Technology Warning

[chipray]

It is exactly a week since my 2003 19,000km SLK320 refused to re-start after filling with petrol. Unfortunately for me this happened 1,000 miles from home, near Granada in Southern Spain. MobiloLife have been excellent, providing me with recovery to a dealership, taxis, a night in an hotel and a hire car. (Still got the hire car - a Renault Clio 1.5 DTi )

The fault on the car is to do with the electronics that 'interrogate' the ignition key (not the key itself, apparently) and can only be cured by parts from Germany, which are in transit according to the nice lady who phoned me this morning from Holland. Incidentally, the key can fail and cause the same problem ("start error" indication in odometer window) so it is a good idea to keep your spare key with you at all times.

The point of this post is not to moan about my misfortune or the inconvenience of having to do a 2,000 mile round trip to collect the car when it is finally fixed. It is more in the way of being a warning to others who are unaware of the modern security measures that can turn round and bite the innocent owner. Also it is to ask what on earth the designers are playing at introducing systems that can disable an otherwise perfectly healthy car for days? A working person on a tight schedule would probably be suicidal by now!

Seriously, are all you owners of the more recent models aware of this potential problem - and how many of you have experienced it first-hand?

 

[jberks]

Its a double edged sword. On the one hand, a simple failure can cause the entire car to be disabled, on the other, its saying that it can't validate your key so refuses to go. Something you may appreciate if someone jumps into your SLK with their key and tried to start it!

I has a less technological but equal problem the day I bought my old C class. Old fashioned metal key, jumped in, slid in the key and ... wouldn't turn. The barrel had failed and it had to go back to the dealer on a breakdown truck.

They should really have the part on a shelf in spain waiting for such an issue but I suspect that like my barrel, its coded to the car and only the factory is allowed to do this. In my case, they put me a spare barrel in and provided a key until the proper one came in a week later, not sure if thay can do something similar with the electronic ones though. Lets hope I never find out!

 

[chipray]

Yes, jberks, the parts ordered from Germany are coded to the car. At least the old-type barrel could be replaced from stock to get you home and only cause a short delay. I have owned two W124 Mercs that both went their entire lives on original ignition locks and are probably both still doing so.

My post is to warn others about the delay that ordering parts from Germany could cause them, and that there is no quick fix such as in your case.

I am retired, so this episode has not been a total disaster for me. I even look forward to the adventure of driving back to collect the SLK eventually - I will probably head back to the Costa del Sol for a few more days. It is only a couple of hours now to the deadline for leaving here to reach Granada in time for the Christmas shutdown tomorrow lunchtime, so fingers crossed. Otherwise it looks more like next Wed. or Thurs. for the trip.

 

[c320]

It is exactly a week since my 2003 19,000km SLK320 refused to re-start after filling with petrol. Unfortunately for me this happened 1,000 miles from home, near Granada in Southern Spain. MobiloLife have been excellent, providing me with recovery to a dealership, taxis, a night in an hotel and a hire car. (Still got the hire car - a Renault Clio 1.5 DTi )

The fault on the car is to do with the electronics that 'interrogate' the ignition key (not the key itself, apparently) and can only be cured by parts from Germany, which are in transit according to the nice lady who phoned me this morning from Holland. Incidentally, the key can fail and cause the same problem ("start error" indication in odometer window) so it is a good idea to keep your spare key with you at all times.

The point of this post is not to moan about my misfortune or the inconvenience of having to do a 2,000 mile round trip to collect the car when it is finally fixed. It is more in the way of being a warning to others who are unaware of the modern security measures that can turn round and bite the innocent owner. Also it is to ask what on earth the designers are playing at introducing systems that can disable an otherwise perfectly healthy car for days? A working person on a tight schedule would probably be suicidal by now!

Seriously, are all you owners of the more recent models aware of this potential problem - and how many of you have experienced it first-hand?

Hi,

I have a feeling this maybe my problem - what did it cost to fix?

I have also been told that it maybe something to do with a fuel sensot which is a common fault with the w203.

cheers

 

[chipray]

1. It is not fixed yet. Mercedes have just phoned to say the parts are in Spain but the car will not be fixed until next Wednesday (28th).

2. The car is not yet 3 years old, so I am hoping it is covered by warranty.

3. A bill of four figures would not surprise me in the UK, if it is not just the key - in which case probably a mere £100 plus labour (for the diagnosis) and VAT.