Key Fob Range

[s5aif]

Hi, I purchased my 2005 mercedes c class about 3 weeks ago and it never really bothered me but i would still like to know why my key fob only works when i point it towards the driver side door handle. If i am more that 1 meter away it wont lock or unlock. Does anyone know what is wrong. Thanks.

 

[Blobcat]

It sounds as if the RF side of the key is no longer working. Pointing at the door handle is the IR part of the kety and enables you to open and close the windows. What it the range like on your other keyfob?
As you are still in MB warranty I would get it fixed soonest

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Could be the receiver on the car is not working, or the transmitter on the key. Try holding it near an AM radio and pressing the buttons, see if you can hear the inteference.

 

[s5aif]

When i bought the car the previous owner had lost the first key so i take it the one i have is the backup key. Are both keys the same or does only one of them have a RF sensor.

 

[Blobcat]

Both are the same, you should also have a small emergency key (basically just the metal bit from the normal key in a plastic holder)

 

[s5aif]

Ok. So if both keys are the same then there must be a problem with either the Fob or car sensor. Has anyone had this problem and is there a simple fix.

 

[television]

the first thing that effects the range of the transmitter is the battery within,have you tried a new one.

Malcolm

 

[s5aif]

Will pop out and get some new batteries. Hope that works.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I had exactly the same problem with my car. Tried both keys and they would only work from about 1 foot from teh drivers door. The cause is the electronic gubbins that enterprits the information received from the remote. Its not the actul receiver it's the bit that works out what to do with the information once it's received it.

Now you may want to sit down for the next bit. To fix it they need to remove big chinks of the dashboard as it's somewhat buried. The part cost £300 and the labour is around £400. I didn't pay for mine because it was still under warrantee (as I guess yours would be) but you are looking at around £600-£700 to get it fixed.

Based on your post I am 99% sure your problem is the same.

see my previous thread:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=18030&highlight=electronic+gubbins

 

[carabind]

Ouch!! Lets hope the warranty stands !