Key stuff again - Not lock steering wheel? - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GregMN · #61 08-03-2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindajane

Hi,
So Now....If I get a replacement tumbler from my mechanic.
Can I Just buy the new tumbler and put it in?
I'm sure he's thinking he's going to do this

Putting it in is easier.

dieselbenz1 · #62 08-03-2016, 04:26 PM

Yes same procedure key in position 1, shove it in, tighten the black ring, done!
I'd say less than 2 minutes. Just tell him you want 10 minutes to try if you can't get it he'll be out helping you and I guess that would cost you the extra $40.

lindajane · #63 08-03-2016, 05:32 PM

Hello,

So I start the car with the screwdriver, a little difficult because the
wheel had locked. Got it to my mechanic....he's yelling at me
in a combination of Vietnamese and English, saying the housing
is damaged. He worked with it a long time, then he puts in
a Loaner tumbler and key. The wheel locks again, and the key
won't turn, so he took it out. Told me just to start with the
screwdriver since the housing is damaged anyway.
He told me to order a new tumbler, and new housing, and he
will put it in.
He had a new housing, but it was $190 plus tax, and he said I
may be able to find cheaper.
I was careful with the screwdriver, so I don't know how I really
damaged housing, unless it's very sensitive, or maybe it was
damaged already. So I basically went there and left in the
same condition. He didn't charge for the work he did trying to
figure out what was what.
He gave me the housing info, and told me to order this one brand
Valeo. If I don't order Mercedes Tumbler I'll have different keys for
the doors. You guys recommended who to order the tumbler from,
so I'll look at past posts.
Thanks
Linda

Graham · #64 08-03-2016, 05:54 PM

I posted before about how I overcame a similar problem for $0.00. Bad cylinder and problem with locking mechanism in housing. Don't know if anyone else tried it. Some no doubt think it is a crude fix! But it works and you can continue using your existing key to start car (or any key for that matter!)

Basically grind and/or file off the parts that stick out from the cylinder. Then put cylinder back in. It then works just like the screwdriver does, but won't do any damage. It will 'seem' to work just like it did originally. Only downside is that IF anyone knew that any key would start car, they could steal car. But that is a big IF and they would have to first unlock car anyway.

I have a new cylinder for my car, but see no point in installing it and then having the nuisance of separate keys for starting and doors.

See post #18,20 & others on this link: HELP. Ignition on my '83 300d wont turn. - Page 2 - Mercedes-Benz Forum

BWhitmore · #65 08-03-2016, 06:06 PM

Recommend you buy the new tumbler and switch from the Mercedes Classic Center. I believe your mechanic is wrong about the switch being damaged, but I am not there to see it. The tumbler with key that fits your doors/trunk and a new switch will cost about $360. Valeo does make parts for Mercedes. I guess it all depends on your budget and how long you plan to keep the car. While others have posted methods they have taken to disable the steering lock mechanism, I always try to think what effect this might have on the re-sale value of the car. If you car is in very nice -close to mint condition, then I would recommend fixing it properly. If not, then whatever it takes to make it dependable driver.

dieselbenz1 · #66 08-03-2016, 06:15 PM

Perhaps the tumbler assembly your mechanic tried was off just a bit and won't work while a genuine tumbler would. Try again to post picture inside the ignition assembly.

lindajane · #67 08-03-2016, 06:34 PM

Hi,

If I bought a tumbler and key, If the housing was ok, then that
could be installed?...Wondering if I took the car to another mechanic,
he could look and tell me if he thought the housing was damaged.
Don't know why this guy would think it's damaged if it's not.
Unless it means more money or something.
Maybe I could try and install the tumbler myself. I'm a bit
confused because the housing seems fine to me. He is adament
it's not. Just trying to keep the price down...didn't think this
stuff was so expensive...

GregMN · #68 08-03-2016, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindajane

...took the car to another mechanic...

There you go.

Or take BWhitmore up on his generous offer to help and have him look at it.

lindajane · #69 08-03-2016, 07:37 PM

Is it Happy Hour yet?....
I wish I knew another Mercedes guy close to me that
could look and tell me if the housing is truly damaged...
But then if my mechanic says it it, I guess I kinda have to
go with that, or use another mechanic.
Wish I was more handy.
But the noise my car makes when I turn the wheel right and left,
I thought it might be serious. My Mechanics said I just need to
add Brake Fluid. He said I could use Transmission fluid. So that's
a relief.

leathermang · #70 08-03-2016, 09:25 PM

You need a new mechanic...
do not sub
trans fluid for brake fluid...

lindajane · #71 08-03-2016, 09:25 PM

Hello,

Someone offered to sell me a tumbler and key that would work.
But If I wanted to go with Mercedes Tumbler, so I could Keep
the same Key for doors a well, Would I have to get it Only
Through Mercedes Dealership?
And the Housing, I could get that through the Parts Catalogue here?
or elsewhere where they sell it?
Thanks much,
LindaJ

lindajane · #72 08-03-2016, 09:32 PM

Thanks..
Yeah I kept saying Transmission fluid, and he said, yes, that will
work, and I said, SO on the Bottle it will say Transmission,
and he said yea. Glad I didn't buy any on the way home.
It's hard to get an explanation from him because he can be
hard to understand. He's known as a good mechanic with
mercedes, go figure.

GregMN · #73 08-03-2016, 10:07 PM

Your car was growling because the power steering pump was low on fluid. Many older cars can use transmission fluid in their power steering system.
The brake system would not cause noise turning the wheels.
If your mechanic really did say it was the brake system causing the noise and if he really did tell you it was OK to use automatic transmission fluid in the brake system, then you need a different mechanic.

I hope that you just heard wrong or misunderstood him.

My advice would be that you go to the dealer with your ID and title. Have someone come out and look at the tumbler housing to tell you that it is just fine. Then order a key and tumbler set that will match all the locks and keys original to your car. When you pick-up the new parts, install them in the parking lot. If you need any help, it will be right there.

BWhitmore · #74 08-03-2016, 10:59 PM

One final step on the installation process. Once the security bezel has been screwed on clockwise, the bezel must be turned about 1/4 turn counterclockwise until it clicks. With that click the bezel is now secure on the ignition switch housing.

lindajane · #75 08-04-2016, 02:23 PM

So About the Housing. Mechanic said it was bad. He put in a replacement
tumbler, and that tumbler also would not turn when the wheel locked.
Would that be because the Housing was bad. He took it out and told me
to just use a screwdriver. Can you usually tell by looking at it if the
housing is bad?