Long Range on Central Locking not working

[raz_1]

I'm having a problem with the long range use of my central locking key.

I have a 2003 E220 CDi with the three button key (locking, unlocking and boot release). Everything had been running great. The range from which I could use the key was great, I could unlock from inside the house with the car parked up to 50 feet away.

Now the key only works with the short range IR signal with the key held at IR receiver in the driver's door handle. All the functions of the remote are still there (locking, boot, windows etc) but I have to operate the key from no more than 2 feet away.

I have had some work done to the car including the fitting of two sunvisor screens, playstation and DVB Digital TV player into the car. However, everything worked for a good few weeks after. Though I had noticed that on the dome lighting in the rear, only the map lights work. The courtesy lights and ambience lighting do not. However, I do not know if this is coincidental.

Please help.

 

[mioba]

have you tried the obvious, perhaps replacing the batteries of the remote.

 

[jberks]

Does the problem affect one key or both?

 

[raz_1]

hey,

Yeah i have changed the batteries (first thing I tried). Also the problem is with both keys. Each of them were fine until one day when only the IR receiver was picking up on the signal.

Ive searched through the forums for weeks now, and am building up a picture of where the problems may be. So far I know that the receiver for the long range radio signal is in the rear view mirror, somewhere . can anyone confirm this and describe its mechanisms? Also can anyone tell me where I might replace the fuses as this seems to be the logical thing to do now. I know where the fusebox is, I just need a diagram/description as to which ones to change.

many thanks

 

[bitonw]

Well I had this problem years ago with a Renault 25 Turbo-D. The receiver was close to the rear view mirrow. After cleaning the plastic window what is in front the the receiver all was fine again. My girl friend used the car every day and was smoking in the car some this might make the small plastic cap dirty? Check yours, not sure if it the same since I dont' have an E.

 

[gvm]

Same problem!

I have almost exactly the same problem as the OP on a 1998 C-Class (W202). The long-range remote died at the same time as the front courtesy light cluster stopped working completely. The rear courtesy light still works, and the remote functions work OK on infra-red. I've checked every fuse I can find, and all are intact.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

gvm

 

[television]

The RF amps in the rear go down taking the RF signal with it.

Often at the same time the radio reception gets bad.

The very thin wires in the coax leads also break very easy very near the plugs

 

[gvm]

Interesting - where is the amp located? I've never noticed it in the boot.

That wouldn't affect the courtesy lights, though, and the remote stopped working the same day as the lights, just like the original poster here.

The whole light cluster is dead - map lights, courtesy lights, automatic and manual. A bad earth shared by the remote's radio receiver and the courtesy light cluster was my best idea, but I haven't found where the courtesy light cluster is earthed.

gvm

 

[television]

On a 203 its in the rear on your car its 20 in the link

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...416717.418&CT=F&cat=44V&SID=82&SGR=305&SGN=13

 

[gvm]

Thanks for the link - that site's full of interesting info (if a little difficult to interpret!)

Are you sure that part 20 is the remote locking receiver, though? It looks like a hand-held remote control for the in-car-entertainment (particularly since part 15 right next to it seems to be a carrying case for it). I'm not sure why you might want a remote control for it (for rear seat passengers, maybe?), but it sure does look like one.

Digging around on that site, I found this page:
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=202121&M=604%2E910&GA=722%2E426722%2E603&GM=717%2E416717%2E418&CT=F&cat=44V&SID=82&SGR=540&SGN=31
which claims to be the "Burglary alarm system and infrared closing system", but I can't see any antenna or radio receiver shown. There are a couple of "radio plugs" shown, but they look more like "theft-of-audio-system" detectors. It's a very detailed diagram though, and I'll need to look over it carefully.

Thanks

gvm

 

[television]

I miss read some thing on that link, this is the 203 version for the original poster

15 in the link

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.667&CT=F&cat=69J&SID=82&SGR=345&SGN=19

 

[television]

Item 5 is the amp on a 202

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...416717.418&CT=F&cat=45H&SID=82&SGR=345&SGN=20

 

[gvm]

Thanks for your help - I'll do some digging around in the car tomorrow and see if I can find anything.

Thanks

gvm