I have a 1996 C280, the problem is with the keyless entry. You have to be within 3 feet or less for it to work and sometimes it does not work at all. I have a S500 which works from 25 feet and a gs300 which works from 30 ft. I have replaced the bats and no difference. Is there anything else I can try? (daughters car)

That is why they went away from the Ir signal and went to the Rf signal.

Sorry,

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Is there any solution that you have found ?

Didn't the car come with two key/transmitters? Do you get the same result from the other one if you have it? My car also has sensors on the windshield side of the rear-view mirror and on the trunk lid. Do you get the same results there? If the poorest results are the driver's door, maybe that's a bad sensor.

I would explain it to you daughter that this is the way the "feature" works. The system was designed to work only on line-of-sight so that no one could intercept your code (unless you pointed it directly at them). With fresh batteries, mine works from about ten feet away. Ask her point the fob directly at the door handle from about ten feet away and give that a try.

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Hi,
My 1996 C280 works the same. Have to be within 2-3' for the the keyless entry to work.
By the way.. Does anyone know how I can turn off the green/red lights on the rear mirror? I don't know what I did but now they both blink when I press the button to open or close the doors.

Thank you,
Melinda

Check the remote battery then try resetting the remote. Instructions are in the owners manual.

Dan

Hello,
I have disconnected the battery, followed instructions"as per manual" and still I have this challenge of dual blinking lights on the rear view mirror. Any suggestions?

Thank You,
Melinda

When mine blinks red & green at the same time I know it's time to replace the battery in the remote.

OK, if you are SURE the battery in the remote is good and you have reset the remote using the instructions in the owner's manual then the blinking lights may indicate something is amiss with the ignition lock-out system. It is described a little in the owner's manual. If you engage then disengage the lock-out, it might get it back to normal. Try this. While sitting in the driver's seat, first, lower the driver’s window, then, lock the car with the remote, unlock the door with your hand(don't use the remote), open and close the door. The ignition should be locked-out. This is an anti-theft feature. Try to start the car. It should not start and both mirror lights should blink. Now, get out of the car, close the door, and lock/unlock the doors a couple of times using the remote. Everything should be back to normal, i.e. only one of the mirror lights goes on when the remote is used and the car will start. I tried this in my '96 C280 with no problems. If there IS a problem with your lock-out system, it may not respond normally and, I suppose, you could get permanently locked-out. Then again, a good time to discover any problem would be at home under controlled conditions and not stuck out in the boonies somewhere with your ignition accidentally "out-to-lunch". Even better would be in the parking lot of your nearest friendly MB dealer...just in case.
Good Luck, Dan

Don't forget about the old "stick the key in the door lock" function. You know...the old primitive method of entering a locked car. Works every time.

Good Point. How quickly we forget. That method DOES still work!