1999 ML 430 Remote Starter

[kozof]

I went today to instal a remote starter on my 1999 ML 430, was advised that it will not work as a chip is needed to start the truck, the chip is inside the original remote, the intaler want that I buy a new remote from hich he will use the chip and place it near the ignition to enable me install a remote starter. Any suggetions
Thanks

[2bmj]

Don't bother with the remote starter. It's more trouble than it's worth.

[Brett]

Sounds legit, our keys have a "chip" which communicates with the truck. This is why
we cannot purchase a simple valet key.

The plus is that you will be able to fool the truck which enables a remote starting system to be implemented.
The drawbacks include incurring an additional expense of purchasing another key and a slight loss of vehicular security.

[Swizzles]

I went to several experienced installers about getting it done for my truck. The guy told me off the record that he would not really recommend it… more trouble than it’s worth. Instead I have opted for the heated garage that should be done very soon hopefully….

[bigcatny]

Brett - 9/20/2005 10:40 PM
Sounds legit, our keys have a "chip" which communicates with the truck. This is why
we cannot purchase a simple valet key.

I have a valet key. Why can't you get one since your car originally came with one? Of course the only advantage of the valet key is that they can't turn on the alarm.

[deejaykaygee1]

i went to get a alarm and the package i was going to get had the started and the guy said that it wsa pretty normal that the remote started un programs the automatic lock and new keys have to be made. He said dont do it an if you do their was a high chance of this occuring.

[rudeney]

In order to install a remote starter system, you would in fact need to imbed the security chip from one of your keys into the ignition system. The ML uses a programmable RFID type chip that is reset with a new rolling code each time it is used (unlike the passive chip system made by Texas Instruments used in other cars that were recently exposed as being easy to disable). Anyhow, what most installers do is hide a key (on pre-2002 models, they recommend the valet key) and move the RF antenna from the ignition switch to be next to this key. This end up disabling one of MBZ’s most advanced security systems to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. With the chip embedded, the vehicle could be stolen with nothing but a screwdriver jammed into the ignition switch, like GM vehicles from the last 30 years.

Of course if you are willing to live without the security, it will work, but it does disable the remote locking functions your other remotes when the engine is running (have you noticed that once you put the key in the ignition, the remote no longer works? It’s because the AAM shuts that circuit off when a key is in the ignition or the engine is running). This means that if you start the car with the doors locked, you’d have to unlock it with the blade. If it’s unlocked when you remote-start the engine, you would not be able to remote lock it (which may or may not be an issue depending on how safe the environment is). Personally, I believe all of this is far too much trouble and introduces too much risk for the little bit of convenience provided.

Oh, and for ML’s prior to MY2002, they were shipped with a valet key. If yours is missing, I don’t believe you can get a replacement as it is a special key that is used to initialize a virgin AAM. It does, however, still use the rolling code system.

[Diazman]

Ohhh the memories this brings.

The guy that did my music system advised me not to put a remote starter since lots of cases of the ML loosing programming and new key has to be made. I told him that was in SOME cases, so dont worry about it and put it in.
1 month later to be exact on december 31st 2004 (which was a friday) at 245pm I was left without a car. The ML wouldnt turn on with none of the 2 keys I had. I called the benz dealer and they said I had to go in to order another key, but since it was friday already I wouldnt have time to go down there to take the registration to have the key made, instead I had to tow my car from manhattan to yonkers in upstate NY and wait until monday to order the new key since the dealer was closed on saturday january the 1st. So I waited until monday, picked up the key on thursday and the car turned on fine with the new keys but the old ones wont work at all.

My recommendation, DONT DO IT, I was without my ML the whole new years weekend and part of the following week. Just my $0.02

[ML Mike]

Disabling your factory security devices in your ML could be a long term lost. My lesson begins a few weeks ago, I had a problem with my ML320, the car would not crank. I called AAA tow truck, the guy was guessing the battery was bad, next guess the starter was bad, and following guessing the computer was no good. He goes on and on and only option was towing the car to a Benz shop. The mechanic tears the car apart and found nothing wrong. Finally, the mechanic traces the error to the master OEM key. At first, I couldn’t believe him. He ordered a new key from my dealer based on the VIN and like magic; the new key started the car. At the meantime, I was hoping to save some money, I went on eBay and got a used ML key hoping to get it reprogram. As it turns out, the dealer will not program key that does not matching the VIN. And the old key is sealed, and not repairable. The OEM key has an embedded security chip that communicates with the on-board security system. With out the chip, the key will only start the car momentary, and the engine will shut off. Any more tempering or fault start will trigger the security system to reset the rolling security code. Once the rolling code is lost, you are SOL. The factory remote key cost $110 to replace, dealer want $60 to reprogram it. Anyone wants a spare ML key to dissect to extract the chip are more then welcome to contact me.[:)]

I was looking into this at the begining of last winter and came up with the same comments. It's not worth it. Now I agree and am not sorry I didn't make the installation.
Mike