Possible key remote or EIS fault

[benzy007]

Hi Guys,

This is a new problem I'm having after my recent engine overheating issue as discussed in this forum.

Problem with the key initially started about 2 months ago, but it was not bad at all in the beginning so I ignored it thinking the battery was low in the key.

My car locks/unlocks fine with the remote key fob at all times.

When I put the key in the ignition, its not always recognised.

It fails to turn, fails to even unlock the steering, also fails to make a zaap sound when key inserted.

Its got so bad within the past couple of weeks that it would happen about 25 times a day (almost everytime I wanna start the car).

After fiddling around taking the key in & out a few times it would work.

It eventually got so bad 2 days ago it failed to turn at all.
Tried for over an hour, no luck.

I looked for a spare I had, I found it 6 hours later thank God.

Car worked fine with the spare without any problems whatsoever.

The spare key initially failed to lock/unlock the car but started fine, the red light was not flashing, so I changed batteries over now everything worked with the spare.

However, I've started to experience the same issues with the spare key now.

The car battery is good so I can eliminate that from reading other posts on the internet.

I tried the camera thing to see if the light flashes, the spare key does flash, but the 1st key which completely failed doesn't.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[television]

2 separate things here, the locking and starting are not the same.

The locking is done via the batteries in the key, and the starting uses the car battery via the EIS circuitry.

The problem is now that we do not know if it is the ignition switch or the key. I do recommend that you get the car to an indie as soon as possible to see if it is the switch or the key, it could be that both keys have failed

 

[benzy007]

2 separate things here, the locking and starting are not the same.

The locking is done via the batteries in the key, and the starting uses the car battery via the EIS circuitry.

The problem is now that we do not know if it is the ignition switch or the key. I do recommend that you get the car to an indie as soon as possible to see if it is the switch or the key, it could be that both keys have failed

Thanks for your prompt reply Malcolm (I thought I was the only one up this time).

I actually did take it to an indie, he didn't seem to know much, got the diagnostics done on star.

So mant stuff came up, don't know which is what...

The mechanic advised me to get new keys from the dealer, he said according to the diagnostic he did, there was nothing wrong with the ignition.

These are some of the codes:

EZS- Electronic ignition switch
Event- B1003 Undervoltage supply

Same code was on a diagnostic the same mechanic did back in 2009, but I had no proplem with the ignition/key back then at all.

Any thoughts?

 

[benzy007]

Some more:

ME-SFI- Motor electronics
Event: P202E-001 CAN message from control module AAC/TAC,
CAN signal interruption

P202C-001 CAN message from control module EZS,
CAN signal interruption

P202C-008 CAN message from control module EZS,
CAN signal interruption Drive authorisation

P202D-001 CAN message from control module Instrument cluster,
CAN signal interruption

 

[television]

What is the physical state of your keys, often when tied up with house key the plastic cases crack allowing moisture and rubbish inside.

You could clean the red lens on the key and the red one at the bottom od the ignition switch.

The only other thing is to get help from Mark who fixes these things

 

[benzy007]

What is the physical state of your keys, often when tied up with house key the plastic cases crack allowing moisture and rubbish inside.

You could clean the red lens on the key and the red one at the bottom od the ignition switch.

The only other thing is to get help from Mark who fixes these things

Keys are knackered, plastic case is cracked too.

I cleaned the key & ignition switch where they make contact, thanks.

Mark?

 

[television]

Then a good chance the keys are at fault, once the cases are cracked the moisture erodes away the printed circuitry. So what does one do first, I would chance a new key

 

[benzy007]

Then a good chance the keys are at fault, once the cases are cracked the moisture erodes away the printed circuitry. So what does one do first, I would chance a new key

Any idea how much a key would cost?

 

[television]

£225 they are expensive

 

[benzy007]

£225 they are expensive

Is that dealer price?

Can an indie do it?

Thanks.

 

[television]

That is MB only and you need a passport, the V5 plus a household bill and they normally like to see the car but not always

 

[benzy007]

Anyone shed some light on the above codes please.

 

[Miffy]

Its always worth a try to remove the key pcb, check all joints are clean, resolder all those that could look to have gone dry. Could the coil also have become semi detached so to speak?

 

[benzy007]

Thanks so much for your help guys.

Good news!!!

Both keys are working like a charm now, have been waiting a few days to post just to be sure.

I thought I was gonna have to spend money on a new EIS.

Took both the keys apart like Miffy advised (thanks).

It all looked good inside, every electrical components was in order, there was some dirt/dust on the board which I cleaned up, then I looked inside the empty key shell. At the very tip, there was some dust which looked like furball, It was mixed with cloth fibre (I wear alot of fleece track bottoms), so cleaned that out too, both keys.

Put the keys back together, & walla, it works perfectly every single time.

I figured, because the condition of the plastic key fob was very bad, cracked button area with a bit of plastic missing on both keys, foreign objects went in through there & ended up at the tip interfering with the signal between the key and ignition. 'Furball' would move side to side hence why it would start sometimes & would fail other times.

I would hate to think how many people replaced their keys or even worse EIS if indeed they had the same problem as mine.

Thank you again guys, really appreciate it.

 

[television]

Thanks so much for your help guys.

Good news!!!

Both keys are working like a charm now, have been waiting a few days to post just to be sure.

I thought I was gonna have to spend money on a new EIS.

Took both the keys apart like Miffy advised (thanks).

It all looked good inside, every electrical components was in order, there was some dirt/dust on the board which I cleaned up, then I looked inside the empty key shell. At the very tip, there was some dust which looked like furball, It was mixed with cloth fibre (I wear alot of fleece track bottoms), so cleaned that out too, both keys.

Put the keys back together, & walla, it works perfectly every single time.

I figured, because the condition of the plastic key fob was very bad, cracked button area with a bit of plastic missing on both keys, foreign objects went in through there & ended up at the tip interfering with the signal between the key and ignition. 'Furball' would move side to side hence why it would start sometimes & would fail other times.

I would hate to think how many people replaced their keys or even worse EIS if indeed they had the same problem as mine.

Thank you again guys, really appreciate it.

Why not buy a new case off Ebay or a good used key and transfer the PCB

 

[wildmann]

Hi benzy007, I'm no help at all from a technical perspective, but just to let you know that you are not alone. This is very frustrating. I've just posted a similar thread. I had the same issue 6 yrs ago, changed all batteries, car and fob, in the end it turned out to be the EIS..main dealer£700+..had a heart attack.
Anyway, I seem to be experiencing the same again. Exactly as you mention, sometimes it works other times your taking the key in and out and locking and unlocking for ages..I changed the battery in my main key fob yesterday..and still no joy..the problem is still there. I'm a little concerned that after just 6 yrs it is the EIS again!!!! I also took the car to an indie who stuck it on the computer..it came back with no faults! I do like the car..it's a pleasure to drive, but the amount of electrical problems that I have experienced in the 6 yrs that I've had it..shocking!(no pun intended..lol)..for such a supposedly top quality car. Would I buy another..not sure!

Anyway good luck.

 

[wildmann]

I'll try stripping my fob, thanks for the tip.

 

[wildmann]

Having said that..I've just tried and it's not so easy. So, how do I do it..don't really want to crack my case.