So I wrecked my 1992 Mercedes 300D in indianapolis. Then I borrowed my moms toyota corolla for a while and went home to Nashville, TN where I live. I took the key off the keychain for some reason.

Now, I'm back in indy. I was going to try to drive the vehicle back to tennessee where some friends and I are going to work on the car. BUT... I spaced and left the key back in Nashville.

So now, Im trying to figure out how to bypass the ignition circuit and start the car directly off the battery.

Once it starts, Im sure I can keep it going by disconnecting the vacuum that controls the diesel shut off.

Any ideas are very welcome. Thanks everyone.

I dont mean to sound like a jerk, im really not, Its just im not 100% comfortable since you just joined this form telling you how to start a mercedes with no key. You will not be able to turn the steering wheel without a key so what good is starting the engine?

you should probably tow it anyway.

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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

I guess that makes sense. I would probably have to tow it anyway because the right rear wheel is sitting at a 15 degree angle. Didnt know about the steering thing anyway.

I would employ Fedex overnight shipping.

You want to drive a hotwired and wrecked car across a few states? The story sounds very suspect. If you really are the owner, the local dealer can get you a new key in a couple of days. Of course you have to show id and proof of ownership. If the title is still open, or you borrowed the car... no dice.

haaha, I got a kick out of that. When you put it like that, it definitely sounds very suspicious.

But yes, I do have the title (which is actually still clean somehow even after the accident), and I actually own two 300D's. The first is the wrecked one that is here in indiana (1992), and the second is one with a bad engine that is located in Nashville (1990). My objective is to get the one with the bad chasis down to nashville and perform an engine swap with the other one. I will start a new thread on the engine swap progress after I figure out how to get this car down there.

If you are serious about this, you will need to remove the dash. Then you will need to unbolt the steering lock retaining collar:

you will then need to drill a line of holes, or cut a line across the steering lock sleeve so that the metal 'nub' can get out. Once it is out, it will look like this:

You will notice that you can't unplug the ignition harness from the back of the ignition switch because the key must be in accessory mode to remove it. Dont worry, all you need to do is drill a 8-10mm hole in each of the three corners. This will reveal three flat head screws that need to be removed. The switch will then separate from the ignition lock and you will be able to turn the ignition switch with a screw driver to start the car.

An easier way to just get the car started is to get a ignition switch and wiring harness from the junk yard and unplug your old one and plug in the new one. This will allow you to start the car, but as previously mentioned- it will still have a steering lock. Hopefully your have perfect alignment and you are driving on a straight road

in exchange for my services, you are now required to buy one of my seatbelt logos:

and/or a LED CC unit:

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1993 2.6 (040) SportLinE 5-speed - Armed to the teeth w. roof rack/2x bike carriers/8x ski carriers/MB towing bumper
1993 2.6 (040) - deceased/reincarnated as a trailer.
1987 16v (702) - Now parting out(9/22/10)!!! - Email me your requests for 16v parts- Engine and full body kit avail!!
1987 300SDL (122)- For sale!

thanks chuni,

that seems really complicated. i was thinking it would be a matter of just splicing some wires from the battery directly to the starter.

Although I was thinking about trying to drive the thing, all I really need to do is drive the car up on a car transport carrier.

Oh well. I will probably just drive back to tennessee tomorrow in the corolla and grab the key. Or I guess I could go to mercedes and pay for a new key.

Crappy situation. Im sick of driving. The only reason I came up here was to get the car and i forgot my stupid key.

weak sauce! I know the feeling. You know with a little social engineering, the MB parts department can be persuaded to ship you keys. Keep in mind that even if you started the car and the steering lock wasn't an issue, you would still have to rip up your shifter wood to override the ignition cable that attaches to the shifter assembly so you can get it out of park.

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1993 2.6 (040) SportLinE 5-speed - Armed to the teeth w. roof rack/2x bike carriers/8x ski carriers/MB towing bumper
1993 2.6 (040) - deceased/reincarnated as a trailer.
1987 16v (702) - Now parting out(9/22/10)!!! - Email me your requests for 16v parts- Engine and full body kit avail!!
1987 300SDL (122)- For sale!

I think this was mentioned, but UPS FedEx and the USPS all have overnight delivery for under $20. Or you can tear your dash apart and start drilling. Boy that's sure is a tough choice. I guess I would need to think about it for a couple days. Of course if you have someone send you the key tomorrow, you will have it on Friday.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Have the folks at home in Tennessee send you the key by UPS next day air letter - at 10 bucks its lot cheaper than getting MB to make you a key OR driving to TN & back to fetch it...

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

i live alone

also another good point chuni, getting it in gear would be impossible. thanks for the info.

Chris G.

Keep in mind that if you get it started, the steering is still locked making it undrivable. There will also be a lot of problems with other functions of the car making it unsafe to drive, like lights, turn signals, cooling fans, A/C, Radio, etc,etc. Best to drive back home and get the key or have someone send it to you.
At all times, I have a key to every car I own in my pocket, and 2 keys for the car I am driveing at the time. And I HATE keys. They only keep the honest honest.
Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Duplicate thread.

Starting my 300d without a KEY