W203 won't recognize key in ignition!

tourdiablo666 · 11-01-2009, 02:47 PM

I have a 2003 C320 4Matic and this morning when I went out to start the car, the ignition would not recognize my key. When I put the fob in the ignition, nothing happens (this is the same for the spare key as well). The remote can unlock and lock the car just fine, and can even move the windows up and down when pointed at the IR receiver on the handle. Also worth noting is that when I unlock the car using the remote, the lights blink once. However when I lock it, they no longer blink three times as they should.

Thanks in advance!

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99210 · 11-01-2009, 05:02 PM

possible eis problem//

Glyn M Ruck · 11-01-2009, 06:02 PM

Yes - this would seem to be an EIS problem. The EIS powers up your key inductively & you have IR handshaking between the key & the EIS. Batteries in the key play no part in this.

You can't do this job yourself. This is dealer work & the damn EIS & new keys are very expensive.

Let's hope it's a blown fuse or something simple - Good luck!

Moviela · 11-01-2009, 11:48 PM

I concur with Glyn. One thing you can try is a wee bit of house cleaning. Use a window cleaner like Windex on a very soft cloth to clean the IR window on the tip of the key device. Using a moist cloth on you finger stick it in the hole on the dash and using a motion that come natural to you clean the infrared window in the EIS. (Electronic Ignition System)

Good Luck.

Glyn M Ruck · 11-02-2009, 05:09 AM

Good point Movie - I'm not very hopeful with both keys duff but maybe the EIS window is really gooed up ?????

11-01-2009, 06:02 PM	#3
Glyn M Ruck MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 4,758 Drives: late 03 C240 Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires	Yes - this would seem to be an EIS problem. The EIS powers up your key inductively & you have IR handshaking between the key & the EIS. Batteries in the key play no part in this. You can't do this job yourself. This is dealer work & the damn EIS & new keys are very expensive. Let's hope it's a blown fuse or something simple - Good luck! __________________ Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 11-01-2009 at 06:06 PM.

11-02-2009, 05:09 AM	#5
Glyn M Ruck MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 4,758 Drives: late 03 C240 Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires	Good point Movie - I'm not very hopeful with both keys duff but maybe the EIS window is really gooed up ????? __________________ Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa

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11-01-2009, 05:02 PM	#2
99210 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 30 Drives: 1999 e320	possible eis problem//

11-01-2009, 11:48 PM	#4
Moviela MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orange County Posts: 2,120 Drives: 2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)	I concur with Glyn. One thing you can try is a wee bit of house cleaning. Use a window cleaner like Windex on a very soft cloth to clean the IR window on the tip of the key device. Using a moist cloth on you finger stick it in the hole on the dash and using a motion that come natural to you clean the infrared window in the EIS. (Electronic Ignition System) Good Luck.

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