Thank you diesel911: It is looking like I will either have to do the break and enter thing or get a locksmith. I went underneath to see if I could see the vacuum resovoir or something resembling the black bubble looking thing that is behind the bumper on the diesel wagons (vacuum resovoir?)but it is not there on this one.
I believe that on the 420 sel parts car I have there was a larger diameter solid yellow vacuum line that comes from the area of this electric vacuum pump (trunk??). Can't see that either from outside the car or in the engine compartment. It probably exists from the electric vacuum pump and goes to the doors which is inside the car. Really is no way to get at it from outside the carthat I could see.

This thread is a great reminder to all to have a spare set of keys.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

tell me about it... I need that car out of the garage so I can attend to my 85 300 td headgasket thread.

I wonder if I could make a slim jim out of some flat metal and pull on a rod from between the glass and bottom weatherstrip edge. It used to work on the mustang. I am not sure if mercedes cars are designed for slim jim's to work? How would a tow truck driver get into this car?

correct... no external access to the lines...

one thing to check... is the gas door locked? if not, then it's likely the doors have had an aftermarket lockers installed...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Best suggestion so far is to get a set of keys from the dealer. Title in your name in hand and it should cost between $15 / 20

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Yes, the gas door is locked.

Got the door open with a coat hanger... three hours later. Then the horn/alarm went off, lights blinking, while I was tightening the battery clamps. I think it went off when I touched the hood sensor thing up by the battery. I also had the d.s door open. Fixed theproblem by rolling down the window and closing the door all the way.

About a minute of cranking and the engine started. The voltage regulator was putting out 17.81 volts so I shut it off. Probably too high for a brand new fully charged battery?
Thanks to all that helped me out.

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Charging voltage of 17.81 is way too high for any 12V battery. Fix it now otherwise you will be burning parts.

In general, older cars would charge in the 13.2 - 13.8 range. With the advent of maintenance free batteries in the mid 70's charging voltage was upped to 13.8 - 14.2 range.

A discharged battery will drag the charging voltage down until the state of charge rises.

Some numbers to know: For a 12V lead acid battery that has been sitting for 8 hours not being charged / discharged, terminal voltage will reflect state of charge.

Voltage % charge
12.66 100%
12.42 75%
12.18 50%
11.94 25%
11.70 0%

Take a standard car battery below 20% too often and it will be damaged.

Cold temps are good for storing a battery as it slows the chemical process. However battery electrolyte will freeze if the temps are too low and / or the battery is discharged.

Storing a battery on concrete will _NOT_ cause it to go bad or discharge.

Thanks... there is some good information on there. I turned the car off as soon as I tested it and found it at 17.81 volts. It was'nt even running 5 minutes.

Hopefully there was no damage done?

I have taken the voltage regulator out, and am going to get a new one tomorrow.

I just went out to measure the voltage of the battery and it reads 12.69 volts.

and getting a spare key until the set from the dealer arrives ?

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Yes,,will take the title and i.d to the dealership. Now that I have a key can the dealer cut a spare? Thanks.

If you have an older model steel key, they are sent off for a key to be cut, then you have to bring in proof of ownership and sign for the key when it ships back in. They do not cut the keys at the dealership.
I just recently got my valet key for my 123 and that is how it worked here.

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In the short term you can get away with high voltage. Given you were cranking the engine and the battery was discharged, system voltage was high just a short time while running.

Bought a new regulator and installed today...but still having issues... I will start a new thread to explain since we are getting off the topic of locked in keys. If you want to follow on at the new thread 97 sl320 that would be great Thanks.