Wagon Hatch Lock Cylinder Questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Graplr · #1 03-31-2012, 07:47 PM

So when I bought the 79 300TD, there was a key stuck in the rear hatch and had been for a few years. The rear hatch was inoperable (hasn't mattered to me as its been a garage queen so far). Today I managed to get the rear door open by taking off the panels from the inside and fiddling with the locking mechanism. I opened the door and took the lock out by unbolting all the trim. I had to cut part of the key with a grinder to isolate the cylinder from the trim.

The key and cylinder will not turn at all but I did get the "button" to move in and out.

Anyone know what the best plan of attack is? I already tried pulling it out with pliers. Sprayed Wd40 into every thing. There is a screw on the inside and it does move but it seems to stop at a certain point of withdrawing it with a screwdriver and I don't want to wreck the head.

Would taking it to a locksmith be of any use? Could they extract it and get my lock functional?

Thanks,
Ryan

Graplr · #2 04-02-2012, 01:34 PM

Any ideas?

andrewjtx · #3 04-03-2012, 09:53 AM

Just take your title down to the MB dealer and order a new cylinder that matches your car.

Graplr · #4 04-03-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

Just take your title down to the MB dealer and order a new cylinder that matches your car.

I didn't know they made cylinders to match keys as well. I thought it was just keys. Thanks, I'll give them a call.

Biodiesel300TD · #5 04-03-2012, 12:05 PM

Have you tried getting the lock barrel out of the housing. You might have to shave down the key to get the outer sleeve off the barrel. I can't remember how it all comes apart, but I think all of the mechanism should be screwed onto the interior part of lock. Then you may be able to slide the barrel out. You must have one of the brass parts inside the lock that it jammed up and keeping the key from coming out.

andrewjtx · #6 04-03-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

I didn't know they made cylinders to match keys as well. I thought it was just keys. Thanks, I'll give them a call.

MB will do anything... for a price

Kidding aside, a new cylinder shouldn't cost you that much. I think an ignition cylinder is on $50-60 bucks.

Some might say just buy a new cylinder from one of the aftermarkets, but that will be a new key. Personally, I care to keep everything keyed to the original set, more value in that for me.

Biodiesel300TD · #7 04-03-2012, 01:02 PM

One trick to rekeying a lock to a new key, is once the barrel is removed, you can insert the key of choice, then file down the brass inserts that move up and down. Once the ones that are sticking up with the new key are filed down to the cylinder the new key will allow the cylinder to rotate and work normally. I've done this with a couple locks over the years that we miss-matched.

Biodiesel300TD · #8 04-03-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

MB will do anything... for a price

It's true though. They'll make you just about anything if your pockets are deep enough.

martureo · #9 04-03-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

MB will do anything... for a price

Kidding aside, a new cylinder shouldn't cost you that much. I think an ignition cylinder is on $50-60 bucks.

Some might say just buy a new cylinder from one of the aftermarkets, but that will be a new key. Personally, I care to keep everything keyed to the original set, more value in that for me.

I've been informed that you can no longer get a new ignition cylinder for your car. You'll instead get a new one and have one chance to order keys for that new cylinder. After the initial order has been placed you can't even order new keys for the new cylinder.

I'd personally try to grab a junkyard cylinder and tear it to pieces trying to figure out how to fix the one you have. I'll probably be down the same road soon.

vstech · #10 04-03-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

I've been informed that you can no longer get a new ignition cylinder for your car. You'll instead get a new one and have one chance to order keys for that new cylinder. After the initial order has been placed you can't even order new keys for the new cylinder.

I'd personally try to grab a junkyard cylinder and tear it to pieces trying to figure out how to fix the one you have. I'll probably be down the same road soon.

WTF!!! are you serious?
when did this go into effect?

ScooterABC · #11 04-04-2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

The rear hatch was inoperable (hasn't mattered to me as its been a garage queen so far). Today I managed to get the rear door open by taking off the panels from the inside and fiddling with the locking mechanism.

...so I'm assuming that in addition to having a key jammed in a non-working lock, you also have the pot metal on the door lock mechanism broken so that the interior handle doesn't work, right? Let me know if you want to buy the mechanical latch mechanism with non-broken pot metal...

martureo · #12 04-04-2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScooterABC

...so I'm assuming that in addition to having a key jammed in a non-working lock, you also have the pot metal on the door lock mechanism broken so that the interior handle doesn't work, right? Let me know if you want to buy the mechanical latch mechanism with non-broken pot metal...

PM sent, this is my problem.

andrewjtx · #13 04-04-2012, 04:00 PM

Yeah, this is a fundamental thing for MB. I know you can still go get keys ordered for your original cylinder. I just did it the other day for the parent's 240d.

If MB Center said they were going to stop selling cylinders to match cars, they'd be kicking themselves in the arse.

Graplr · #14 04-04-2012, 06:24 PM

I called my local dealer today. Parts guy looked and said I couldn't get a cylinders matched to my key. I could buy a generic one for $185 and then take it to a locksmith to match it to my key.

Next step is to call a locksmith and see what they can do.