public service announcement, ignition tumbler swap
 

Just thought id relate a little consequnce on changing my stuck ignition on my 83 240D.

The lesson I've learned is make sure you still have a key for the glove box before you finish the job.

I'm driving a 30 year old car, with who knows how many copies of copies of the original keys, which are long gone. I bought the car with a door key and ignition key. Its got close to 375k on it now.

The door key turns out to work in all the locks and trunk EXCEPT the glove box.

Now my story-


4-5 months ago I got tired of my glove box popping open. I have a cracked blue dash and a bit sloppy glove box handle. Solution to this was lean over and lock the glove box so it wouldn't pop open.
Worked perfectly, has not been an issue since.

Fast forward to 3 months ago. My ignition key jammed one day in the scalding heat. Had the car towed to a shaded area, let it cool off, and played with the ignition for over an hour until I got it to turn, then replaced the tumbler with a spare I had.
Satisfied with the job and the new key, threw the old tumbler and key in metal recycling.
All was well.

Fast forward to yesterday. On a long drive, got pulled over for whatever reason by the cops. (A piece of my front license plate was nipped months ago by local hoodlums, cop wanted to discuss it)

Cop asked for license and registration. Registration turned out to be locked in the glove box with insurance, and the key which opened it is now long gone. Door key did not open the glove box. Icing on the cake is the car is registered in a state where titles are not issued after 10 years old. My proof of ownership is that registration, so MB won't be cutting me any replacement key.
Cop was a good sort and found my predicament amusing fortunately, situation could have easily been different. He preferred to have a good chuckle at my situation vs creating all the problems he could have, and ticketing me for missing vital documents.
I now have to either drill the lock, pick the lock, or order a duplicate registration from the dmv and then visit the dealer to get another key.

The lesson: when you swap you ignition tumbler, make sure you still have one key or a combination of two keys that will open ALL the locks.

you couldn't have been speeding:)

what town were you in with the sharp-eyed cops?

Somewhere in Virginia near Norfolk. I was travelling at a respectable 65mph :D

Use a vibratory sander to get the pins jiggling. Or drink too much coffee and try again.

lol

no, I just don't have the key, it was the ignition key that opened the glove box. I got rid of that key. No key I currently have will open this.

However, I may be able to pull the catch on the back side with a pick from above the lid. The gap there is a lot larger than when the car was made. Large enough to be able to see in slightly

you should be able to get a replacement registration from your plate at the DMV... then a replacement key from the dealer... assuming the original key was the ignition...

MAKE SURE THE GLOVE BOX LOCK IS THE ORIGINAL FROM THE CAR, OTHERWISE THE KEY YOU GET AT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT WORK.

Glad you reminded me. I've gotten popped in VA also. It was during a Thanksgiving run to NC. Apparently VA drops the speed limit and my speedometer disagreed with the officer's radar. Cop asked me how fast I was going. I replied that since I hadn't received a ticket in years, I must drive the speed limit or slower. Cost was slightly over $150 counting court costs which is strange because I didn't go to court. I hat police. What kind of piss poor individual would apply for the job? They should all be put in jail.

I suggest just replacing the glove box door with one that you have (or can get) a key for. It is easy to remove jut by loosening the screws on the hinges. Once the door is off, a replacement door or lock can be installed....Rich

on my recent trip to Raleigh, I must have passed 30 speed traps... crazy the amount of them on the highway...

I got popped for the corner of my front plate being cut off. The plate is a light color, so it attracts the eye. someone stole my reg sticker by taking a piece of the license plate, but that happened back home.

No big deal though, was on my way with no tickets and a cordial conversation, despite my failure to provide registration or insurance, so id call it a good encounter overall.

SPEAK UP I CAN'T HEAR YOU. :D

You don't need the correct key, you're doing an electric high speed "bump" picking method. Put any old key in, and put the sander on the back of it. It's kind of ham fisted gorilla tech but it should work.