W124 300D 2.5 Remote Start / Keyless Entry Thoughts? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 08-19-2012, 10:58 AM

Hey everyone,

I'm slowly widdling down my list of things to do to my on the 300D and among them are keyless entry/remote start.

In the past I've always installed a nice $30 keyless entry on my MB's. It has limited range but always has worked nicely. Valet 712T or Avital 2101L I believe.

I recently installed a Pyton 413 (4103P) in my buddy's 560SEL. It took longer but works fine and has amazing range (>500ft). It was only $60. This got me thinking maybe I should put that in my 300D.

As far as I can tell the unit can handle diesels. I'd probably have to add a switch over valve to the shutoff line so that the car can be shutoff electronically (unless the 602 has such a feature that I am unaware of)

For the 560SEL installation I taped the wires at the back of the ignition switch, something I'd like to avoid doing in the 124. It was a lot of work getting to them and splicing into them in an acceptable manner. I was hoping there was an easier point to access these wires but I'm not entirely sure.

I was just trying to get some of your thoughts on this, maybe I could just buy the kit, install it as keyless only and maybe later wire up the remote start aspects.

Does the 124 have the anti-theft system of the late 126's? I used that to tap into a few things.

Anyways. Enjoy your Sunday!

sixto · #2 08-19-2012, 01:14 PM

This topic comes up once in a while. If the unit doesn't have native features to support MB IDIs, preglow solutions include a separate remote channel to initiate preglow, a preset delay from trigger to cranking, and a circuit to detect the bulb off signal from the glow relay.

Make sure your switchover valve solution releases vacuum before cranking. It'll be interesting to see how you keep the mechanical valve for key use and electric switchover valve for remote in parallel.

You should be able to get power to the starter without messing with the wires at the key switch. You'll probably need power to the EDS module so it idles on cold mornings. Or crank up the base idle setting on the IP.

The W124 has a similar alarm to the W126 and in the same location even.

Sixto
87 300D

Jeremy5848 · #3 08-19-2012, 02:14 PM

The keyless entry part is perhaps easier, I put one in my '87 300D but it had no alarm so there was one less thing to worry about. You still have to buy or build a relay module to simulate the switch in the door; with that, the entire apparatus goes under the passenger seat next to the central locking pump.

I am in the process of designing a similar system for my '95 E300. As this car has a functioning alarm, I will need two sets of relays, one for the CL pump and the second for the alarm.

As Sixto has written, the remote start will be more challenging.

Jeremy

compress ignite · #4 08-19-2012, 04:32 PM

The Black Box of the remote actuator has...
It's possible to also tie into the Convenience Control/Sunroof System and
be able to remotely open/close the Sunroof.

The only problem is the Convenience Relay (In the Fuse Box Basement) acts
as the Gatekeeper for HOT or Always ON power to the Sunroof/C.C.

In my investigations, it SEEMS too complex to "Trick" the Relay into
opening the gate...MUCH easier to find a separate + Power source that
can be activated by the Remote's Relay to O. or C. the Sunroof.

The Convenience Control unit is under the Driver's Side rear seat.

Jeremy5848 · #5 08-19-2012, 04:56 PM

Older 124s that lack the "convenience" unit can still close the sunroof by the addition of a single relay.

Jeremy

JamesDean · #6 08-19-2012, 07:28 PM

Hmmmm. I'm not sure I have this continence control. I do know that my front windows have auto-down...

Jeremy5848 · #7 08-19-2012, 11:22 PM

If you have auto-down front windows, you have a convenience relay. Under the passenger seat, left side.

Jeremy

pmckechnie · #8 08-20-2012, 01:24 PM

James,
This is just a "It can be done with a Python". I did the keyless entry and remote start. I will look around and see if I can find the instructions and model number of the one I used. It works great except sometimes if the engine is already warm, it will fail to start.I think there is a minimum starter run time that I could adjust to give it just a little longer time and it would work fine. My car doesn't have the alarm feature so I can't comment on that. I used a switch over valve in series with the ign switch to enable/stop engine.
Thats about all I can remember for now. I did this job about 5 years ago and can't remember what I did yesterday.

