star bulletin

Mercedes-Benz
The best or nothing.

Date:

April 2, 2013

Order No.:

S-B-80.61 /61 a

Supersedes:

S-B-80.61 /61, March 2013

Group:

80

Revision a: Updated with notes indicating key information required.

SUBJECT:

All Model Vehicles with Keys that have One Battery
Instrument Cluster Message "Replace Key Battery"

Customer Complaint: The message "Replace Key Battery" is displayed. Key battery life is perceived by
the customer as being too short.
Condition/Background: Product Technical Support is requesting specific data in order to further evaluate
the technical aspects of this complaint.
Action: Please open a PTSS case and include the following information in the case (scenario 1 & 2 below
requires you to open and close the case with no interaction from DTS):
Note: If you have Excel, fill out the excel sheet in STAR Teklnfo under DTS ->KG Key Battery Test Sheet
and attach to case. If you attach the excel sheet to the case, then you do not have to re-enter the
information indicated below in the case.
Required Case Information per incoming complaint associated Key:
Key Number

Indicate key number (check via SDS)

Key Date Code

Date code of the (last 4 digits on barrel)

Brand

The brand of the battery (Duracel, Panasonic, etc.)

Tensioned

Does service history indicate previously tensioned contacts?

Enhanced

Does service history indicate previously cleaned/enhanced contacts?

Battery Voltage

Measured voltage of battery currently in the key

This bulletin has been created and maintained in accordance with MBUSA-SLP S423QH001, Document and Data Control, and
MBUSA-SLP S424HH001. Control of Quality Records.

© 2009 Mercedes-Benz USA. LLC.
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
Dealer Workshop Services
www.MBUSA.com
www.startekinfo.com

All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation in whole
or in part is not pennitted without authorization from the
publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

1·800-FOR-MERCedes

Optional Case Information:
Driving Frequency

How many times a day, on average, does the customer get in and out of
their vehicle? Do they get in and out 20 times, 2 times, 8 times?

Ride length

What is the average drive length per drive cycle? This is important because
the KG system pings the keys every 5km for 20km - for a total of 5 times per
drive cycle max.

Driving habits

Where does the customer keep their key when driving?

Parking Habits

Where does the customer park their car? Do they lock it? Do they keep the
key in the vehicle overnight?

When creating the case, please use the symptom string >Overall vehicle>Safety and locking
system>Locksllocking!Remote closing mechanism>Discharged battery.

After creating a case, please proceed according to the following applicable scenario:
Scenario 1 - The key battery has never been replaced.

Please perform the following actions:
Tension the battery contacts (both center and side)
Clean the contacts using contact cleaner A 008 989 55 71 (both center and side)
Replace the battery with Mercedes-Benz part number A 000 828 03 88
Measure voltage of replacement key battery
Scenario 1 case closure - indicate the following per outgoing complaint associated key:
Key number
Key battery was replaced
Brand of replacement battery
•

Contacts tensioned and cleaned

•

Measured voltage of replacement key battery

Note: Cases submitted without incoming and outgoing key information, per key claimed, will have their
corresponding warranty claims denied.

2

S-B-80.61/61a

Scenario 2 - Repeat complaint for this particular key number, key battery has been previously replaced
and any of the following were not completed (according to service history):
Tension the battery contacts (both center and side)
•

Clean the contacts using contact cleaner A008 989 55 71 {both center and side)
Installation of Mercedes-Benz sourced battery (part number A 000 828 03 88)

Please perform the following actions:
Replace the battery with Mercedes-Benz part number A 000 828 03 88
•

Tension the battery contacts (both center and side)
Clean the contacts using contact cleaner A 008 989 55 71 (both center and side)
Measure voltage of replacement key battery

Scenario 2 case closure - indicate the following per outgoing complaint associated key:
Key number
Key battery was replaced
Contacts tensioned and cleaned
Brand of replacement battery
•

Measured voltage of replacement battery

Note: Cases submitted without incoming and outgoing key information, per key claimed, will have their
corresponding warranty claims denied ..
Scenario 3 - Repeat complaint for this particular key number, key battery has been previously replaced
and all of the following were completed (according to service history):
Tension the battery contact
Clean the contacts using contact cleaner A008 989 55 71
Installation of Mercedes-Benz sourced battery (part number A 000 828 03 88)
Please perform the following actions:
Open DTS case and follow the instructions received from Dealer Technical Support ..
Scenario 3 case closure - indicate the following per outgoing key.
Key number
Key battery or key was replaced
Contacts tensioned and cleaned
Brand of replacement battery or brand of battery in replacement key
Measured voltage of replacement battery or battery in replacement key
Note: Cases submitted without incoming and outgoing key information, per key claimed, will have their
corresponding warranty claims denied.
S-B-80.61/61a

3

A
Parts Information
Qty. Part Name
1

%

Part Number

A 000 828 03 88

Battery Unit

In Case of Warranty
Short test perform (54-1011)
Analysis form, fill out (02-3472)
Transmitter key batteries replace (after check) (80-2711or20-2611)
Damage Code
Operation Number
Time (hrs.)
Operation:

80602 73

54-1011
02-3472
80-2711 or 80-2611

Note:
Operation Number labor times are subject to change

•

4

S-B-80.61/61a

0.2
0.2
0.1

B
%

c

Key Battery Information Form (1 Sheet per complaint Key}
VIN
Mileage

INCOMING KEY

Key Number via SOS
Key Date Code
(last 4 digits on barrel)

Battery Brand
Tensioned
(YIN)

Enhanced
(YIN)

Voltage
(2 decimal places - e.g. 3.09V)

OUTGOING KEY

Key Number via SOS
Battery or Key replaced?
Key Date Code
(fast 4 digits on barrel)

Battery Brand
Tensioned
(YIN)

Enhanced
(YIN)

Voltage
(2 decimal places - e.g. 3.09V)

S-B-80.61/61a

5