Key won't work :confused:

[mrmerc]

I have a 2000 clk

Anyway the other night as i was walking out of the gym i dropped my car keys/fobs.
when i got to my car it wouldn't open and no red light when pressing the unlock button.

i took the metal key out and opened the doors and once i got inside i relised the key is like a rattle. I think i may have broken somthing inside when dropping it.

Now what i wondered was do they open up completly? and how do you open them? I have managed to get the battery compartment out.

thanx or any help!!

chris

 

[mrmerc]

anyone?
got the key here and trying my best to get the insides out but it's
not moving.

chris

 

[mrmerc]

also the spare key opens the doors but wont turn once in the ignition.
any reason why that would be? or does anyone know how to fix that?

cheers
chris

 

[ddentrec]

The key is coded: when you insert the key into the lock, the immobiliser disengages the barrell lock and off you go.

Sounds like you have broken the key internals. Anyhow, you have most cetainly lost the key's programmed code if you took the battery out.

If you go to your feindly (sic) Merc stealer with a broken key their eyes will light up as it makes them lost of money: it will horrify you what they will charge for the replacment key plus re-coding it (guess: £70 for key plus £30 to code it).

But try eBay first: you could get hold of a used key and get it programmed, or try a merc breaker like Mercman.

 

[mrmerc]

thanks for your help!

what about the spare key? it opens the doors, but also cant turn it once in the ignition?
this one should work, do i need to sync it with the car again?
how do i do this please?

cheers
chris

 

[ddentrec]

Methinks the spare key has a flat battery.

 

[mrmerc]

yep i thought that so i changed it.
really strange because it opens the doors and when i place it in ignition the radio comes on, but still can't turn it.
i have been in contact with merc and they want £200 to sort it.

 

[john_boy]

i allways said going to the gym was no good for you !!

 

[lastmanstanding]

Hi

I've had similar problems with my CLK 320 year 2000 keys not turning. The MB Stealer told me that I had a faulty ignition switch which was not covered by my warranty, ended up costing me £600 to repair and a lot of hassel with the stealership and 3 weeks to get my car back!!!.

Anyway.....

First thing to do is change the batteries for the spare key. If it still opens the car but does not turn the ignition...you may just need a new set of keys....(spare keys lose the ignition code due to lack of use and drained batteries) and your main key could have been broken due the drop.

A new set of keys will cost around £100 and take upto 5 days to be delivered and 1 day to re-program.

Beware of what the stealership say (I still think the stealership conned me into getting a new Ignition switch and set of keys) they will try to get as much money out of you as possible with stuff like Diognostic work" (£79 per hour) etc.....

I had no previous advice on this matter and had to pay over the odds....hopefully you will have more luck then me.

Word of warning when they return your car DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL YOU HAVE CHECKED EVERY SWITCH, ELECTRIC MOTOR, OPTION AND BIT OF BODYWORK, because things have a tendency to go missing or stop working after visiting a stealership.

Good luck

 

[joe bloggs]

You won't loose the code when taking out the batteries, the reason an unused key appears not to work is that the revolving code (the code on the car and the key move on every time it is used) has moved too far and the key then will not recognise the car, usual cure is to put the inop key in the slot and leave it for a while (we leave them overnight in the workshop) - sometimes not practical i know, but if you can lock it with the mechanical key it should be ok. They will happily rattle through all the codes available until they match up again. This will not work on any old key as the fixed code must also match.

The ignition part of the key does not require power to work, only the remote locking.

To remove the innards with the battery holder out, a sharp knock downwards should dislodge the gubbings.

Dealers cannot code these units, they are ordered all coded and should work out of the packet. (you will need good ID,and your registration doc. before they will order anything.

The ignition switch however (if required) arrives blank from MB, and is followed by a "green Key" next day, which is used once only to program the new switch, and then returned (empty of data) to MB. They do not allow dealers to code anything.