W124 E500 infrared spare key

[e500.org]

FYI all - just to let everyone know you can order the infrared keys for your cars from MB. For a long time they were sold out I think across the range. Today I received mine for my E500 and it worked fine of course. I did need to manually lock/unlock the car before the infrared function worked. Very glad to have a proper spare for my E500, weirdly my original key does not have the cut out for adding a key ring, very annoying!

 

[744Brillantsilber]

You can buy a different battery cover which inculdes a key ring cutout.

 

[e500.org]

Rocking the new key today guys !!!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Good to know! Seems that folks "across the range" started to receive the spares again. Dealerships apparently have have not been able to order some of these keys for as much as 2 years on some models, with a lot of frustrated owners. Rumors that MB is now using a new source for these key/remote supplies?

Regards,
D

 

[gerryvz]

Good to know! Seems that folks "across the range" started to receive the spares again. Dealerships apparently have have not been able to order some of these keys for as much as 2 years on some models, with a lot of frustrated owners. Rumors that MB is now using a new source for these key/remote supplies?

Regards,
D

That's correct. MB had to find, contract and certify an entirely new supplier of IRCL keys for the mid-1990s through mid-2000s models of all types. It took around 3+ years to do this.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

That's correct. MB had to find, contract and certify an entirely new supplier of IRCL keys for the mid-1990s through mid-2000s models of all types. It took around 3+ years to do this.

Well, there we have it! I know for early cars we could get at least the blanks from the dealership to start and drive the cars, but those mid 1990's, particularly with the "chip/pill" built into remote, was the real issues for so many. There were few R129 members with facelift cars that had cars sitting for almost 2 years as a pure paper weight, due to the loss of both keys... I'm sure it's a great relieve for so many owners!

Regards,
D

 

[gerryvz]

I got a second IRCL key for my 1995 G-wagen back in late 2014. I had to get it through the Classic Center, courtesy of Tom Hanson. Even discounted, it was WAY over $200 at the time.

Within 18 months after that, the keys were NLA from MB.

I am happy to hear that they are becoming available again. A LOT of R129, W140 and W210 owners have been completely abandoned over this issue in recent years.

 

[jhodg5ck]

I'll check and see if this is a permanent solution or if this is just a little batch that's popping up similar to 6 or so months ago.. went to order and everything was back ordered Again... Lame sauce

 

[msq]

Thanks. This is good to know, super helpful.

@jhodg5ck how long do you think will it take to figure out if this is not just a one off/small batch?

 

[jhodg5ck]

No one has given me any commitment...so it's a your guess as good as mine


....hope you're doing Well Sir!!

 

[msq]

Thanks @jhodg5ck hope you are doing well also!

 

[msq]

Called my local MB dealer, not very helpful. Told them the infrared key fobs may be available again, I gave them my VIN etc. to look it up.
They went on to tell me the only key that came with my car (1994 E60 - registered as 1993 due to date of first reg in Switzerland Dec 1993) was a standard key (not a flip key/infrared remote). I told them that is not the case and it did in fact come with flip key/infrared remote and that:

1. I have the infrared key FOB in my hand and have been using it with the car since I got it
2. I have the original sales order on the car that shows the remote locking system as option
3. I can drive the car over and show them

In any case - they referred me to the MB Classic center in the U.S., so I called them. They went on to tell me that W124's never came with infrared key fob. I tell them they definitely did. Then the guy goes on to tell me "if its an AMG before 1997 who knows what AMG was doing, we don't have any records before that".

You can't make this stuff up.

I may reach out to the MB classic Center in Stuttgart - at least they were responsive and informed last time I reached out to them on another issue.

 

[gerryvz]

Call the Classic Center Parts department back, and talk to Tom Hanson. You obviously talked to a Classic Center muppet who doesn't know the difference between Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

 

[gsxr]

I'm usually willing to cut them slack since no North American spec 124 had IRCL.

But the attitude that you are an idiot, and they are infallible, is unacceptable. Not to mention that 2 minutes with your VIN on the EPC XPISS would quickly show that IRCL was indeed factory fitment. I expect poor service from many dealers, but not from MBCC.

 

[JAB12]

Gents, is there a part number that one has to reference for this infrared keys? I would like to order a spare for my car. Thank you.

 

[JAB12]

@gsxr, what is code 551? Is that A140 number the universal number for the infrared keys? Thank you.

 

[gsxr]

Code 551 = ANTI-THEFT / ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM

P/N 140-760-04-06 should be correct, but may be superceded to a variation with a suffix, i.e. 140-760-04-06-000x.

And, it may be unavailable, as Jono mentioned back in post #8.

