Programming a remote key?
 

I purchased a used (and identical looking remote key) for my 1998 E320 station wagon. I called the nearest MB dealer and was told that they do not program the remotes.

Does anyone know how to program a remote key?

See post about this on your other thread

Gilly

Re: Programming a remote key?
 

Uh, yup. That's the way it is. Why would they lie? They could charge an hour's labour. What dealer would miss out on that? None that I know. If they say they can't do it, they can't. Hope you didn't pay too much for the key...

Thanks for all your advice. I was able to cancel my purchase before the key was shipped.

This forum is so great!

I did not read the "other" topic about this, but why would Mercedes not program a remote? Any explanation? When I bought my old 95 Chrysler- the remote was missing, so I bought a new remote. I took it to the local Chrysler-Jeep-Lincoln-Mercury dealer and they reprogrammed it for only $20.00. It was back there for about 30 minutes. Same story for my 92 Buick Park Avenue. I have bought a new remote, but it still needs programmed. I called my local Buick-Pontiac dealer and they said it would be $24.00 to reprogram it. So it seems like most car dealers will reprogram them. What was Mercedes rational for not being able to do this? Just wondering.

It's not a "won't" question, it's a "CAN'T".
The keys are vehicle-specific, at least DEFINITELY for starting, not 100% sure on the locking/unlocking. What's being discussed is the "smartkey" which is both the remote unit and an electronic bladeless "key". It does have a small slide-out blade which fits in the drivers door lock and trunk, in case the vehicle battery goes dead, or the key is junk, etc, so you can get into the car. These keys people are selling on EBay, there is NO WAY they will ever start a car, other than the car they were ordered for.

Gilly