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  #1  
Old 12-26-2009, 09:58 PM
showme's Avatar
Mama's 300D
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 482
Sort of an emergency-Can't get back in the ignition

Hey, I just got back to the house, and I've had to leave the wife's 81 300d sitting across town. I got in awhile ago, drove 5 minutes to the other side of town, turned it off, got out, and 10 minutes later, I can't get my key in the ignition. I've tried turning the wheel both ways and run it through the gears(auto), but it looks like it's in the "locked" position. I've bent one key already. Anybody have some fast on what's going on here? It's never done this before. Plus, I left the windows cracked and it might snow or rain tonight. (It's 25 right now). THanks For ANy Help here, guys! The wife is not happy with me right now.

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Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe

***********************************


1951 Chevy 3100

2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster

1983 GMC 1 ton Dually

1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold)

'90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban"
(single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD

'81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD

'83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD

2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)
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  #2  
Old 12-26-2009, 10:03 PM
okyoureabeast's Avatar
Rogue T Tolerant
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North America
Posts: 1,675
This isn't good

Dieselgiant has a good write up on it, but it's not going to get your car back home.

http://dieselgiant.com/repairignitionlock.htm
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  #3  
Old 12-26-2009, 10:20 PM
showme's Avatar
Mama's 300D
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 482
Oh, man. Not that. Not in this weather! I can't even get the key back in the slot! It's like there's something actually in the keyswitch. The top section of the switch, the black bezel showing the key positions, can spin with the key, but not the deeper sections of the switch, like the tumblers aren't lining up, or if they are, like they're froze up. Is it possible for these switches to get warmed up, then freeze closed suddenly?
__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe

***********************************


1951 Chevy 3100

2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster

1983 GMC 1 ton Dually

1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold)

'90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban"
(single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD

'81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD

'83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD

2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)
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  #4  
Old 12-26-2009, 10:32 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 253
Quote:
Originally Posted by showme View Post
Oh, man. Not that. Not in this weather! I can't even get the key back in the slot! It's like there's something actually in the keyswitch. The top section of the switch, the black bezel showing the key positions, can spin with the key, but not the deeper sections of the switch, like the tumblers aren't lining up, or if they are, like they're froze up. Is it possible for these switches to get warmed up, then freeze closed suddenly?
Any place around to buy some 350 silicone fluid in a spray can? A Walmart store should have it and many of them are open 24 hours -- Walgreens should have it, CVS, etc.. Shooting some of that in there might allow the mechanism to work. If it does, I would not use the car again until you've had the lock seen to.

Hope that helps.
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  #5  
Old 12-26-2009, 10:59 PM
whunter's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 17,390
Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by showme View Post
Oh, man. Not that. Not in this weather! I can't even get the key back in the slot! It's like there's something actually in the keyswitch. The top section of the switch, the black bezel showing the key positions, can spin with the key, but not the deeper sections of the switch, like the tumblers aren't lining up, or if they are, like they're froze up. Is it possible for these switches to get warmed up, then freeze closed suddenly?
Try lock de-icer, it may work to free the tumbler..

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  #6  
Old 12-26-2009, 11:09 PM
Robert W. Roe's Avatar
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Join Date: May 1999
Location: Lehigh Valley PA
Posts: 1,330
This happened to my 1991 300TE.
If you do get it to work, just do not turn the key all the way off, or it might lock again.
If you can't get it working, the fix involves drilling out the lock ... not preferable to the former method.
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Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
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  #7  
Old 12-27-2009, 12:10 AM
showme's Avatar
Mama's 300D
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 482
OK, I'm back to the house again. I took my can of silicone spray and a few welding picks, along with a lighter to heat the key, just in case. I used the spray, then still couldn't get the key in, so I jiggled a part that was in the way out of the way. I took my heated key, and wiggled it in, then after a second or two of that, I was able to turn the key and start it. (After I had it cranking, I realized it hadn't had any glow time, but it tends to not want to start if you stop short the first time. Plus, I wasn't taking any chances of it not getting that far again. So, she's home and I left the key in it just in case. The wife says it's been giving her problems, but never a situation where it wouldn't turn if the steering wheel was knudged a little. This just didn't want to let the key in. Is it possible for the tumblers to be falling apart? Or is this a cold weather thing? Thanks for your ideas, everybody. It sure was a nice feeling to know that there was at least a chance that there would be somebody on line that could offer some good advice. Though I was really sweating bullets thinking about having to do that steering column work in this frigid weather. For some reason, the wind is making it feel like ten out there instead of 25. Thanks again. Lee
__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe

***********************************


1951 Chevy 3100

2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster

1983 GMC 1 ton Dually

1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold)

'90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban"
(single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD

