Midcity SmartKey starter

Midcity Engineering SmartKey Starter® (~400USD) is a plug-and-play remote start system for Mercedes-Benz W220 facelift vehicles.

It allows to remote start vehicle using factory SmartKey (using "Panic" button or "lock-unlock-lock" sequence).

Midcity remote starter on facelift W220.

Kit Contents

The kit consists of SmartKey starter module that hijacks connection to EIS and hence has to be installed between EIS and vehicle.

Installation

Mount the Smartkey starter module securely in the dash cavity away from any heat source and tie up all harnessing neatly and away from any heat source or moving parts.

In case of W220, starter module together with relays can be let down in instrument panel on the right from steering column (behind EIS).

KEYLESS-GO Connection

In order to activate KEYLESS-GO vehicle opening when the vehicle has been started using remote starting, an extra harness will have to be run to a separate CAN connector in the vehicle.

The aforementioned harness will be plugged into the 2 pin port next to the main connector on the Smartkey starter module. These instructions assume the Smartkey Starter® has already been installed in the vehicle and is working properly.

Instructions:

Locate the CAN distribution block that houses the KeylessGo connector.
Remove all connectors from the block that contain brown and brown/red twisted wires.
Locate the KEYLESS-GO module and unplug the KEYLESS-GO module.
Unclip and remove the connector cover from the KEYLESS-GO connector.
Locate the twisted brown and brown/red wires in the plug.
Insert a 10kΩ resistor between the brown and brown/red wires in the connector.
Using your meter, measure the resistance between the two wires on each plug at the CAN block that were removed in step 2 until you find the plug that reads 10kΩ across the two wires.
Plug all the other connectors back into the CAN block except for the KEYLESS-GO connector that you located.
Using a pick tool or small flat blade, open the retaining clip that holds the connecting terminals on the side of the connector housing.
Using a pick tool or small flat blade release the tabs on each pin and remove them from the connector housing. There are 2 separate times the release tab will need to be pressed down to remove it from the connector housing.
Close the retaining clip and put the empty connector housing back into the CAN block.
Insert the pins into the provided plug housing making sure the polarity is correct with the extension harness coming from the Smartkey starter. Brown/red--->Brown/red and Brown--->Brown
Close the retaining clip on the new connector.
Plug the connector in to the harness from the Smartkey starter.

Beginning with V27.4 (see serial number sticker on the rear of the SKS unit), there is an on board KeylessGo finder. This will make finding the correct plug for connecting to the KeylessGo system on vehicles that require it much easier. The basic install of the Smartkey Starter® needs to be completed prior to testing for KeylessGo (this guide assumes the starter module is installed and properly working).

Instructions

Locate the specified CAN distribution block where the KeylessGo connection should be made.
Turn the key to accessory (one click clockwise from the off position). If there is a push button in the ignition cylinder, it can be removed so the key can be inserted in its place. Grasp the button and pull it out of the ignition switch.
Look inside the Smartkey Starter® module through the end plate opposite the main wiring plug. You should see red LEDs that are lit up. One of those should be flashing at a slow pace.
In the CAN distribution block, begin to remove connectors one at a time. Each connector should be unplugged for 15-20 seconds each. Observe the flashing light as you do this. You should end up with two connectors that cause the flashing light to stop flashing and stay solid on or solid off.
Isolate those two connectors to one end of the distribution block and leave the rest alone.
Turn the key to the off position and remove it.
Take the two connectors from step 5 and remove one at a time. Once one is removed, use the keyfob to unlock the doors. Removing one of those connectors will cause the door locks to stop working from the keyfob and one won’t.
Take the connector that caused the door locks to stop working and plug it back in.
Connect the KeylessGo harness to the plug from step 7 where the door locks continued to work.

Operation

Smartkey starter system can be operated in a number of ways. This includes using the factory SmartKey remote control keyfob, an optional 1-way or 2-way long range remote control, or a remote smart phone controller application. For instructions on how to use the long range remote or smart phone controllers, refer to the operation manuals included with those systems.

To start the vehicle using the factory key fob, press the panic button once for half a second and release. The vehicle parking lights will flash once to confirm and then the engine will start within 5 seconds. Once the engine has started the parking lights will flash once every 5 seconds. The starter system will continue to run the engine for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes the vehicle will shut down. The vehicle can be remote started up to 5 times between normal key or push button start operation. To shut down the vehicle engine, press the panic button again. To perform driver takeover, insert the key into the ignition and turn to the "RUN" position. The parking lights will flash three times to indicate that the Smartkey starter has shut down but the engine will remain running.

For vehicles equipped with KEYLESS-GO function, press the KEYLESS-GO "START" button once. The parking lights will flash three times to indicate that the Smartkey starter has shut down but the engine will remain running. The vehicle security system remains intact while the engine is remote started. The KeylessGo and keyfob locking and unlocking will still function and the gear shift will remain locked until either a valid key is inserted into the ignition or the ‘START’ button is pressed while a valid key is present in the vehicle. If the footbrake is depressed or the hood is opened while remote started, the engine will immediately shut down.

Valet Mode

When servicing your vehicle the system should be placed in valet mode. Valet mode prevents the system from remote starting and allows proper servicing. Valet mode is controlled via the valet switch. The valet switch is a round toggle switch with a white dot marking the "ON" position on one side and no white dot marking the "VALET" position on the other side. To engage valet mode, depress the blank side of the switch. To turn off valet mode, depress the side of the switch with the white dot.

Note: When the system has been placed in valet mode, it is necessary to re-initialize the starter system before the vehicle can be remote started again. To reinitialize the system, first turn off valet mode and then simply start the vehicle with either the key or using the KEYLESS-GO Push Start Button and allow the vehicle to run for one (1) minute. The vehicle can now be remote started.

Non-panic Button Activation

W220s in the US and Canada have a panic button on the SmartKey keyfob. Most W220s in the world do not have a panic button.

Midcity SmartKey starter offers 2 types of factory keyfob activation - panic button or "lock-unlock-lock" sequence for those vehicles not equipped with the panic feature.

To program activation mode insert the key in the ignition switch and cycle it five (5) times from off to accessory (only one click in the clockwise direction) and back to off. The lights will flash once. Pushing lock at this time turns the "lock-unlock-lock" sequence on. Pushing unlock at this time turns the "lock-unlock-lock" sequence off.

Troubleshooting

When the remote start function terminates, the parking lights will flash a specific number of times to indicate the reason for shutdown:

3 flashes - normal shutdown
5 flashes - exceeded maximum number of remote starts - start vehicle with key or button for 1 min.
6 flashes - foot brake was depressed
7 flashes - hood opened
8 flashes - engine RPM too high
9 flashes - engine failed to start
10 flashes - communication error

If any problems are encountered, the remote starter system can always be reset using the folowing procedure:

Turn of ignition
Lock the car
Wait 5 minutes
Unlock the car
Start vehicle with SmartKey
Wait 1 minute
Turn off ignition