99 ML 320 key code lock out
 

I purchased a 99 ML320 about a year and a half ago. I lost my key and called the dealership to get a new one. I was told that I had reached my 8 key lifetime max and that the ignition, computer chip and perhaps the door locks would need to be replaced...costing thousands of dollars and a lot of time.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

wow you have lost 8 keys.
u need the keyless and go stuff.
have the key card surgicaly inverted in your skin so you dont loose it.

just playing that sucks for you.

can you still drive the car but those dont use the infared

One of my clients' went through the same thing a couple of years ago, shortly after buying a used ML320. If I remember correctly, we had to install a complete lock set(doors, tailgate, ignition tumbler, and glove box), an All-Activity Module(AAM), and an ME-SFI(engine management) control module. Normally, it would have cost about $2500.00, but MB stepped up and picked up half of the bill. As it turns out, an MB dealer in Florida apparently mis-diagnosed the vehicle on two separate occasions, resulting in unnecessary key replacement both times. Were it not for this, two more keys would have been available.

Normally, if a dealer makes a mistake it's their problem, and MB won't take responsibility. In this case, I think they realized that the whole idea of limiting the number of keys per vehicle was just plain dumb, so they decided to help. Speak with the service manager and ask if they'll contact MB on your behalf. You've got nothing to lose by asking. Let us know what happens.

It will suck even more if he has the key "inverted" (inserted?) into his skin because the keyless go cards have the same amount of starts programmed into them as the keys, so he can have surgery when it runs out of starts or the card fails. "Call an ambulance, my car won't start!"
Gilly