Replacing ignition key assembly - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #16 11-07-2018, 01:24 AM

Uh, well, uh, looks like I thought I was pretty clever but reality has a different idea. Tonight, I have the radio on, I pull up to Home Despot, turn off the key, the engine stops, I prepare to get out and I see the radio is still on, the battery and antilock lights also. Not the glowplugs however.

Still, not good. Looks like I'll need to replace that ignition switch after all. Not sure what the down side might be of having the ignition stuck in what I'm guessing would be called 2nd position, that is if 'off' is first position. 3rd would be glowplugs, 4th engaging the starter.

I forgot what those positions are actually called, found this:

Quote:

Lock: This is the off position. ...
Accessory: In accessory mode, you can listen to the radio, as well as use some other electronics. ...
On: This turns on all of your electronics. ...
Start: Turn the key to this position to crank the engine.

Accessory mode, of course, that's what I'm stuck in. It's been years since I thought the words "accessory mode."

I'm going to go out now and unhook the battery. Holy crap.

cmac2012 · #17 11-07-2018, 05:51 AM

I think I'm going to get new tumblers also. Something feels funky inside.

Bilstein and/or Meyle are $22, MB is b$180. I dunno, I'm thinking Bilstein is unlikely to put their name on crap.

Anybody have experience with these?

Diseasel300 · #18 11-07-2018, 09:26 AM

Having one of each of the aftermarket cylinders (including that expensive MB one that I wound up not having to pay for) are all the same crap. Buy the cheapest you can get your hands on and swap it out if/when it starts feeling funky.

Replacing the ignition switch assembly isn't all that difficult since you have a working ignition lock. The funky feeling you have in the key may actually be the switch itself coming apart. I'd replace it first and see how things go afterwards. If you need to replace the tumbler lock, it's easy to do without removing anything else.

cmac2012 · #19 11-07-2018, 12:16 PM

Sounds good. It is hard to tell where the funky feeling is coming from.

vwnate1 · #20 11-07-2018, 10:05 PM

I bought the key tumbler from the Classic Center and it was way less than $180 and had the correct key....

Diseasel300 · #21 11-07-2018, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

I bought the key tumbler from the Classic Center and it was way less than $180 and had the correct key....

Good for you. When I called earlier this summer, VIN-matched tumblers are NLA for the W126. You can still get the key, but no longer the VIN-matched tumbler. Unless they've gone back into production since August, you're stuck with the generic "shop key" tumbler that they still have available.

vwnate1 · #22 11-07-2018, 11:07 PM

Oh, crap .

That's not good .

cmac2012 · #23 11-08-2018, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

Good for you. When I called earlier this summer, VIN-matched tumblers are NLA for the W126. You can still get the key, but no longer the VIN-matched tumbler. Unless they've gone back into production since August, you're stuck with the generic "shop key" tumbler that they still have available.

I'm seriously considering getting a new tumbler for the ignition - couple of factors. One, taking it out if it no longer works is way tough, and if the switch is going, could be the tumblers are not far behind. An even bigger factor is my locks in general are in trouble. I'm flirting with disaster. Driver's door tumblers went bad about 6 months ago. Will no longer let in the key. The trunk lock no longer works. Only the passenger door opens with the key.

I installed an aftermarket keyless setup, will lock and unlock the trunk also, one that's rated for pneumatic, works great but I could see being stranded with dead fob battery some day.

I'm thinking I can later get three tumblers for doors/trunk and have them re-keyed to match the ignition.

vwnate1 · #24 11-09-2018, 12:17 AM

The damn thing tried to lock me out, I was able to jiggle the key "Just So" (it helps to hold your tongue in *just* the right way in the corner of your mouth) and get it to the 'I' position and stick what I thought would be a too thin and flexy un bent paper clip in the hole, then I fairly easily unscrewed the big black cover with water pump pliers and the cylinder comes right out and the new one more or less goes right back in.....

The key now works smoother than it did when I bought this car a decade ago .

THANK YOU ALL for the help and hints, tips etc.

I got the oil leak buttoned up too, I'll detail that a little bit in the other thread .