Ml320 2002 start error
 

First off I'd like to say thank you all for reading this, and thanks advance to anybody who answers.

I left the store the other day and my car would not start, On the dash it was saying start error. I have the truck towed to my mechanic's he tried to ground out system, change battery, change batteries in remote. His computer Was not telling him much for some reason but he did say it was not recognizing the key? After taking the battery out of the car and putting it in it would start then die and say start error.talked with the gentleman at Mercedes he said I should start with replacing key see if that works if not replace ring and DAS computer. All that is a lot of money to do and there is no guarantee that that's the problem he said. I found wreckers near my place that would sell me the whole system for $1300 out of a wrecked vehicle I was wondering if this is the way to go?

Thank you,
Sean

I have bought MLs with this condition for small amounts of $$ just to order a key from MB for $52 and have it crank right up. Order the mickey mouse key its the cheapest and always have a 2nd key.

The condition usually allows the vehicle to start and run for about 2 seconds.

Ok I will order key do I need to order remote too?
Thanks

What's a Mickey Mouse key?

Sixto
83 300SD buy me
98 E320 wagon

Valet key

order the remote key first

The '02 ML has a blade key slot in the ignition switch? My '98 E320 doesn't. The blade key just gets you in the car.

Or if I misunderstood, there's a valet form of the smart key? Got a picture to share?

Sixto
83 300SD can be yours
98 E320 wagon

Yes. The 2002 ML320 has a blade key. Mine folds back into the plastic holder.

I meant will an '02 blade key start the engine.

Sean007, is there a physical valet key for smart key MBs? A valet won't be able to park my '98 E320 if I leave him just the blade key. Maybe there's a valet mode to the smart key?

Sixto
83 300SD can be yours
98 E320 wagon

I ordered one from the dealership yesterday he said it's a valet key it will only unlock the drivers door and start engine It will not open trunk or the glove and has no remote of course, but does have the resister built into the key.

I'm really struggling to understand this :)

There's a blade key which for most MBs from '98 will let you in but not start the engine since the ignition switch won't take a blade. There's a valet key nicknamed Mickey Mouse key that will let you in the car and start the engine. If this link works, I think this is what you're talking about - https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w210/508290-cost-flat-spare-key.html . At any rate, it talks about a master key which I guess looks like Mickey Mouse -

http://oi40.tinypic.com/wsmgli.jpg

Sixto
83 300SD can be yours
98 E320 wagon

Sixto
83 300SD can be yours
98 E320 wagon

I just wanted to give everyone an update, I did as I was told and ordered a new key.

Well it worked like a charm �� Started right up and have had no issues since.
Thank you all very much for your replies. I will post a picture of the key once I figure out how to.

Picture of replacement key

Perfect! I pick up a lot of cars with this issue. When I hear the people say "we jumped it off" or "replaced the battery" its almost a given they left the key in #2 position and pop! :D

can you please post a picture of the ignition in the dashboard, as some people maybe confused you are using this master key in the smartkey EIS.