124 - Another Ignition Lock Cylinder Horror... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

a2t · #1 08-23-2007, 10:57 PM

Go out to car, must be 120F on the pavement, 140F in the car. Ignition locked, wont turn at all. Spend 3hrs ripping apart dash built like a bank vault. Towed home after several UFC style punches to steering wheel (I think my hand is broke). Finally, get it to turn to pos 1 using spare key and hour of jiggling. Got the black ring to come off, but lock cylinder still stuck in. Take off entire igntion assy, and BEAT the lock cylinder out.

Turns out a tumbler was jammed into housing. So I took all the tumblers out, we wont have this problem again G DAMN IT!!

Little bit worried about fact that all it takes is screw driver to start, so I'll repl with a new cylinder from MB.

Dammmmn that sucked. But thanks for this forum, the little coat hanger tool, and instructions. This wasnt something I'd of figured out on my own, and that steering wheel is waaay harder than my knuckles!!

pawoSD · #2 08-23-2007, 11:22 PM

Could always add a secret "disable" switch somewhere hidden....so despite the screwdriver ability to start (who would know that anyways) it'd not work without the secret disable switch in the right position.

Then again you could replace the tumbler and have it working properly...

lkchris · #3 08-24-2007, 01:20 PM

This happens to EVERY W124.

No need to take dash apart, there are special tools.

A professional can have this fixed in less than a minute, and many will have a "loaner" lock cylinder to give you until your matching key version arrives from a dealer.

Since the labor involved is so little, this is a job where DIY doesn't save much.

a2t · #4 08-26-2007, 01:13 AM

yeah but the lock cyl was jammed into housing, it didnt just come out.

took half hour of beating on it on the bench. sheesh what a pain.

Ive thought about kill switch, leave as is. Wonder how to wire one in? The last guy whole stole a car of mine was pretty bright (all things considered, if you overlook the fact he risked 10 yr felony for a $4k car).

blloyd7 · #5 08-26-2007, 09:01 AM

lkchris

Hello
I was reading your post about ignition swich issues.
I have had a '87 300TD for 8 years and sometimes the ignition switch / key gets 'sticky" kind of.

Any way you mentioned that is it an easy fix for a professional.

What exactly do I say to explain what I want them to do to do the fix that you suggest?

Thanks for the help.

Bernie

a2t · #6 08-26-2007, 05:29 PM

Its easy to DIY. Search on here for lock cylinder, theres a ton of posts. Anyone can repl lock cylinder from MB for $100. Its when the thing jams up and you cant turn to pos 1 that you are screwed. IF you are lucky enough to have fair warning, I'd heed it now! If you really want to take it in to dealer, they will prob charge $250 or so, just tell them you need a new lock cyl. You have to show proof of ownership.

BillyMac · #7 08-26-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

Go out to car, must be 120F on the pavement, 140F in the car. Ignition locked, wont turn at all. Spend 3hrs ripping apart dash built like a bank vault. Towed home after several UFC style punches to steering wheel (I think my hand is broke). Finally, get it to turn to pos 1 using spare key and hour of jiggling. Got the black ring to come off, but lock cylinder still stuck in. Take off entire igntion assy, and BEAT the lock cylinder out.

Turns out a tumbler was jammed into housing. So I took all the tumblers out, we wont have this problem again G DAMN IT!!

Little bit worried about fact that all it takes is screw driver to start, so I'll repl with a new cylinder from MB.

Dammmmn that sucked. But thanks for this forum, the little coat hanger tool, and instructions. This wasnt something I'd of figured out on my own, and that steering wheel is waaay harder than my knuckles!!

Care To Share how you did this,i junked a 190e because of this, never could get black cover off or get tumbler out even with Benz tools.

I do feel your Pain: BillyMac

carusle · #8 08-27-2007, 08:44 AM

If you take it to a dealer you will be lucky if they don't charge you $250.00 for the new matching lock cylinder plus labor to install.

hey_allen · #9 08-27-2007, 10:25 AM

Ok, I have a somewhat stupid lock cylinder question.

For those of you with MB original lock cylinders on your ignition, does it take the same key that the doors do?

The reason I ask is that my car has a standard key for the ignition (ridges on top and bottom of the blade, not the 4 faces that my door keys have).

I am interested in possibly getting a 'proper' cylinder for the ignition, if it matches the doors, but if the thing that is in mine is normal, to heck with it.

Also, I know the door cylinders can be disassembled and rekeyed/repaired. Can the ignition tumbler be done as well? If so, it might be worthwhile to just raid one from a junkyard and have the local locksmith rebuild it instead of paying MB's rates.

Thanks for any info, and sorry for a semi-related thread hijack.

pmari · #10 08-27-2007, 07:32 PM

Yep, trunk and glove compartment too. Valet key only fits doors and ingition Not sure about rebuilding the tumblers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hey_allen

For those of you with MB original lock cylinders on your ignition, does it take the same key that the doors do?

hey_allen · #11 08-28-2007, 05:34 AM

Thanks for the confirmation of that. I thought it should use the same key, from what I was reading in the manual, but I wasn't sure.

Now to just get an ignition tumbler to replace this questionable generic one that is already getting temperamental about working at times...

JimFreeh · #12 08-28-2007, 06:25 AM

I know I can get a new tumbler and key from the dealer for my USA spec cars....
But, will the dealer obtain a lockset for a grey market car?
If not, any other options for getting one?

My 84 280SL has two distinctly diffent keys, side cut for the doors/trunk, standard cut for the ignition.

Jim

a2t · #13 08-30-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Care To Share how you did this,i junked a 190e because of this, never could get black cover off or get tumbler out even with Benz tools.

I do feel your Pain: BillyMac

You gotta turn key to pos 1. Then slide the coat hanger tool in (FAR!) to unlock the black cover ring. Took an hour of jiggling it to get black ring off. Coat hangar must be shaved at ends to point (point facing away from centerline, 70 deg angle). But I still couldnt get lock cyl out, even with ring off. Had to remove whole ignition assy (press in little button to relieve steering wheel bar lock). Screwdriver, hammer, vise to push out lock cyl. Sheesh. Still havent repl the cylinder yet but I will.

BillyMac · #14 09-05-2007, 12:13 AM

Thanks a2t, Im Glad i sent the one i tryed to do over scale even with the right tools they seem hard to.

BillyMac

grindMARC · #15 09-07-2007, 08:36 AM

I paid a visit to the parts MB parts counter yesterday (first time I might add!). Anyway, I learned some useful information about the MB key cylinder. As mentioned earlier in this thread, it costs $96 (vs about $35 for an aftermarket). But there are some benefits.

1. Its made custom by MB for your car based on the original key that the car was built with. They also cut a new key to test out the cylinder that they make for you. And they toss in that new key for free.
2. If your key for an aftermarket cylinder is lost, MB will not be able to do anything for you. (search 'drilling out key cylinder'). However if you lose your key for a MB cylinder, its a simple matter of having a new key made.
3. Your current keys will work in the new MB cylinder and of course, the new key will open all of your current locks (door, glove box, trunk).

I guess this means that if you buy an aftermarket cylinder, have a BUNCH of extra keys made with the $61 you saved over the MB cylinder. And your pocket/purse will weigh a tiny bit more with the extra key you'll need to carry around.