But, It will work on a 91 300D 2.5
Paul

JamesDean · #9 08-20-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

If you have auto-down front windows, you have a convenience relay. Under the passenger seat, left side.

Jeremy

Does this relay effect the sunroof at all? My sunroof opens but does not tilt. I didnt think it was an electrical problem most likely something mechanical.

Jeremy5848 · #10 08-21-2012, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Does this relay effect the sunroof at all? My sunroof opens but does not tilt. I didnt think it was an electrical problem most likely something mechanical.

Yes, mechanical. The convenience relay should close the sunroof and all four windows. You turn the key to "lock" and hold it there for more than 5 seconds and everything should close.

If you change your mind a few seconds after closing you are supposed to be able to reverse the key (to "unlock") and the things that closed will re-open. I've never tried that with my '95 but that's what the manual says. You have only 10-15 seconds to do this, then the system shuts off.

Jeremy

JamesDean · #11 08-21-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Yes, mechanical. The convenience relay should close the sunroof and all four windows. You turn the key to "lock" and hold it there for more than 5 seconds and everything should close.

If you change your mind a few seconds after closing you are supposed to be able to reverse the key (to "unlock") and the things that closed will re-open. I've never tried that with my '95 but that's what the manual says. You have only 10-15 seconds to do this, then the system shuts off.

Jeremy

Interesting. I'll have to try it sometime. So is it purely a close-all device? or can it be used to open all windows/roof? I'd always thought there was a switch on the center console for such a thing..

300D-91 · #12 08-21-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

If you change your mind a few seconds after closing you are supposed to be able to reverse the key (to "unlock") and the things that closed will re-open. I've never tried that with my '95 but that's what the manual says. You have only 10-15 seconds to do this, then the system shuts off.

That's exactly how it works on my 91 300D

Jeremy5848 · #13 08-21-2012, 11:59 AM

I tried my '95 last night. Here's what I learned:

Lock car and hold key in "lock" position, all windows and sunroof close. Key must be held in “lock” position. During closing, if the key is released the closing stops and cannot be started again.

If you then immediately turn the key to "unlock" and hold it in that position, all windows open fully as long as key is held in “unlock” but the sunroof does not re-open. During opening, if the key is released the opening stops and cannot be started again.

In normal circumstances if you unlock the car and hold in “unlock,” the car unlocks but the windows don’t open. This "all open" feature apparently is not present in the W124 models.

Jeremy

JamesDean · #14 08-21-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

I tried my '95 last night. Here's what I learned:

Lock car and hold key in "lock" position, all windows and sunroof close. Key must be held in “lock” position. During closing, if the key is released the closing stops and cannot be started again.

If you then immediately turn the key to "unlock" and hold it in that position, all windows open fully as long as key is held in “unlock” but the sunroof does not re-open. During opening, if the key is released the opening stops and cannot be started again.

In normal circumstances if you unlock the car and hold in “unlock,” the car unlocks but the windows don’t open. This "all open" feature apparently is not present in the W124 models.

Jeremy

Interesting. I do wonder if such a thing could be implemented with enough tinkering.

pmckechnie · #15 08-21-2012, 12:16 PM

Brian,
The unit I put on my 91 300D was a Python 1400XP. At the time, It was the only one I could find that did remote start on a diesel. I'm sure there are others. It is a keyless entry and remote start, but no alarm. It will however arm/disarm a factory system if your car has one. Mine doesn't. It is a full feature system that will require some additional relays for some functions like interior light control. A starter disable feature is available that requires a relay also. I didn't put that option on my car. I don't want ANYTHING that will keep my car from starting when I want it to. In our shop, we saw many, many cases where a car wouldn't start because of an alarm systems that had starter kill features. The systems would malfunction and require a tow. We would get the vehicle after someone else had replaced the battery, starter, alternator, etc.
The Python is a border line DIY install. What I mean is someone without any electrical knowledge may have a hard time doing it. You will need to wire relays, etc.

Paul

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