mercedes key fob replacement
 

Currently, my parent's 02 W163 fob decided to poop out for no reason. We tried changing the battery and to no avail.

Unfortunately, Mercedes dealerships charge a incredibly high price for replacement fobs and programming. Is there any other cheaper third-party that could do the same?

Ebay?

Every key that I have had cut for a mercedes comes already programmed for the car from somewhere back east
Posted via RS Mobile

It's probably a chip in the key that is dead.

I recently bought a blank off eBay. Low and behold - there is no chip. I had to swap chips from my old key to the new one.

http://www.trianglecafe.ca/misc/bcrdukes/e36key.jpg

Not sure if its the same for Mercedes-Benz but this is a BMW key. Your safest bet is to buy from the dealership. I know it's rape but unless you can find a safe, alternative third-party, then the chances are slim.

They made these laser cut keys for their benefit... you're stuck with the stealerships

I had this done once. You don't have a choice but to go to the dealer.

Every MB has a certain number (I think it's 8) unique key codes stored in a vault in Germany for every car made. ONLY the dealer can have it programmed. They need about 4h but it's not all labour. The car needs to be parked with the new fob in the ignition for a few hours, as part of the programming (burning in the EEPROM?) process. The process I believe is to have a new (pre-programmed) key flown in from Germany, then the 4h wait is for your car to recognize it and accept it. It's probably a timer lock to prevent even someone with a genuine but stolen key from simply walking up to your car and driving away. They'd have to wait 4h.

Skip eBay. You'll be wasting your money on a key that won't work on your car.