'81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD

'83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD

2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)
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  #8  
Old 12-27-2009, 12:16 AM
Bryan Automotive
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bryan/College Station, Texas
Posts: 44
Most likely you are going to have to order a new tumbler. Unless there is moisture in the lock it should work fine. This is a common problem. You can PM me with your information and I can order a new tumbler for you. It is very easy to replace so long as the key is in the number two position and not locked up as it was before. Or you can order one from Mercedes $$$$ or possibly a salvage yard tumbler with key would work to.
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  #9  
Old 12-27-2009, 01:09 AM
tbomachines's Avatar
ಠ_ಠ
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 7,362
My tumbler literally fell apart on me when I was trying to change it out...causing a major headache. I would swap it out while you have the key in there working. Having grease in it is also a concern, locks do not like that stuff. My advice is swap ASAP--dealer can order a new key and tumbler to match your doors/trunk with the VIN and proof of ownership.
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  #10  
Old 12-27-2009, 01:44 AM
Craig
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I bought one from the dealer about a year ago. Based on the VIN, it had the correct key and came with one new key. I think it was in the $100-200 range and took a few days. Give the dealer a call and get a price.
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  #11  
Old 12-27-2009, 03:06 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 345
You are on borrowed time with that tumbler. I know a bunch of people that had the key start to stick (including myself) and put it off, only to have it freeze and leave them stranded. Its a cake job to swap the tumbler while its working, and a royal PITA when it freezes. Not to mention you have to replace the entire locking mechanism as well. If you need a cheap fix, i have a used tumbler and key. Pm me if you want it.
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  #12  
Old 12-27-2009, 10:48 AM
whunter's Avatar
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 17,390
Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by showme View Post
OK, I'm back to the house again. I took my can of silicone spray and a few welding picks, along with a lighter to heat the key, just in case. I used the spray, then still couldn't get the key in, so I jiggled a part that was in the way out of the way. I took my heated key, and wiggled it in, then after a second or two of that, I was able to turn the key and start it. (After I had it cranking, I realized it hadn't had any glow time, but it tends to not want to start if you stop short the first time. Plus, I wasn't taking any chances of it not getting that far again. So, she's home and I left the key in it just in case. The wife says it's been giving her problems, but never a situation where it wouldn't turn if the steering wheel was knudged a little. This just didn't want to let the key in. Is it possible for the tumblers to be falling apart? Or is this a cold weather thing? Thanks for your ideas, everybody. It sure was a nice feeling to know that there was at least a chance that there would be somebody on line that could offer some good advice. Though I was really sweating bullets thinking about having to do that steering column work in this frigid weather. For some reason, the wind is making it feel like ten out there instead of 25. Thanks again. Lee
Here is all the data that you need on the issue.


Ignition Cylinder Tumbler replacement; mixed diesel/gas
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/142232-ignition-cylinder-tumbler-replacement%3B-mixed-diesel-gas.html#post1065596
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  #13  
Old 12-27-2009, 11:45 AM
TnBob's Avatar
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Shelbyville, Tn
Posts: 1,907
I had a Volvo ignition do a similar thing of locking up. To avoid having the 're-key' mess... I took my new yard ignition and a copy of my key to a locksmith and had him reset the new ignition to the old key. Worked like a champ. He only charged me about $20 and that was in Los Angeles.
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1992 940T

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  #14  
Old 12-27-2009, 02:51 PM
showme's Avatar
Mama's 300D
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 482
Alright, it's early afternoon, and I just took the car out for a spin. Wanted to see if it would even start (turn the key), and it did. I'm using my key (the spare) right now, even though my wife's has always seemed to work better, but I'm not taking it out of there! Not until it warms up a little, anyway.
Thanks for all the comments and help since I got on last night, and before. I had a problem with my trunk lock last year up in Redwing, MN, and told myself I was going to order new keys and a tumbler for the trunk. I'm thinking new for both right now. Since this is a worst case scenario for money right now, it's going to have to wait a bit. I'd like to at least get my wife's key back in there, but I'm not pulling that key out till it warms up some.
I used my welding pick to open the tumbler slot, and had my keys in a handwarmer and used a lighter on it before I put it in. I really think that between the silicone and the pick, it opened up fine. I must have turned it to far to lock and then when I pulled the key out, it either froze or was in a bad way anyway. Regardless, the little sliding cover piece, or whatever it was (looked like a broken off screwdriver end when I first looked in there with a flashlight), moved out of the way with the pick, and after that it was just being able to work it into they slot and work the tumblers open. The key was a little tight, but at least it eventually turned to start.
I use graphite powder once or twice a year, but not much and nothing else. I guess I haven't used any in at least 6 or 8 months. Maybe that's what started it.
My drivers window was halfway down and the wind was coming from that direction. I was going to run a few miles at the school track, and had the heater on going over there, and figured I'd not fog up the inside of the car from sweating and breathing hard by opening the windows a little. I'll probably catch hell about this story, but that was the deal. I'm recovering from an injury, so I can only run a mile, which is why it was only about ten minutes out of the car. Thanks for the offers, rooster and spamman, I really do appreciate them. But I can't buy anything right this minute, even if i wanted to. Thanks for all the answers and help. Last night at 8:30 here in southeast Missouri, I was feeling pretty helpless, but you all came through and I do appreciate it. I'll keep you informed on what gives next.
__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe

***********************************


1951 Chevy 3100

2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster

1983 GMC 1 ton Dually

1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold)

'90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban"
(single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD

'81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD

'83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD

2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)
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  #15  
Old 12-27-2009, 03:14 PM
showme's Avatar
Mama's 300D
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 482
Oh, and Whunter, you've managed to help me so many times, it's not even funny anymore. Thanks, as always, for your great list of reference material. As one guy said, you must know the search process on this forum better than anybody. Thanks for being here. Lee

__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe

***********************************


1951 Chevy 3100

2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster

1983 GMC 1 ton Dually

1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold)

'90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban"
(single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD

'81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD

'83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD

2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)
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