 

[JAB12]

Appreciate that . I have the original 2 that came with the car, but would not mind a spare. I share the same experience with the local dealers they know nothing about these cars other than they existed at one point in early 90's MB folklore. Wonder how many lost unused parts W124 parts are in random warehouses that they don't even know exist. Thanks let me see what I can find through my usual channels. I'll let you guys know if the result if positive.

 

[stickyvicky]

Called my local MB dealer, not very helpful. Told them the infrared key fobs may be available again, I gave them my VIN etc. to look it up.
They went on to tell me the only key that came with my car (1994 E60 - registered as 1993 due to date of first reg in Switzerland Dec 1993) was a standard key (not a flip key/infrared remote). I told them that is not the case and it did in fact come with flip key/infrared remote and that:

1. I have the infrared key FOB in my hand and have been using it with the car since I got it
2. I have the original sales order on the car that shows the remote locking system as option
3. I can drive the car over and show them

In any case - they referred me to the MB Classic center in the U.S., so I called them. They went on to tell me that W124's never came with infrared key fob. I tell them they definitely did. Then the guy goes on to tell me "if its an AMG before 1997 who knows what AMG was doing, we don't have any records before that".

You can't make this stuff up.

I may reach out to the MB classic Center in Stuttgart - at least they were responsive and informed last time I reached out to them on another issue.

i got the same situation 2 weeks ago, went to the dealer in NY, wanted to order a infra red key for the japan imported car 1994 production, with code 880,
they spent a week to tell me, it only regular keys available, NLA INFRARED

 

[gerryvz]

It makes ZERO sense to go to any local MB dealer for something esoteric for a US car, or anything that would be found on a gray-market car in the US that would not be normal on a US car.

I would NEVER have even bothered to go to any MB dealership for an extra IRCL key for my 1995 G-wagen. They would have told me that such a vehicle was un-possible to even exist -- that MB never made any G-wagen until 2002, when MBUSA started selling them.

This is exactly the reason why I went right to Tom Hanson for the IRCL key. He looked up the truck's FIN, called up the information, took my order, and had it in a week or 10 days in hand. Then sent it to me. No BS. Tom knew right what to do, what the situation was, and how to get it done.

I don't know why people even bother with your local MB dealer if you have anything other than a US-model car that is less than 10 years old. Other than ordering discounted parts via web sites, really nobody on this forum should be darkening the doorway of any MB dealership unless you are getting an alignment. Find a competent independent shop in your area. You will not only save A LOT of money, but you will be much happier with the knowledge level about the E500E.

 

[JAB12]

Question from the uninitiated. Don't think I'll ever be initiated on 124036s quite frankly. Can one self perform a switchblade key transplant into a new IRCL casing and reprogram? Or do these have to come pre cut from factory as per the original post from @e500.org

Also @e500.org if you can please also post who you were able to reach out to (contact information) in order to obtain the new IRCL keys to your car that would be very helpful.

Thank you all.

 

[gsxr]

It makes ZERO sense to go to any local MB dealer for something esoteric for a US car, or anything that would be found on a gray-market car in the US that would not be normal on a US car.

I would NEVER have even bothered to go to any MB dealership for an extra IRCL key for my 1995 G-wagen. They would have told me that such a vehicle was un-possible to even exist -- that MB never made any G-wagen until 2002, when MBUSA started selling them.

This is exactly the reason why I went right to Tom Hanson for the IRCL key. He looked up the truck's FIN, called up the information, took my order, and had it in a week or 10 days in hand. Then sent it to me. No BS. Tom knew right what to do, what the situation was, and how to get it done.

I don't know why people even bother with your local MB dealer if you have anything other than a US-model car that is less than 10 years old. Other than ordering discounted parts via web sites, really nobody on this forum should be darkening the doorway of any MB dealership unless you are getting an alignment. Find a competent independent shop in your area. You will not only save A LOT of money, but you will be much happier with the knowledge level about the E500E.

Gerry, he DID go to the MB Classic Center in SoCal. They were as useless as the local dealer, which surprised me.

 

[gerryvz]

Going to the Classic Center (in the generic sense) is not going to be good enough. He needs to go to TOM HANSON.

 

[msq]

Gerry, he DID go to the MB Classic Center in SoCal. They were as useless as the local dealer, which surprised me.

Exactly @gsxr.
Also I was blown away at how useless the call was. I don't want to say the name of the guy I talked to at the Classic center (not into throwing some guy under the bus) but 2 mins into conversation I realized it was going nowhere.

i got the same situation 2 weeks ago, went to the dealer in NY, wanted to order a infra red key for the japan imported car 1994 production, with code 880,
they spent a week to tell me, it only regular keys available, NLA INFRARED

...and yes code 880 was the option the code that identified "central locking remote control system"on my car also

 

[msq]

I'm usually willing to cut them slack since no North American spec 124 had IRCL.

