[Owner_of_souls]

Hello,

I would like to ask about help for the following problem:

I have W168 A160 car with two key fobs. One of them is working fine (unlocking, locking and starting the car), but the other is only starting the car. It refuses to unlock or lock the car. As I know the key contains electronics for the remote RF (radio frequency) lock/unlock and a part for the steering column coil which is the important part for the engine starting. From this I assume that the part for the engine starting is ok, but the electronics for the lock/unlock is not working.
The other thing which I observe is that the failing key does not pass its self battery check. I tried to sync it with the car but without success.

I am wondering is there any chance to repair this key?

The electronics inside are looking fine (without dirt or any rust). I checked the semiconductor parts on the small board (The resistors and the capacitors are ok). I am not sure only for the transistor which is from the IC side of the board.

Is there someone who faced or have idea what could be done for this key?

Thank you in advance!

Regards,

Best Regards,

 

[93SoCal400E]

Is it a Smart Key?

If so, which style?

If you look at other threads I started recently I just was able to move the id chip from one key to a new body.

But it would all depend on if your key has the same 30 pin NEC chip.

There is a guy named darknight who does this as a service.I think he spells his name a little different. He also offers the service on Ebay as well as in classifieds here.

If you are in Los Angeles area I am offering to do it for free, but you would need to have the right key to start with.

 

[Owner_of_souls]

Hi,

What do you mean by "Smart key"?

The key is standard remote key for A class W168 1999 year Petrol. The one with the two buttons "Lock" and "Unlock".

How many styles of keys for A class W168 exist ?

You mean to solder out the chip inside the key which is responsible for the remote unlock/lock functions and solder in on a new board from another key? In this case you are reusing only the discrete parts form the donor key and drives them with my own chip. Is this possible. Is there any chance to check that the driver chip (or this which you address as NEC IC) is alive and not dead?

Thank you for the information in advance!

P.S. Unfortunately I am not in U.S. .


Best Regards,

 

[DaIceMan]

Just wanted to say I have the same exact problem: one key fob works fine and the other just starts the car. The Remote is malfunctioning (but the transponder RFID chip is fine) and it fails also the battery test. I would like to find a replacement chip if possible (the NEX chip) which I am equipped to unsolder and replace. Does anyone know where I can source it without having to buy a whole new remote?

Thanks!

 

[DrX]

It's not the chip you need a new one of, it's the board it sits on. The chip (20 pins for W168) contains the codes that your car recognizes. If you buy a 2nd-hand remote off eBay or from a salvage yard, swapping your chip into it (and the transponder pellet) should give you a working remote key. (As long as the 2nd-hand key was fully-functional, of course.)

Edit: the attached photo shows the 20-pin chip. The circuit board is not identical to the W168 remote key, which has 2 buttons.

 

[banbanade]

It's not the chip you need a new one of, it's the board it sits on. The chip (20 pins for W168) contains the codes that your car recognizes. If you buy a 2nd-hand remote off eBay or from a salvage yard, swapping your chip into it (and the transponder pellet) should give you a working remote key. (As long as the 2nd-hand key was fully-functional, of course.)

Edit: the attached photo shows the 20-pin chip. The circuit board is not identical to the W168 remote key, which has 2 buttons.

Are you sure about this mate?

 

[DrX]

Are you sure about this mate?

If done correctly, it should work. Removing and resoldering IC chips from circuit boards isn’t easy though.