1985 300D, It appears any flat object can unlock my car.
 

I finally got my door tumbler to start working again with some graphite lubricate!

However the lock was feeling too loose, so I tried my mail box key. That subsequently unlocked my door :eek:


In fact a flat head screw driver is enough to open my car. Comforting to know this I guess, I now lock my trunk and leave absolutely nothing of value in the cabin.

I'm guessing I need a new door tumbler.I also know this is a dealer only item, but is there any way to refurbish the existing tumbler (eg unsticking the pins)?

sure, the tumbler is easy to open up and clean out. but if you have no issues turning it with a flat key, it's likely the leaves are damaged.
you could go to a salvage yard, and pull the tumblers from other cars and gather up the leaves by the numbers on them and rebuild your tumbler.

Where do you live?

Theres a thread here somewhere about opening it with a tennis ball--Why the f did they have to make the door locks vaccum anyway?????????????????????

I wish they'd sell them somewhere, because they're often worn. And only a few of mine had numbers for some reason. Maybe a locksmith can rebuild...

Yeah, after I got into my sd's driver tumbler both my benz keys will open the driver door...haven't tried my motorcycle key in it yet...but that probably works too.

I just don't yell it too loud. maybe now I'll need to build a new tumbler for it.

Thats just a myth. Can't happen. The lock mechanism is a bit more sophisticated than that. Also, the vacuum unit is way down inside the door. A tennis ball would do nothing.

Hey josha,
Do you consider yourself a "flat object"?
Do you think you could start it as easy as it would be to open!!
I am just stirring!!:P

Adam,
How good is your ignition lock? :confused:

I knew a guy, back when I was a student, that used to remove the rotor button from his gasser so that no one could start it.
Not sure what you could do to a diesel.

Why bother is what I say. If you leave something of value in your car, no thief is going to stick a key in the door when the window is so much easier to break in.

The chances of someone trying to steal your diesel benz vs the chances of you catching up with them on foot as they attempt to get away?

As long as YOU can get in the car I wouldnt bother messing with it. If you leave valuables in your car its just a matter of time before you are going to replace the window. Your best bet is to quit leaving crack bait in the car and leave the doors unlocked. Maybe even windows down. In the summer when its not rainy I generally leave my windows down.

When I worked downtown I passed an Explorer with a funny PostIT note in the window "Come on in, the doors unlocked".

Yes, a locksmith can rebuild, we have a master locksmith here at work. he's rebuilding my gray market car locks.

that's just it with the benz. it's EASY to take out and rebuild the tumblers.

This random hick town. I think it's called Seacattle in the state of Washingtown or something ;)

I agree with Winmutt, I don't leave anything of value in my car (except the tools in my trunk) however it is just a little unnerving knowing that. :o

@Layback, the ignition switch is perfectly fine. I have no issues starting the car and releasing the wheel lock. I think the door tumblers have been damaged because of water in the lock from the constant freezing. I just got them working again since I got out here to California.

Wow VS you're fast at editing titles!