W202 Second Key won't turn/start car

[stevesey]

Just picked up my 98 C240 Sport, checking everything over and the second key won't turn when I put it in the ignition, but will lock/unlock car.

With the other key there is a solenoid type clunk when I put the key in, but not with the second one. Assuming it's a simple back to the garage/dealers for them to get it correctly programmed (as I've just picked the car up). But thought I'd ask here first (and we ar enow away for the weekend so I can't do anything until next week anyway).

Assume the soleniod noise is somehting to do with the steering lock and doesn't happen with the second key becuase it is not regocnised.

Also first key is a little stiff when removing it from the lock - is this normal?

Cheers

Steev

 

[television]

Hi Steev I dont think that anything can be done with the second key unless it has the pop out key blade, they can be replaced.

 

[BlackC55]

New key I am afraid. Dealer only part.

 

[stevesey]

Can't the dealer re-program them (seem to be the subject of debate elsewhere - they will try to sell you a new one, but if you make a fuss they admit they can re-program them).

Not that it matters much to me - I'll be expecting the garage I brought it from to sort.

 

[BlackC55]

The electronic key cannot be re-programmed anywhere.

 

[stevesey]

After doing a bit more googling I think I now understand the full situation with these keys.

.The RF lock/unlock functionality is separate from the ignition and can be synced with the car.
.The infra red ignition is factory set and cannot be re-programmed. Your ignition barrel is hard coded to only accept up to 8 keys - lose you key 8 times and you need a new barrel.

 

[stevesey]

An update - garage I got the car from have arranged for me to visit MB dealer to have key(/car) "re-programmed" (at their expense)! So we shall see.

I did find a MB presentation/instruction guide that suggested the 8 keys should have 24 rolling codes (and the garage guy said similar to me this afternoon after speaking to the MB dealer) - so perhaps some re-syncing can be done (does assume key doesn't have a hard fault, like duff infra red rx/tx).

Will update again next week.

 

[mercman_1]

keys

I have seen this discussion many times on this forum.A few weeks after we picked up the wifes C200 (2001) one of the keys stopped working when we took it back, the dealer took the old key away and came back with two new keys, the new keys even had the boot opening facility on them which was not on the original so we now have three working keys,This was all done in the space of 5 min so I assume that they have some sort of programmer available.
Bob T.

 

[aaalocks]

the keys are programmed at the time of manufacture, as previously said once these are all used new ecu , lockset and keys vvvvvv expensive

 

[alec2]

The second key you have been given does not belong to the car.

As the external locking and unlocking operated by rf or IR can be reprogrammed someone has taken a key for another car ane reprogrammed it for yours.

Unfortunatly the immobiliser function (ignition key) cannot be reprogrammed.

A new key is needed.

Alec

 

[stevesey]

An update - MB (Sytners, Bristol) plugged the car in and said second key had been blocked/barred so only thing to do was order an additional one (the expected outcome on my part). Couple of phone calls to garage I bought the car from and they argeed to pay for a new one. They weren't being obstructive just didn't understand the un-programmable nature of these keys - once they understood they new their responsibilities and agreed straight away (I suspect they will claim the cost from the insurance backed warrantly that came with the car anyway).

Looks like previous owner may have lost the key at somepoint and had it barred.

So I get a nice new chrome key

Sytners also ran a diag and highlighed a Crank Sensor Failure - but that's another story (will post in engine forum later, but car is back at selling garage tonight for that to be fixed).