My wife's key recently stopped working on our '99 E320 wagon and, after trying a new battery in the fob with no success, we purchased a new key from the dealer. Subsequently I've heard that these keys usually don't break or wear out, but that they 'time out', i.e., they only are programmed to start the vehicle a limited number of times, say 100,000, after which they must be replaced. Also, that the ignition system itself will only work for a limited number of starts, say 600,000, after which it too must be replaced Can this possibly be true?
- posted
15 years ago