W126 300SDL door cylinder lock problem

[werminghausen]

I have a real problem with my driver door cylinder lock. I can't open or close the door with the key any more. I am unable to turn the key and I am locking the car at the trunk lock. How can I solve the problem? What do you suggest?
Martin

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by werminghausen

I have a real problem with my driver door cylinder lock. I can't open or close the door with the key any more. I am unable to turn the key and I am locking the car at the trunk lock. How can I solve the problem? What do you suggest?
Martin

Martin --- does your key work in the Passenger Side front door? How worn is your key? I had this issue with my driver's door and a new master key solved the problem. You might want to get a matching new ignition cylinder --- it comes with a new master key. Replace the ignition cylinder and get a new master key; maybe kill 2 birds with one stone.

[werminghausen]

Originally Posted by daw_two

Martin --- does your key work in the Passenger Side front door? How worn is your key? I had this issue with my driver's door and a new master key solved the problem. You might want to get a matching new ignition cylinder --- it comes with a new master key. Replace the ignition cylinder and get a new master key; maybe kill 2 birds with one stone.

Thanks, my keys work perfectly in all other locks. I changed the tumbler in the ignition cylinder (VIN coded- w/ new keys).
Right now I cannot turn the key in the driver door cylinder (max. possible turn is 45 degrees right turn from the zero position..but this doesn't move the lock, no left turn at all!).


So all I need to do is changing the driver side cylinder (well I guess VIN coded)?

The question is: Can I remove the old cylinder without the key turning?

Best, Martin

[ah-kay]

How about installing Keyless remote and do away with the key? If you can open/close from trunk or passenger side then doing without the driver side is not an issue. $50 shipped.

[NoSparkNeeded]

I'm having the exact problem with my wife's 84 SD. I have the driver's side door handle
and lock completly apart right now I removed the pins and the lock mechanisim, but even
with the pin out I cannot remove the tumbler because the key won't turn. I was hoping
to just remove all the pins in the tumbler to get it working. After all who would even
try a screwdriver on an old car? Now I'm faced with taking the passenger door all apart
and swapping everything. I think that will work. Then she can keep the same key, although the passenger door lock will no longer be able to be used independently. She says she has Never used it that way so no biggie Seems like Mercedes created a chronic
flaw with all the lock cylinders. I wonder why the poor design? A 617 motor that will last
into the next century, crippled by poorly designed locks.

[gskurka]

Ditto with my driver side lock on a '91 350 SD. I put a piece of duct tape over the door lock so that I don't inadvertently put the key in and get it stuck. I replaced the ignition lock recently and have a new key. The old and new keys work fine in the passenger door and trunk. I'll be watching this post for a permanent fix.

Greg

[werminghausen]

Thanks,
from what I gather I assume with my driver door cylinder not turning I face the following conditions:

1) I can remove the cylinder lock even with the cylinder not moving (do you have a manual how to remove it?)

2) I cannot remove the or exchange the cylinder even if I had a VIN coded new cylinder lock.

3) I can remove the pins and plates inside the cylinder but this does not allow to turn key ...which seems to be the condition to exchange the cylinder lock?

How can I remove the old cylinder? Can I drill it out?
Who has solved this issue?

I asked MB to offer me a VIN coded cylinder. I'll report back if they send me a quote.

I am located in Oman/Middle East and it is quite some adventure to get parts here. So if there is an option to repair the old lock I am willing to accept this thankfully as an option.

Martin

[werminghausen]

Originally Posted by ah-kay

How about installing Keyless remote and do away with the key? If you can open/close from trunk or passenger side then doing without the driver side is not an issue. $50 shipped.

Can you send me a link for such a keyless system- $50?
Need someone who can send to Oman.
Martin

[ah-kay]

Originally Posted by werminghausen

Can you send me a link for such a keyless system- $50?
Need someone who can send to Oman.
Martin

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

This is the link. I installed keyless in my 300SDL but it is installed next to trunk lock. It is a bit difficult for average DIY. I am working out the instructions to install it by the vacuum pump ( in the spare wheel well ) but I have not got round to do a dry run yet. You can PM me if you are interested. $50 is for US or Canada, I will charge $50 plus the actual postage to ship to Oman.

[daw_two]

A replacement door handle with correctly keyed VIN matched key can be purchased from the dealer.

[ah-kay]

Originally Posted by daw_two

A replacement door handle with correctly keyed VIN matched key can be purchased from the dealer.

With due respect. Would the keyed lock, labor costs be less than $50 plus 1/2 hr of your time? The lock wears out because it was in use almost every day for the last 26 years. The alternate way to fix it is to swap the keyed lock from Passenger side to Driver side as the P-side is rarely used since new. All modern cars with Keyless entry would NOT have this problem. You kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

[NoSparkNeeded]

I "flipped" the passenger door lock with the driver's door lock. That worked fine.
A PITA for sure though for a first attempt. The next time, difficulty level about the
same as a valve adjustment. Now she has a non functional passenger side lock.
I rarely use that lock ever. I guess I should have "done the right thing" and purchased
the whole new handle, keyed properly, but after 25 years, I lost my job. The medical
group disbanded. Not a big deal, but now I cannot spend money for perfection, only for
function, if you get my drift.

[werminghausen]

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

I "flipped" the passenger door lock with the driver's door lock. That worked fine.
A PITA for sure though for a first attempt. The next time, difficulty level about the
same as a valve adjustment. Now she has a non functional passenger side lock.
I rarely use that lock ever. I guess I should have "done the right thing" and purchased
the whole new handle, keyed properly, but after 25 years, I lost my job. The medical
group disbanded. Not a big deal, but now I cannot spend money for perfection, only for
function, if you get my drift.

Thanks, before I do this swap the following questions

a) can the two handles be literally swapped. I mean left to right and right to left side....or do I need to move parts of the assemblies around?
b) part for driver side seems to be A 1267609959 and costs min 150 Euros...quite something. The tumbler is not available as a separate entity.
I still don't know if I can get the lock VIN coded for the old key.
c) Still don't know if there is a way to get the old handle removed without drilling the old tumbler out.
Can someone answer please.
Best, Martin

[werminghausen]

I just learned that the correct solution will be part number A 126 760 8359...275Euros plus 19 % VAT This one is VIN coded...

So no solution for me. I need advice on how to remove the old handle without a key. Is this possible?
Martin

[NoSparkNeeded]

I didn't try just flipping the whole handle over. I just assumed they would be different.
I removed the lock parts and swapped them. You have to drive out 3 pins to change them. The fatter little pin I had to pull out with an "easy out" as it doesn't go through.
Then I loosened the allen screw all the way, popped out the lock part and swapped them. I must say it never occured to me just to try and flip the whole handles, or I would have tried that. I often get tunnel vision when attempting something for the first
time. I'd say getting the darn door panels off and back on was a lot harder than swapping the lock parts. It did appear that had I been able to turn the key I could
have removed the tumbler.