Do I need a new key?
Discussion
Right then, bear with me.
Very intermittent fault on my C208 CLK 320 (R reg). Basically, sometimes it doesn't start. Turns over for a few seconds then dies. Infuriatingly, this first happened a few weeks ago, the exact same day I got the car back from my local mechanic after a £500 plus bill for service, discs and pads. When it first happened it fired after a couple of tries then it happened later that day in a petrol station. I rung my mechanic and asked for some advice and he suggested locking it up, walking away and coming back. This worked and the car ran perfectly, as it has done for the last 18 months since I bought it.
Anyway, took it down to my mechanic the next day and he is of the opinion that it is the key. He has a little gizmo that measures the signal from remote keys - it lights up a red LED on the gizmo as you press the button to unlock the car. He demonstrated on his car and there was one nice bright red LED flash then nothing, and on mine it was obvious that something was up as the red LED was constantly, but very weakly flashing on and off, as if the key was continually transmitting a signal.
As the casing was in a state then he suggested getting a new casing off of Ebay and transplanting in the inside of the old key, which he did free of charge. I know nothing about this, but still it seemed a little far fetched that that would solve the problem.
Anyway, it happened again today. Locked the car, walked away and when I came back it fired. Car runs perfectly otherwise.
I've recently moved and have previously used a very reputable Merc indy. They're a bit far away now but I think I may make the journey as they are very good.
Does this key business sound plausible? Do I need to bite the bullet and get a new one?
Very intermittent fault on my C208 CLK 320 (R reg). Basically, sometimes it doesn't start. Turns over for a few seconds then dies. Infuriatingly, this first happened a few weeks ago, the exact same day I got the car back from my local mechanic after a £500 plus bill for service, discs and pads. When it first happened it fired after a couple of tries then it happened later that day in a petrol station. I rung my mechanic and asked for some advice and he suggested locking it up, walking away and coming back. This worked and the car ran perfectly, as it has done for the last 18 months since I bought it.
Anyway, took it down to my mechanic the next day and he is of the opinion that it is the key. He has a little gizmo that measures the signal from remote keys - it lights up a red LED on the gizmo as you press the button to unlock the car. He demonstrated on his car and there was one nice bright red LED flash then nothing, and on mine it was obvious that something was up as the red LED was constantly, but very weakly flashing on and off, as if the key was continually transmitting a signal.
As the casing was in a state then he suggested getting a new casing off of Ebay and transplanting in the inside of the old key, which he did free of charge. I know nothing about this, but still it seemed a little far fetched that that would solve the problem.
Anyway, it happened again today. Locked the car, walked away and when I came back it fired. Car runs perfectly otherwise.
I've recently moved and have previously used a very reputable Merc indy. They're a bit far away now but I think I may make the journey as they are very good.
Does this key business sound plausible? Do I need to bite the bullet and get a new one?
My wifes W245 B class has issues sometimes whereby it starts fine on the first attempt - lets say you need to stop one minute / one mile etc away at the local shop - when you try and restart it won't. Turn it off and start again and it works. Its not all the time - once a month.
My specialist has also mentioned key issues that can cause this - first thing was a new battery - that hasn't worked. He also mentioned switching keys and using the ''spare''. Do you only have one key ?
My specialist has also mentioned key issues that can cause this - first thing was a new battery - that hasn't worked. He also mentioned switching keys and using the ''spare''. Do you only have one key ?
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