remote starter installation in 1997 c280
 

Hi

I am in teh processs of installation a starter in a 1997 c280... I am having problems bypassing the factory starter kill relay. My schematics tell me there is a violet/green wire (+) to bypass the relay but I am unable to locate the relay or the wire.

Can anyone help me?

Thanks
john

Hi.. after further troubleshooting I have found that the car WILL start when the key is in the ignition (without the key in the ON or IGNITION position)... just as soon as I insert the key in without turning

is there a) a bypass for this car (i could not find one listed)
b) a keysense wire (my schematics dont list one?

if anyone could help that would be greatly appreciated

thanks again,
John

Engine immobilizer activated by encoded key. You must have the key in the ignition slot for the car to start. Bypass the starter-kill all you want, you have to bypass the encoded key anti-theft system.

BTW, it can be done, but it's tough. The switchblade key is not as robust with anti-theft as the SmartKey, but it's pretty good. We did an ML with the same system and created a key embedded to fool the anti-theft, and the AMM computer "figured" out what we were up to (since it found two keys at the "same" time) and WROTE OUT all the keys to activate the anti-theft. You don't want to know what it cost to fix. Ugly.

You can take one of you existing keys and install it inside the column to fool the encoding system, but that won't work very well. The computer will see two keys and react to a "theft" situation.

I've been out of the biz for a few years, but I highly doubt MB has released the encoding for the Switchblade key. You might be able to buy an aftermarket module if they have, but MB is pretty picky about that stuff. Some company might have broken the encoding and produced their own bypass module, and that is your best bet. Might be pricey as MB's are low volume and not having MB's cooperation in the encoding would make it expensive to initially crack the code alogorithim.

Hey blackmercedes, thanks for your reply and your help...
You were actually the one i was hoping that would reply.. was reading some of your other posts and can tell you are definately experienced with your MB's..

How come all of my suppliers say there is no bypass for this vehicle?? You're saying even the switch blade keys have the anti-theft? If I can't find the module.. I should not bother trying to bypass the immobilizer?

While i have your help.. can I ask you one more thing? While the car was at the shop.. the driver side rear door lock started acting up... it would not lock?? I know the car has the vacumm locks... it would unlock, but it would not lock. Any diagnostics for me??

Thanks a lot again--

John

Probably because there is not one available. Mercedes has a "corporate" anti-remote-start policy. I would not see them releasing the encription keys to any third party supplier.

Yes, the switchblade keys are encoded keys. If you can't buy a module, I doubt you'll be able to bypass the immobilizer. We were unable to break the encoding and had to resort to constructing a "key" to use in the circuit. Unfortunately, the system is quite intelligent, and once it saw we had more than one key in play it locked out all the keys. Other make's systems we did, the car's security would ignore the "fake" key when a real key was being used. Not MB's.

I think that even if you manage to bypass the immobilizer, it will be temporary. The security computer tracks the keys. On the ML we did, the car allowed the "two" key set-up for a few days, then went into lock-down.

Truthfully, if you are having trouble at this stage, I doubt you have the skill to either construct a dummy key encoding system or to truly bypass the immobilizer. We had experience in bypassing systems on every make of car, and were blocked by MB's superior system. We had access to MB computers allowing us to manipulate the keys and enter our dummy key into the car's system. I doubt a dealer will let you do that.

The SmartKey systems are WORSE. There is no way to contruct a dummy key set-up since the key must physically be in the EIS for the starter circuit to engage. Even by rigging up a "dummy key" the system ignored it. It required a real key in the EIS. With both RF and IR systems, 128bit encription, and other safe guards, the SmartKey is one of the best systems available, period.

Oh, and I REALLY hope you're using an ECM safe test lamp if you are probing wires. The ECU's are very sensitive and you can fry expensive electronics if you're not. If you're not using one, stop now.