Key Won't Turn Mercedes in Parking Lot! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lindajane · #1 07-30-2016, 06:36 PM

DARN,
My Mercedes 300D 84, the key will not turn on.
The steering wheel is locked. I've tried every gear,
every way, it won't turn. Took buses home, now I'm
looking for spare key, If not, I have to get towed to
the mechanic. Any advice?
This has never happened before
Thanks
LindaJ

leathermang · #2 07-30-2016, 06:41 PM

So sorry to hear that...
I guess for the future.... have a spare key container glued under the car somewhere..
Have AAA for its towing feature...
otherwise , hope your system for keeping spare stuff findable is better than mine...

OM617YOTA · #3 07-30-2016, 06:43 PM

Hopefully an MBZ guru will jump in here, I have no experience with MBZ's, just a teensy bit with the 617 engine. While the below advice works for most vehicles on the road, I can't confirm that it actually will for yours:

Try twisting the steering wheel one way or the other while turning the key. This might take some significant force. Doing so takes tension off the steering lock mechanism, allowing it to retract and the key to turn.

rasper · #4 07-30-2016, 07:02 PM

If your spare key does not work, you are probably faced with a bad lock tumbler mechanism. If you do what the above Mad Scientist recommended and you get the steering wheel unlocked, do not, under any circumstances turn the key back and remove it so that the steering wheel locks again. Drive it to someone who can remove the lock mechanism. If the steering wheel is locked, getting the lock mechanism out is a major problem.

Some people here have reported that they have spent as much as an hour wiggling the steering wheel and the key before they could get it to turn. That is an hour well spent compared to the alternative.

I was fortunate enough to get mine unlocked in about five minutes. Before I put the mechanism back in the car with a new lock tumbler, I used JB Weld to disable forever that little pin that locks the steering wheel.

Richard

funola · #5 07-30-2016, 07:09 PM

Bring a soft lead pencil with you, rub it all over the key, insert in tumbler, repeat 20 times to get some graphite in there. Then hold the steering wheel , turn it left and right while jiggling/ turning the key. Keep doing that till key turns. May take 15 to 30 min, or of you're lucky just a few minutes.

engatwork · #6 07-30-2016, 07:15 PM

I hate when that happens.

lindajane · #7 07-30-2016, 07:23 PM

Hello,

I just found my spare key, Finally in an old jacket.
Might this key work?
One man in the parking lot thinks that maybe my
key, is worn down a bit, some sharp corners missing.
I tried turning the wheel strongly to the left and
right while trying to turn the key, but no luck.
And the pencil trick. Do I literally draw on the key
with the pencil?, what does that do?
Thanks

leathermang · #8 07-30-2016, 07:27 PM

He is referring to graphite powder.. in some ways a lubricate... though in the long run not recommended due to its ( INcreased WEAR properties.. graphite is very hard stuff but seems soft when powered... non lubricant properties word I can not remember )
it can be bought in small tubes I believe which would be much easier than pencil lead .... I think Rasper is probably correct though....

Home Depot...
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/17993147804351076453?lsf=seller:8740,store:642739419452748153&prds=oid:13655224144785305275&q=graphite+powder&hl=en&ei=DjmdV7Bi48SPBPzhh5gH&mid=sF2BZPNpH%7Cdc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_111422834105_pkw__pmt__product_100137063_slid_&lsft=gclid:CjwKEAjwoPG8BRCSi5uu6d6N5WcSJABHzD8FW7PxDwP8xs5lIZPjuUEi7xVr5MxBM2AjkiL9-PT_6hoCKczw_wcB

lindajane · #9 07-30-2016, 07:30 PM

Would spraying WD-40 Help, sprayed onto the key?

leathermang · #10 07-30-2016, 07:32 PM

It might... but technically WD40 is not a lubricant..it is a water dispersent and increases the torque required to tighten bolts.... . although it is used like that all the time..
BUT... there are electrical things inside that mechanism... so I would not use it myself... it also leaves a gummy film compared to some things....
I would be more prone to spraying an electrical cleaning spray into there which does not leave any film...

funola · #11 07-30-2016, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindajane

Would spraying WD-40 Help, sprayed onto the key?

Nothing but dry graphite should go in tumblers.

funola · #12 07-30-2016, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindajane

Hello,

I just found my spare key, Finally in an old jacket.
Might this key work?
One man in the parking lot thinks that maybe my
key, is worn down a bit, some sharp corners missing.
I tried turning the wheel strongly to the left and
right while trying to turn the key, but no luck.
And the pencil trick. Do I literally draw on the key
with the pencil?, what does that do?
Thanks

yep, use the pencil to crayon every nook and crannies of the key, insert in tumbler in and out quickly a few times. Crayon key again, insert. Do that 20 times. This will disperse the graphite into the tumbler to lubricate the guts without gumming it up.

Pencil your door locks too if you don't want them to get jammed.

lindajane · #13 07-30-2016, 07:56 PM

So I literally take a pencil and try to draw on the key,
all over where the key goes into the ignition?...I hope
the pencil will hold onto the key...

tyl604 · #14 07-30-2016, 07:57 PM

Turn the steering wheel gently right and left with the key inserted. Get a feel for jiggling the key as you turn the wheel - a little like flyfishing. Hopefully you will feel it unlock. Then start it and drive straight to your mechanic.

lindajane · #15 07-30-2016, 07:57 PM

Does it Matter If I turn my Locked Steering Wheel to the Left or
Right when trying to unlock it?