Help! Smart key will not turn. 1999 C280
 

My daughter is stranded with her 1999 C280.

Here is what happened.

Opened door locks with remote. Key in ignition, door open. Buzzer was on for open door. Went to start the car and key would not turn. No release noise when inserting key into ignition. Now the remote door locks do not work. Lock the car with dash button. Get new batteries for smart key. Red light on smartkey lights when buttons pressed. Remote door locks still do not work. Key in ignition still won't turn. Get jump from auto club thinking that the car battery may be low. No effect, smartkey still will not turn in ignition.

(We do not have a spare key.)


Any ideas?

I have experienced this in a Dodge charger - same key, the key was dropped quite a few times before it let go of the ghost. Had to get a new key

That's dealer only territory. The key doesn't need batteries to start, i has a built in transponder that the electronic ignition switch energizes to read coding, etc... Sometimes they will wake up one last time if you press buttons while inserting violently. Otherwise it could be a steering lock, key or eis. Check fuses, etc then try another key, if you don't have one, try buying a valet key before paying diagnosis.