(Urgent!) Am I out of options? W126 Ignition tumbler - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rcounts · #16 06-30-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Funola that would give you my only key, I'll pass though thannks for the offer!

rcounts, that is a very good point, I will see what I can do about getting a key made. The "double security" key poses problems as not every shop can copy them with their equipment...I'll call around. I'm pretty sure the key is all the way in, butt no way to completely know and its worth a shot before I take the dremel to it. Thanks guys!

Is that the key with straight edges and the squiggly groove down each side? Or is it the type with teeth cut along both edges? If its the latter, almost any place that makes keys can do that. If its the former, then MB may be the only place to get one...

tbomachines · #17 07-02-2009, 08:13 AM

OK here's an update on my situation: Last night I was able to dig into the ignition. All of the other options and suggestions were helpful, but ultimately did not work (but thank you!). So I took out the gauge cluster, kick panel (PITA), and lowered the steering column. I planned on taking off the steering wheel, but it was so tight that all of my weight was not going to get it off. I thought I was going to break the flex bar on it. The countersunk hex bolt in the steering wheel showed signs of previous removal so at some point it was taken off

...I was able to get to the point where I inspected the whole mechanism via a mirror. The steering lock pin is in the front of the mechanism--so if you are sitting in the drivers seat, it would be facing you. Without being able to get the steering wheel off, I can't get the black plastic collar around the column off, which reduces the amount of room that I have to work with the pin. Now, dieselgiant has a writeup about the ignition lock and its removal, and I plan on following it. It directs you to either grind or punch out the lock pin and then slip the mechanism out to work on it. I tried to punch the pin, didn't work (not surprisingly). So now I'll be running to home depot for a small diamond grinding bit for the dremel and griding it down. Hopefully, everything will go well....

nhdoc · #18 07-02-2009, 09:41 AM

I have found the only good way to get the steering wheel bolt out is with a strong impact gun. Breaker bars just don't do it and you run the risk of breaking the steering lock by pressing against it.

The problem is someone might have used locktite on it or overtightened it but either way the impact gun will break it free.

rcounts · #19 07-02-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

OK here's an update on my situation: Last night I was able to dig into the ignition. All of the other options and suggestions were helpful, but ultimately did not work (but thank you!)....

So you cut down the head of your key and still couldn't get it to turn?

tbomachines · #20 07-02-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcounts

So you cut down the head of your key and still couldn't get it to turn?

I made sure that there was clearance between the head and the black ring, I could slip a piece of paper in there. I also soldered on a little "extension" to the tip of the key and filed it to where it would slip into the lock fine, and no luck. I think the tumblers are just all messed up. I peered in there with a flashlight and the things are all over the place, plus the face of the tumbler is freely rotating and moving around independently.

tbomachines · #21 07-02-2009, 11:49 PM

OK time for a break. I've been working on this stupid thing for the last few hours and I finally made some progress while taking some pictures. Hopefully this can be an educational tool and navigation point for anyone going through the same issue - and also I couldn't help but notice today's sticky was about stuck ignition keys

Okay so first things first, I had the instrument cluster out and steering column dropped. With that, I jammed in a socket between the steering collar and dash to give a bit more space. I had enough room to fit the dremel and grind down the pin holding the ignition mechanism to the column. A Tungsten Carbide grinding bit made mincemeat of the pin, took about 30 seconds to gut it. This allowed the whole mechanism to slide out, which took a bit of finagling.

After re-re-re-reading the DIYs on here and dieselgiant I decided to cut the ignition wired portion off, so I got the grinding wheel dremel attachment and cut off the screws. After disconnecting the electrical ignition switch, I could take the mechanism out of the car.

Now the fun part! I realized there was NO way of getting my tumbler out even with the whole thing out of the car. I put my thinking cap on (literally...I have one...) and decided to cut a notch in the black retaining ring where the detent was. The first picture here is the new tumbler next to the old one - where I was able to mark where to cut in order to get the detent "notch" right. Well I got it right! Next picture was after an hour of cutting...that steel is TOUGH! And about 1/4 inch of it too....

I still couldn't get the tumbler out, so the next step was to grind down the detent in the tumbler to slide it out. This took about another hour to do carefully with a diamond grinding bit. I got it low enough to unscrew the still-somewhat-functional black retaining ring and finally get that thing off! After more grinding, I was able to slide it out.

The last picture shows my small victory.

edit notes: On the old tumbler the key won't even go in much more than half way, and the face of it completely came off. The thing was somehow decimated. It simply failed on its own while I was trying to take the tumbler out. Funola if you really want a trashed tumbler you can have it - I'll put it away until a gtg or something.

whunter · #22 07-25-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

OK time for a break. I've been working on this stupid thing for the last few hours and I finally made some progress while taking some pictures. Hopefully this can be an educational tool and navigation point for anyone going through the same issue - and also I couldn't help but notice today's sticky was about stuck ignition keys

For members.

w126 ignition tumbler, not something to mess with
http://benzbeat.blogspot.com/2011/06/w126-ignition-tumbler-not-something-to.html

Motorcitydiesel · #23 07-25-2011, 03:30 PM

I just went through literally the exact same thing. And I had to do exactly what you did, grind off the collar. We did it carefully so as not to damage the threads on the main assembly and I was able to re-use it. I got a new matched key/tumbler from the dealer, It wasn't too expensive (I can't remember exactly how much now) and they had it in like a day. If it is jammed there is no way you're going to drill out the tumbler. Or, trying to cut the collar off in the car is a joke, that metal is tough! I got lucky and my key was turned enough so that the steering column locking pin was not engaged. This should serve as a warning for anyone with an older Benz, if you key is worn, then you tumbler is worn. Replace it now whilst it still turns and save yourself a major headache. Unfortunately, it sounds like this is what you were trying to do and it messed up on you. Anyone should just follow the tumbler removal instructions and do it if yours is old. Btw, mine is a 86 300 SDL