New Merc owner

[gio_vj]

Hi All:
I have recently purchased a C180 Classic, 1997 Merc. Would appreciate if I can get answers to few unanswered queries:

1) Remote locking- It works but the key fob should be pressed from just behind the car pointing to the rear view mirror and not far away. I haven't tried changing the battery yet. I know its a infra red system, but TV remotes work from quite a distance. Why doesn't the remote work from far away i.e at least 100 meters away, thats what is meant by remote isn't?

2) Radio aerial- That works too but seems very annoying. If the radio is switched on whenever the ignition is turned on or off the aerial would come out or in making a noise. Can I not fix it in one position still connected to the radio ?

Kind regards

 

[jberks]

Hi,
Congrats on the new motor.
The remote locking was always a bit fussy on that model, I suspect thats why they introduced the radio transmitter on the later electronic key models. I doubt a new battery will make much difference, though for the cost it may be worth a try, but also make sure the mirror glass is clean. My dealer always user to replace my batteries for free, don't know whether they all do.
On the radio front, there is a wire (usually Yellow) on the back of the radio that is energised when the radio is on. This controls a relay which in turn controls the ariel. Hence, when you start the car, the aux circuit is temporarily shut off so the radio goes silent and the ariel goes down. Normal behaviour.

If you disconnect the wire, the ariel will stay down, so you have to switch on the radio to get the ariel up, before disconnecting the main power to the ariel motor if you want to stop it going down again. It will then probably be snapped off by some young toad and you know the rest. Personally I'd leave it alone.

 

[gio_vj]

Thanx for the useful reply jberks.

Following on the remote aspect, can I put a radio transmitter fitted, if so how much does that cost?

On radio aerial aspect, I think I will live with the noise.

 

[colinlowe]

hI GIO, MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A 97 C36, AND THE AERIAL DROVE ME BARMY IN THE END, I DISCONNECTED MINE AND FITTED A REAR WINDOW AERIAL, WHICH WORKED FINE, ALSO MY CAR WAS FITTED WITH MERCEDES CAR KIT WHICH HAD THE AERIAL BUILT INTO THE ELECTRIC FM UNIT, AND THIS DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WITH THE AERIAL DOWN.
THE CENTRAL LOCKING, YOU WILL GET USED TO, IT CAN BE CONVERTED TO RF USING SYSTEMLINE COMPONENTS, BUT THE KEYFOBS ARE QUITE CUMBERSOME.

 

[jberks]

Gio,
There is no simple way of converting the system you have to the newer merc electronic system as the entire locking system, down to the steering lock is different.
There are a number of after market alarm systems that would hook in, but this then means you would have 2 key fobs rather than 1. Personally I like as few plastic boxes in my pocket as possible.
As any solution would be expensive and give no advantage other than range, I'd live with it. As Colin says, you'll get used to it.