Key Does Not Open Car Or Start Car!! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

page62 · #16 05-09-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

You'd be surprised how many people (including MB owners) do notknow that Benzes are covered by MB road service for the life of the car, no matter how many owners the car has had.

One day, I might just call MB Roadside Service for my '79. Hmmm...

rchase · #17 05-10-2006, 12:01 AM

DUH!

I forgot about the metal key inside the optical key. You could pull the metal part out and use it manually to get it to the dealership.

#18 05-10-2006, 12:08 AM

The alarm is set when you lock the car with the remote. If you unlock the car with the key the alarm will usually sound and the car won't start because the alarm system thinks you are trying to steal the car. It sounds like the remote has a dead battery. Look in the owners manual for insrtuctions on how to replace battery and re-synchronize the remote. Let us know what happens and good luck.

rchase · #19 05-10-2006, 01:35 AM

Hmmmm,

Kinda Ironic really. The older alarms disarmed when a "key" was put into the ignition or door. Its interesting that the system is not smart enough to realize that the optical key is legitimate. The optical key is supposed to work without batteries through inductive power.

Im glad my 99 has the "old" switchblade key. At least when something funky happens electronically Im not stranded.

Not sure why MB switched from the Laser cut keys to the optical system anyway. The Laser cut keys made it nearly impossible to steal the cars anyway. Ask anybody who has had an ignition cylender failure how hard it would be to steal one of these cars.

BENZ-LGB · #20 05-10-2006, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

Hmmmm,

Kinda Ironic really. The older alarms disarmed when a "key" was put into the ignition or door. Its interesting that the system is not smart enough to realize that the optical key is legitimate. The optical key is supposed to work without batteries through inductive power.

Im glad my 99 has the "old" switchblade key. At least when something funky happens electronically Im not stranded.

Not sure why MB switched from the Laser cut keys to the optical system anyway. The Laser cut keys made it nearly impossible to steal the cars anyway. Ask anybody who has had an ignition cylender failure how hard it would be to steal one of these cars.

Interesting...my 1998 E320 uses the "SmartKey."

rchase · #21 05-10-2006, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Interesting...my 1998 E320 uses the "SmartKey."

Yes so do some of the 99 C class cars. I was really surprised when they handed me a flip key at the dealership for the test drive. One would think that the S class would have been the first car equipped with SmartKey. But since the w-140 was on the way out when it was introduced they probably wanted to wait for the new 220 body.

Honestly I prefer the flip key over the optical key anyway. The optical key seems kind of strange in my opinion.

BENZ-LGB · #22 05-10-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

Yes so do some of the 99 C class cars. I was really surprised when they handed me a flip key at the dealership for the test drive. One would think that the S class would have been the first car equipped with SmartKey. But since the w-140 was on the way out when it was introduced they probably wanted to wait for the new 220 body.

Honestly I prefer the flip key over the optical key anyway. The optical key seems kind of strange in my opinion.

Then I take it that you'd not like the new "push-button" start system where you keep the key in your pocket?

The SmartKey is not so smart when you need to get a new one.

BTW, you can only use the metal insert to open/lock the doors, trunk and glove compartment. It does not turn on the ignition.

rchase · #23 05-11-2006, 12:23 AM

I dunno I like the concept of the keyless go system.... It actually adds some convenience for the added complication...... I don't think its worth the extra money though and it does add a bit of a security risk to your car..... I have read about people being able to unlock and steal keyless go equpped cars by camping out near the car overnight with a laptop and using brute force code cracking to fool the car into thinking that its correctly coded RFID chip is near......

With the optical key you still have to carrry around a key and its prone to more problems than the mechanical key without a lot of security added..... If a theif has access to make laser cut Mercedes Keys he probably has access to a roll back wrecker as well...... Most people don't pay much attention to a car with honking horns when its being towed away...... Especially if the tow truck has some bogus ABC parking enforcment magnetic sign on it......