The Price of a Key

[Thex]

Hi Folks

When I bought my P Reg C180 Auto 1800 Merc, two weeks ago, it came with two electronic keys but only one works.

I contacted my local dealer for the cost of a replacement (expecting an £80 hit) to confronted with a cost of £120. Can I buy this cheaper or is this my initiation into the expensive world of Mercedes Benz?

Regards

THEX

 

[Parrot of Doom]

The cost can vary, it depends if your key has the removeable metal part, and how old it is.

I had only one key when I bought the car, and got a spare from the dealer. I had to pay full whack because the modern keys are different from the original keys, and the metal insert is not interchangeable between the two designs. Its possible to only buy either the metal or the transmitter parts of the keys, you don't have to buy them together.


Its not all bad news. There will be a reason the key doesn't work, and its worth investigating. The first step is to point the key at a digital camera or camcorder (a mobile phone camera will do), and press the button. You should see the LED light up.

If you don't believe me, try it with a television remote control first

 

[ribby]

...
Its not all bad news. There will be a reason the key doesn't work, and its worth investigating. The first step is to point the key at a digital camera or camcorder (a mobile phone camera will do), and press the button. You should see the LED light up.

If you don't believe me, try it with a television remote control first

Great tip - that is my lesson learnt for the day - may as well go to bed now, I can only learn one new trick a day...

 

[jberks]

Check out this post too
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=26895
The most common cause for the fob failure is the button and as ANYWEB shows, it is quite easily repairable.

 

[bigasotonuk]

HI,
If it has not been used for sometime it may just need new batteries and a resynch if your key is the same as mine single button to lock/unlock with key blade flicking out from the side by a small chrome button in one corner.
There should be a small red window when the button is pressed hold for a few seconds and this should visibly (to the naked eye) illuminate this tells you that the fob batteries should be ok.
The infra red should work as soon as you press the button for approx 1 sec then the battery ok illumination takes over as the previous post said this is checked with a digi camera.
If your key is the same as mine try another stealers as i have noticed from post on here there is a great variety of prices for the keys, my new one cost less than £70.
Don,t buy a second hand one from e-bay as they cannot be reprogrammed to another car.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Check out this post too
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=26895
The most common cause for the fob failure is the button and as ANYWEB shows, it is quite easily repairable.

My key is the same as in the link posted by jberks

 

[Thex]

Jberks, your a star (as well as, Anyweb of course!).

It was just as you said, the switch had broken loose. Key now fixed and operational. Many, many thanks.

Before I'd seen your post I tried my second nearest, local dealer for a replacement key. They wanted £100 + VAT so it looks like they may have a bit of a cartel running in my area.

THEX

 

[jberks]

glad to help.
And full marks to Anyweb for an excellent posting.

 

[bigtwin]

replacement key. They wanted £100 + VAT so it looks like they may have a bit of a cartel running in my area.

THEX

Your area being the UK - my local did me for just under £120 for a new fob and blade. Took a week too.

 

[anyweb]

great to hear this good news ! glad to have helped someone

cheers
anyweb

 

[Trev_T]

I've just bought a 2003 A Class but there's only one key fob.

There are some spare key fobs for sale on eBay, and there are people claiming to be able to re-program the two- button key fobs for another car. Is this now possible?

Also, where can i get a blank blade cut to match an existing key?

thanks

TT

 

[television]

I've just bought a 2003 A Class but there's only one key fob.

There are some spare key fobs for sale on eBay, and there are people claiming to be able to re-program the two- button key fobs for another car. Is this now possible?

Also, where can i get a blank blade cut to match an existing key?

thanks

TT

Any key from Ebay is a waste of money and they cant be programed.

Only from the MB dealer

 

[Trev_T]

In fairness, the seller does state that the re-programming is only for the door locking/unlocking, and it does not reset the transponder chip for disarming the immobilizer to start the car.

TT

 

[nogaromill999]

Well I'm a newbie here and have the same problem...the fobs are now £215 + VAT...so I'll be getting out my soldering iron ! Thanks for the tips....

 

[television]

Well I'm a newbie here and have the same problem...the fobs are now £215 + VAT...so I'll be getting out my soldering iron ! Thanks for the tips....

Hello and welcome to the forum,,if you get stuck just ask

 

[shelly.tod22]

I think different dealers provide the different rates so not sure about the exact price of the key.

 

[television]

I think different dealers provide the different rates so not sure about the exact price of the key.

All of the DAS3 keys are around the £200