Won't Start

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by David M

Then why can't you use the spare Viper remote to unlock the van?

Because my Viper system doesn't unlock the doors. That's a separate module that wasn't available for Sprinters when I bought my Viper system. I never went back to have the module installed when it did become available, because up to now I didn't need it.

[J. Morgan]

Door wedges and pneumatic "wedges" have become popular in part because the car makers became proficient at making their vehicles difficult to open via "traditional" methods like slim jims.

Anytime I am in a situation where I am going to close a door with the keys in the ignition I make it a practice to crack a window.

[J. Morgan]

Fifteen years ago my dads car self locked on the side of a rural road with the keys in the ignition and the engine running.

While I was wondering what to do he came up with a quick solution....

His windshield was broken in need of replacement, so he had me knock a hole near the passenger A-pillar big enough for my arm to fit through....

Problem solved in less than five minutes...

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Anytime I am in a situation where I am going to close a door with the keys in the ignition I make it a practice to crack a window.

Rainstorm, remember?

[J. Morgan]

I got ya Pro.

There are circumstances that mess with our plans.

[RoadJager]

Originally Posted by gmillerok1

One advantage of the Drone Alarm is that I can open the doors with my iPhone. Protag, can't they make a new key based on the number they should have on file based on the serial number to manually open the door on the driver's side? Of course, prying it open is faster and easier if you don't mind the risk of damage. Maybe that is the only way, but I would think MB would have another way short of that. I bought a spare key that I always keep at home just in case, though.

It traditionally takes the dealerships up to 5 days to order new key/Fob from M/B N/America.
Road Jager

[MILATV]

So do I read correctly? Does Van auto lock after 30 minutes, or is that an alarm feature?

- I haven't found anyone in area that's installed an alarm in a MB van, and I want remote start so no alarm in mine yet.


Mike via Mobile

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by MILATV

So do I read correctly? Does Van auto lock after 30 minutes, or is that an alarm feature?

- I haven't found anyone in area that's installed an alarm in a MB van, and I want remote start so no alarm in mine yet.


Mike via Mobile

In most cases the car will auto lock when vehicle speed reaches a set amount, say 15-20mph

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by MILATV

So do I read correctly? Does Van auto lock after 30 minutes, or is that an alarm feature?

- I haven't found anyone in area that's installed an alarm in a MB van, and I want remote start so no alarm in mine yet.

Check with your installer, once you pick one.

It's possible that in order to make remote start work, the installer will have to disable the anti-theft ignition lockout in order for the van to be able to start without the ignition switch detecting the correct chipped key.

Weird to think that one might have to disable a factory anti-theft device while installing an aftermarket anti-theft device…

[73shark]

Some installers will take the spare chipped key, break the shank off, and hide the rest under the dash for remote start applications.

[Rapa Nui]

Holy cow, Batman. That makes for a long day. Good luck on the problem being solved simply.

[wayneskid]

The MB manual says that you should remove the drive shaft if towing for more than 30 miles. Did you?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, well that sounded like a nightmare to me. And four hours late for vehicle that it's going to sit a few days before they look at it was a really poor excuse to put it off for another day. Too bad that the keys got locked inside; And a decent tow truck driver should know all about automatic door locks. Auto door locks have done this for decades, ask any car wash. Ironically, many times a non-start vehicle was towed to our dealership and as soon as it was disconnected from the tow truck it would start like nothing ever happened. Towing from the front, on a rear drive vehicle could cause transmission damage if the driveshaft isn't removed. He probably should have put the rear wheels on dollies. Sometimes tow trucks are a necessary evil. GOOD LUCK.

Originally Posted by wayneskid

The MB manual says that you should remove the drive shaft if towing for more than 30 miles. Did you?

Hi, exactly.

[cwf]

Hey, it is probably something worth checking... Tranny issue by improper tow method is bad Ju-Ju.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by wayneskid

The MB manual says that you should remove the drive shaft if towing for more than 30 miles. Did you?

No. It also said not to exceed 31 mph. The tow was between 40 and 45 mph the whole way.

Given the endless litany of what else went wrong and how late it was getting to be, to be perfectly honest I wasn't prepared to crawl under it myself and disconnect the drive shaft after the front end was up on the wheel lift, and the tow truck driver was all "I've done this before and it's not really necessary. Don't worry about it." So, yeah, there may have been damage. Or the manual may have been overly conservative and I got lucky. I told MB about it when I was checking the vehicle in. Just one more thing to wait and see about.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, chances are that you won't know what the trans damage is until later on. There is no rear pump on modern automatic transmissions so no lubrication to spinning parts. Extension housing bushing, tail shaft bushing, and thrust washers/bearings and more could be damaged. First symptoms might be drive line vibration. Metal shavings will work their way into the rest of the trans and could do further damage or interrupt valve body actions. Yes, the tow truck driver has done this before and never heard about it because the trans failed later on and the connection was never made. Your options, in my opinion, is to let the dealer know how it was towed. And maybe ask for the transmission pan to be removed [major trans service, not a flush] and inspected for excessive shavings. [a tiny bit is normal]

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I would contact the tow company and let them know how your vehicle was towed and they will be responsible for any damage. Time to document all of this. I hate to even guess as to the cost of that trans.

[Lily&Me]

What a mess, Protag.

I'm sorry for it, and hope it shakes itself out without too much more difficulty.

I agree, you need to document all of this, every conversation, every piece of paper. Get a pad of paper, go back to the beginning, and get it down while it is all fresh in your mind. Clip everything together and keep it together. IMHO.

We have carried AAA for years, and have had good experiences with them and those they send out.

Good luck,


Maggie

[gmillerok1]

That's not how it works. The anti-theft system remains intake, at least in the Drone system.

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Check with your installer, once you pick one.

It's possible that in order to make remote start work, the installer will have to disable the anti-theft ignition lockout in order for the van to be able to start without the ignition switch detecting the correct chipped key.

Weird to think that one might have to disable a factory anti-theft device while installing an aftermarket anti-theft device…

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by gmillerok1

That's not how it works. The anti-theft system remains intake, at least in the Drone system.

Thanks for the info. I did say "possible" and "ask your installer." If the system one chooses doesn't require the anti-theft ignition lock-out to be disabled, that's great.