 

[television]

First check the beam by pressing the button in front of a digital camera

 

[shafi]

E220 ignition key not turning

Thanks, As I mentioned the red light on the fob comes on briefly when I press the button. Is there anything else the digital camera will detect?

Shafi

 

[television]

Thanks, As I mentioned the red light on the fob comes on briefly when I press the button. Is there anything else the digital camera will detect?

Shafi

Oh yes the red LED does not mean that it is working, the sender is in the end inside the little round red lens, point it at the camera and you should see the pulsing IR signal as the picture

 

[shafi]

I followed your instruction, I cannot see any emitting light through my digital camera. Do you think, it might have been damaged during the security scanning through the Airport x-ray machine?

Mercedes at Nottingham are struggling to sort it out and I am incurring £85/hour diagnostic bill. I went to the garage and tested the key and told them that it seemed that the key was faulty. The technician was not there, who will talk to me this afternoon. They are trying to get the diagram of the circuits of the car from their head office.

Any further advice from you will be greatly appreciated.

Shafi

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Shafi it sounds like you have a Scorpion Alarm fitted these were fitted to uk cars by the main dealers/importers from new.
You say that your key won,t go past position 3, as the switch is purely mechanically operated at this age vehicle it will be the switch is at fault.
But i suspect it does go past position 3, to crank but as the alarm is not working correctly the engine does,nt crank as this is possibly what the alarm immobilises. (immobiliser stuck on).
This type of key suffers from batteries wearing out very quickly if mine is anything to go by, may sound stupid you have not mentioned weather or not you have replaced the fob batteries. Also problems can arise from the red and green leds being blown they all have to work, on mine i have 1 red and 1 green on the rear view mirror and the same on the drivers door where the lock should be.
With this in mind and the fob still does,nt work the immobiliser can be disconnected via the alarm control box in the front passenger footwell (on c class possibly same position on yours).
The car can be then used (obviously with no operable alarm) locking and unlocking with the key.
Try this link (posted by a fellow forum member) it may be of some use if you can identify which type of Scorpion alarm yours is,

http://www.boopolo.com/alarms/alarm.html

I think the number of the alarm is on the siren and/or the control box.
Hope this has been some help keep us posted on the outcome.

 

[shafi]

Thanks Andy,

The fob battery seems to be OK because the red led flashes briefly. The green leds on the drivers door and the boot does not flash at all.

The key does not turn after position 3. It simply stops after position 3 and all the dash board lights come on.

If the switch is faulty what would be your suggestion? Change the ignition barrel or we need to replace the whole ignition system?

Thanks for your valuable advise.

Shafi

 

[eric242340]

Thanks Andy,

The fob battery seems to be OK because the red led flashes briefly. The green leds on the drivers door and the boot does not flash at all.

The key does not turn after position 3. It simply stops after position 3 and all the dash board lights come on.

If the switch is faulty what would be your suggestion? Change the ignition barrel or we need to replace the whole ignition system?

Thanks for your valuable advise.

Shafi

It looks like you need a test done on Star Diagnostics and its the only way to move forward on this problem.

 

[anyweb]

Thanks Andy,

The fob battery seems to be OK because the red led flashes briefly. The green leds on the drivers door and the boot does not flash at all.

The key does not turn after position 3. It simply stops after position 3 and all the dash board lights come on.

If the switch is faulty what would be your suggestion? Change the ignition barrel or we need to replace the whole ignition system?

Thanks for your valuable advise.

Shafi

just because the LED flashes does not mean the batteries are ok,

buy new ones, replace them and test again, its the cheapest way by far of finding out the source of the problem.

 

[bigasotonuk]

just because the LED flashes does not mean the batteries are ok,

buy new ones, replace them and test again, its the cheapest way by far of finding out the source of the problem.

I agree change the fob batteries first regardless, before looking any further.
Disconnect car battery for 5 minutes then reconnect, try the fob again, if not try a re-synch.
Keep us posted.