But the attitude that you are an idiot, and they are infallible, is unacceptable. Not to mention that 2 minutes with your VIN on the EPC XPISS would quickly show that IRCL was indeed factory fitment. I expect poor service from many dealers, but not from MBCC.



View attachment 118500

Thanks @gsxr....super helpful...at least I know its in their system so when they tell me its not I can tell them to look again.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I would NEVER have even bothered to go to any MB dealership for an extra IRCL key for my 1995 G-wagen. They would have told me that such a vehicle was un-possible to even exist -- that MB never made any G-wagen until 2002, when MBUSA started selling them

And that's MB Dealership... WOW

 

[msq]

Question from the uninitiated. Don't think I'll ever be initiated on 124036s quite frankly. Can one self perform a switchblade key transplant into a new IRCL casing and reprogram? Or do these have to come pre cut from factory as per the original post from @e500.org.....

Thank you all.

@JAB12 I spent hours and hours on this question a year or two ago.
I was sure there had to be a way because technically all you need is:
- an IR device that is programmable
- a device to program it
- the code/program for your car

.....I ran into dead end after dead end.
I was ok without factory/standard IR key FOB and I would have been happy with a regular key on a key chain that also had a separate IR FOB on it that could send the right signal/code.

 

[JAB12]

@msq Thank you for letting me know. I put some feelers out there if I get a positive response I will let you know and post it on this thread. I am spoiled with Pcars, this is possible and it is a piece of cake as long as your IR brains still work. IF that needs to be replaced then it gets a bit more complicated as the module is under the driver seat and you have to send back the module plus old keys into a specialized shop. They used to do it on the spot when you took your car in but that is no longer an option. I miss the 90's..

 

[Jlaa]

@JAB12 I spent hours and hours on this question a year or two ago.
I was sure there had to be a way because technically all you need is:
- an IR device that is programmable
- a device to program it
- the code/program for your car

.....I ran into dead end after dead end.

I’ll bet dollars to donuts you could program an HP48GX to transmit the right IR code.......

 

[gerryvz]

I’ll bet dollars to donuts you could program an HP48GX to transmit the right IR code.......

You mean, like this?

 

[Jlaa]

You mean, like this?
View attachment 118529

Yes! That is a G+ .... does that have IR? I remember 25 years ago I was able to get my GX to act as a “universal IR remote” and learn nearly any IR remote code and string together remote codes at the time.....

 

[gerryvz]

Yes! That is a G+ .... does that have IR? I remember 25 years ago I was able to get my GX to act as a “universal IR remote” and learn nearly any IR remote code and string together remote codes at the time.....

Yes, the HP48 G, G+ and GX all have IR capability.


My daily go-to is my HP 11C, which I bought in 1984 for high school physics class. I think I paid around $65-70 for it at the time, which was a lot of money.


That was the beginning of my dalliance with HP, back in the mid-1980s. When I was at university, in Corvallis OR, HP had a large site there where they engineered the calculators and also the "ThinkJet" printers (early inkjet and also their thermal printers). The primary HP calculator at the time was the HP41 CX/CV. Because HP was the only other employer in the town of 35,000 besides Oregon State University, they sold the HP 41s as a special deal at the OSU bookstore for about 50% what they were available for on the "civilian" market. I still kick myself for not buying an HP 41 at the time, but my 11C was really all I needed.

After graduating, when I lived in the Bay Area (Santa Clara, then Menlo Park), I worked at HP at the Cupertino Site from 1993-1995. This is the site that is now the Apple Spaceship Campus, located off of I-280 at the Wolfe Road exit. It's where I also met my ex-wife in 1994 (she also worked for HP). Later on after an 8.5 year stint at Intel, and a couple of other shorter jobs, this led to my work for HP in the Vancouver, WA (Portland) site and then Houston (former Compaq) campus from 2008-2015.

So while my history with HP is not as long nor as extensive as one of the other Moderators of this site, it is long and intertwined, and does go back some way......

 

[Jlaa]

Yes, the HP G, G+ and GX all have IR capability.

My daily go-to is my HP 12C, which I bought in 1984 for high school physics class. I think I paid around $65-70 for it at the time, which was a lot of money.

I can think of nothing so insanely geeky but also so impossibly vintage cool so as to attend your local Radwood and cleaning up house by whipping out your CALCULATOR from its carefully designed zippered combo nylon/naugahyde case, pointing it at your car, an unlocking the car with the casual nonchalance of an 80s nerd getting the last laugh....

