Let me tell you about the time this 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 turned a regular EIS removal into a whopping 6-hour endurance test. 😮💨 This car really tested my patience, creativity, and maybe even my sanity—but hey, that’s part of the job, right? Here’s how it all went down.
The Hidden Screws That Refused to Be Found - Need them out to successfully make Mercedes-benz fob!
It started out simple enough: remove the entire mid-section with the radio, take off the panel under the steering wheel, remove the EIS so I could make a new fob, and then put it all back together. Standard early 2000s C-Class Benz procedure, right? WRONG.
Turns out this specific car has hidden screws holding the panel in place, and finding them was like solving a puzzle without the picture on the box. After a lot of head-scratching (and maybe a few colorful words), I figured out the trick—you have to remove the instrument cluster to access them. Who knew? Mercedes sure loves to keep us guessing!
Old Car, Old Problems
Here’s the thing about working on a car that’s over 20 years old: the plastics are basically held together by hope. 😬 They’re brittle, fragile, and snap if you look at them the wrong way. That’s exactly what happened with the parking release mechanism—one wrong move, and SNAP. What should’ve been a quick fix turned into another round of careful problem-solving. It took a while, but I got it working again - Super improvised - but working (FYI the customer is selling the car and didn't care for cosmetics at all).
My Plan for Next Time: 3D Printing!
This job got me thinking: why not make my own replacement parts? After all, dealing with fragile, hard-to-find plastic bits is becoming a common theme. That’s why I’ve just ordered a 3D printer. Pretty soon, I’ll be able to design and print custom replacement parts for jobs like this. Not only will it save time, but it’ll also mean I can fix things without relying on parts that are either unavailable or overpriced. I can’t wait to put it to use on the next project! 😜
The Happy Ending
In the end, I programmed the Mercedes-benz fob, got everything back together, and the car is running and looking as good as new. It’s so satisfying when you finish a job like this—no matter how frustrating it gets along the way. There’s something rewarding about seeing it all come together after a long day of problem-solving.
Lesson Learned
Working on cars like Mercedes-Benz keeps you on your toes. Every repair is a mix of patience, creativity, and learning from experience. The hidden screws? Figured it out. The snapped parking release? Fixed it. The next time I face something similar, I’ll be even more prepared—especially with my trusty 3D printer by my side. 🚗💡
If you’ve got a car in need of a Fob or key - I'm your girl! Aegis Locksmith Services - Atlanta area - 470-756-0417 email info@aegislocksmithservices.com