"Switchblade" Remote trouble......Help - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dr_Joe · #1 08-28-2006, 01:18 AM

I bought a 1998 SL last year, and it only had 1 remote, so I ordered another one from my local dealer ($211.00)

Well, the trunk button on this remote stopped working. The batteries are OK, and I resynchronized it but it's still not working. My dealership says it's out of warranty (13 months old)

OK, so I'll go back to the original remote, I thought. Not quite, the original remote works great, but when I put the key into the ignition I get a message on the display that says "START ERROR"

I called my dealer and he says there is nothing that can be done short of ordering 2 more remotes ! (no reprogramming available)

I've seen plenty of these remotes for sale on ebay. If they can't be reprogrammed, what are people doing with them ??

HELP !!!!!

rchase · #2 08-28-2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_Joe

I bought a 1998 SL last year, and it only had 1 remote, so I ordered another one from my local dealer ($211.00)

Well, the trunk button on this remote stopped working. The batteries are OK, and I resynchronized it but it's still not working. My dealership says it's out of warranty (13 months old)

OK, so I'll go back to the original remote, I thought. Not quite, the original remote works great, but when I put the key into the ignition I get a message on the display that says "START ERROR"

I called my dealer and he says there is nothing that can be done short of ordering 2 more remotes ! (no reprogramming available)

I've seen plenty of these remotes for sale on ebay. If they can't be reprogrammed, what are people doing with them ??

HELP !!!!!

I think $422 will solve your problem. I have one key thats worn and another one that still is in decent shape. Hopefully they will keep working for a while.

Gilly · #3 08-28-2006, 05:52 PM

This may sound stupid, but make sure you are aiming the remote AT one of the IR (infrared) sensors on one of the door handles (or trunk sensor if it has one)when you are pressing the trunk button on the remote.
Gilly

rchase · #4 08-28-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

This may sound stupid, but make sure you are aiming the remote AT one of the IR (infrared) sensors on one of the door handles (or trunk sensor if it has one)when you are pressing the trunk button on the remote.
Gilly

FYI the only thing thats 100% infared on the 140 is the remote windows. You can test this by putting your hand over the front of the remote and pressing the trunk release. It will still release regardless of an infared signal or not.

skiier3_9 · #5 08-28-2006, 06:27 PM

This is on his SL (r129) not a w140 BTW. I have no idea what the differences were between the two with regards to the remote/keyless entry systems.

rchase · #6 08-28-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiier3_9

This is on his SL (r129) not a w140 BTW. I have no idea what the differences were between the two with regards to the remote/keyless entry systems.

And your point is? I read the initial post. The 140's and 129's are very similar in the operation of their keyless entry systems.

Gilly · #7 08-28-2006, 09:18 PM

I could be wrong but I think it uses BOTH IR and RF for the trunk, if one fails the other may work.
Gilly

Dr_Joe · #8 08-28-2006, 11:59 PM

Thanks for the all the input. It's very frustrating because one remote all the buttons work, but it won't start the car, and the other will start the car but the trunk button doesn't work.

I bought 2 unused (but coded) remotes on ebay. There must be a way to reprogram these things !

rchase · #9 08-29-2006, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_Joe

Thanks for the all the input. It's very frustrating because one remote all the buttons work, but it won't start the car, and the other will start the car but the trunk button doesn't work.

I bought 2 unused (but coded) remotes on ebay. There must be a way to reprogram these things !

Wish there was. Think of it this way. You have a really nice car. $422 in replacement keys is a small price to pay for the fun you have with it.

Gilly · #10 08-29-2006, 05:06 AM

The transponder inside the key can not be recoded, they are programmed at the key facility for a certain car and that's all they will work with (you'll get the "start error" message if you get the blade cut and try to use it).
Gilly

Dr_Joe · #11 08-29-2006, 07:14 AM

That seems pretty obvious. The key that gives me the "START ERROR" message is the original key the car came with, and it has never been re-cut or re-keyed, and the rest of the remote still functions flawlessly (both RF and IR functions) ?!

How does the walet key work ? It's too small to contain a transponder, yet there's no "START ERROR" message when I use it.

Dr_Joe · #12 08-29-2006, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

Think of it this way. You have a really nice car. $422 in replacement keys is a small price to pay for the fun you have with it.

Well I suppose that's the philosophical outlook. I think what frustrates me the most is that the remote that failed is 13 months old. I've never had a remote fail on a car before, and now both of them aren't working properly for no apparent reason. (not dropped, not wet, not exposed to magnetic fields, etc....)

It's just dissappointing