 

[msq]

I’ll bet dollars to donuts you could program an HP48GX to transmit the right IR code.......

Hanging an HP calculator off a key chain wasn't quite what I had in mind, however if I ever sell my car to Steve Urkel I'll let him know that may be an option for a spare IR key FOB ;-)

 

[gerryvz]

Let's just say that there are times when the @Jlaa gets .... "carried away" ..... with things.

When this happens I call on @The Emperor to give him a little jolt of Force Lightning.

 

[Jlaa]

Hanging an HP calculator off a key chain wasn't quite what I had in mind, however if I ever sell my car to Steve Urkel I'll let him know that may be an option for a spare IR key FOB ;-)

View attachment 118540

Let's just say that there are times when the @Jlaa gets .... "carried away" ..... with things.

When this happens I call on @The Emperor to give him a little jolt of Force Lightning.

Urkel is too young and doesn't have the chops for serious nerdiness.
I just found it again --- for posterity --- if you have an HP 48 and you want to try and program it to IR your car, here is your program:

Remote 3.4 BG - detailed information Remote 3.4. You will need the serial cable that goes from your computer to the HP 48......As well as a computer that has a serial port.

 

[gerryvz]

Again, don't dick around with the "pedestrian" muppets at the Classic Center parts department. Go directly to Tom Hanson — the Font of Knowledge there. Tom has been around for many decades and is a true expert at knowing the parts game, and its ins and outs. But more importantly, he has the contacts on both sides of the Atlantic to get things done.

This is the most important thing .... getting things done, and correctly, the first time. Tom did me a major solid with regard to my G-wagen IRCL key, and was able to work the system in ways that any other employee would not have been able to. And this was back in 2014, when the keys were still available !!

 

[JAB12]

I still have and use on a regular basis the same HP 48GX that put me through college and university. Best hand held calculator ever invented IMO.

 

[JAB12]

Alright gents, got some intel back on these keys from my MB network contacts. Hopefully someone can take advantage as I will pass since I have the original 2 that came with the car in good working order and I don't think these you can order online without dealer interaction. Let us know how it went.

Part number Q4760009 is the superseded number for 140 760 04 06 . None available for order in the US or Germany.

Description: This item is considered a theft relevant part and is not available for purchase online. Please contact your local dealer for more information. This item is non-returnable.

 

[msq]

.... None available for order in the US or Germany....

Thanks @JAB12

If it is available, wonder why not in US or Germany

 

[gsxr]

There may have been limited availability, a small batch released to fulfill outstanding orders. Hard to say without some addition info from an MB insider. @Klink? Where art thou?

 

[Ctibulschii]

My ‘94 has this fob on both sets of keys. Apparently this has to be some kind of an aftermarket remote but can’t figure it out how to get it to work now. Cause doesn’t do anything. Any ideas guys? Anybody has same rc on their keys?

 

[JAB12]

@Ctibulschii is your vehicle a Euro or ROW model. North America market W124036s did not come with IR capabilities.

 

[gsxr]

My ‘94 has this fob on both sets of keys. Apparently this has to be some kind of an aftermarket remote but can’t figure it out how to get it to work now. Cause doesn’t do anything. Any ideas guys? Anybody has same rc on their keys?

That's aftermarket. You can either try to fix it, or just delete the system, or replace it with another aftermarket remote lock/unlock setup.

 

[Ctibulschii]

@Ctibulschii is your vehicle a Euro or ROW model. North America market W124036s did not come with IR capabilities.

US Market, it’s nice to have such capabilities I would like to get it back on working.

 

[gerryvz]

There is no such thing as an original US-market W124 model (1986-1995) with infrared locking that came installed by MB. It was not introduced in the US until the W210 models. What is your VIN number?

Those key fobs are definitely aftermarket alarm/remote unlock. I would get rid of the system -- remove it from the car and throw it and the two key fobs away in the trash. That stuff is utterly worthless.

 

[Ctibulschii]

That's aftermarket. You can either try to fix it, or just delete the system, or replace it with another aftermarket remote lock/unlock setup.

I would rather try to fix it, if that’s possible. I’m assuming it has a rc module installed somewhere. Can’t figure it out where exactly it is. I probably have to go to a remote controls specialists.

 

[JAB12]

US Market

Those models never came with Infrared keyless entry so your system is aftermarket and if it does not work you should remove it from the car. IR was only for European and ROW cars I believe.

 

[gsxr]

I probably have to go to a remote controls specialists.

That means the local car stereo shop. They'll likely tell convince you to replace it with a new one they will happily sell you. Hopefully they know how to work on these old cars and don't bugger up the wiring.