1998 mercedes c280 remote start, do or stay away?

A coworker just asked me about putting a remote start into a 98 Mercedes C280 he just got. As most of you guys know I do all my installs on the side so I'm not a big fan at taking risks. So is this car pretty straight forward or am I looking at a world of hurt by taking it on? Looking at the ready remote wiring diagram it seems like the only possible PITA would the the locks... either having to go into the driver door or back to the trunk to the alarm module.... but I know mercedes cars can be a major pain to do anything on. SO what is the over-all concensus from you guys; take it on or let it go? It won't be for a little while yet (probably spring time) but I want to let him know soon. ThanksKenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

The locks are dead easy! There's a carpet edge loom in a plastic conduit just in front of the driver's* seat another loom joins it. Find a thin black (lock, -) and a thin blue (unlock, -), extend the time on the lock wire for comfort close. *Might be your passenger side depending on what side the compressor is situated. Pick up the door triggers at the compressor front and rear, separate diode together, trunk and hood (come to think of it that's where the lock wires go too). The ignition loom wires can be picked up easiest by removing the gauge cluster (friction fit, just pushes out, you just need strong wrists). Access to engine bay via fuse box. The real pain is the R/S if there's an immobiliser. No one lists anything but the answer would be to find the two DATA wires from the ignition switch - see above ref: removing instrument cluster, and adding a 556UW wired Euro Style. Tach is YELLOW /GREEN OR GREEN/ YELLOW, rear of cluster or engine bay diagnostic socket. If he has the plastic push key (i.e. the "magic" key), don't even think about an R/S unless you talk to Fortin etc.

Its a 98 so I highly doubt its the "magic" key (although it wouldn't surprise me if it was.. haha). So the locks and hood pin can be tagged basically underneath the door sill and I shouldn't have to go all the way to the trunk? There's no alarm and its an automatic so I won't have to deal with the door pin or trunk pin; just the hood pin. Now you'll have to clarify with me. What do you mean by the compressor? I'm assuming you mean the vaccuum compressor (thats also assuming they are vaccuum actuated locks). And I'll probably go right to the cluster with the tach since I have to pull it out for the ignition wires anyways so I really shouldn't even have to go into the engine bay which will be nice as well. Thanks for the insight! Sounds like it should be pretty straight forward then.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

Get the driver's door at the pin switch in the "B" pillar, BROWN / white I think. Yes I meant the vacuum compressor. Thinks, could you modify it to vacuum the car? Getting past the immobiliser is the problem but if you but if you can see the two wires in the ignition loom.... By the way, ACC x1 starter (violet) x 1 ignition pink primary x about 3!

Driver's door BROWN / grey, I cribbed! Hood pin BROWN / red, adjacent to the lock wires passenger side.

Ok. so basically I need to just figure out which side for sure the compressor is on, then pick up the door locks and hood pin in the loom along that side. Sounds pretty easy. Who knows when I'll actually be doing it, but atleast I know whether or not to take it on.. haha. Thanks for the info.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

Yes! I'm guessing the right but I can't be sure I've seen them swing the battery and management electrics side to side before now depending on left or right hand drive whereas BMW nearly always keep to one side.

this car is easy lock and unlock blue wire ,use 2 relays,do not program ignition door locks.

Why are the relays required... is it more than a 250ma draw to flip the locks? Everything I see shows it as just negative pulse... and nothing about needing the relays. And I never program ignition locks anyways, but is there a specific reason behind not programming it?Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

Kenny, I did loads of alarms (not R/S, hence my earlier posts) on C and E classes in the mid 90s. Fiddly but essentially easy and logical. Locks and door, hood and trunk triggers can all be picked up in the floor looms or the vacuum pump. NEVER used a relay.