Tumbler question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ned2683 · #1 02-25-2003, 02:04 PM

so my key would not turn in the ignition. i tired until a spare broke (not inside the ignition tho). i think bad tumbler. now i am not freaking out yet (i was this morning tho). i did soem reading on this site. and i don't think i can afford the cost for the new parts so my questions are:

1. would a tumbler from a 78 300sd, fit a 84 300sd? seeing that i have no money and i don't mind having 2 sets of keys.

today i will try to:
1.turn steering wheel while turning key
2.spray in lube while wiggling/turning key
3.apply vibration on the key

might be a coincident but today the temp went down to 2*F. the coldest so far i think. could it be that soemthing is simply "froze" inside? i sprayed in some deicer and hopefully if it is frozen it will loosen when the weather gets better. anything i am missing?

lrg · #2 02-25-2003, 04:41 PM

The keys themselves can wear out on these cars. If you have another key try it and see if it works. If you get your existing key to work (proving the tumblers are OK) you may want to just order a new key from the dealer. You'll need your VIN#, registration to prove you own the car, and about $30.

ned2683 · #3 02-25-2003, 08:47 PM

thxs for the reply. it is too cold out now to be trying anything. i can only go out for half anf hour and then i start freezing

.

if the key works couldn't the tumbler still be bad tho? is it one of theose good or bad items. or do they wear out? anyways if i can i would like to replace it. so would a w116 tumbler fit?

lrg · #4 02-25-2003, 09:32 PM

Sorry, I don't know if the W116 tumbler will fit. As to the tumbler vs key being bad you'll have to experiment a bit and take your best shot. If you have the extra key or valet key and it works normally then I'd guess it's 90+% probability that it's a worn key. If you don't have a spare key then it's much harder to tell.

ned2683 · #5 02-26-2003, 11:40 AM

i got it to work yesterday. i inserted the key pointing down. and wiggled it with turning the steering wheel a bit.

Irg: i will make a spare and see if a fresh key works. i have tried it before and the thing didn't work either (and it worked on my door). i tried it until it broke

so i am thinking that i should get it out now while i can. if i do get it out can i start the car with a screw driver until i get the part?

and hopefully the part out of the w116 will fit.

ned2683 · #6 02-28-2003, 06:45 PM

so it finally won't turn. well i think i will try to get it to turn one last time tomorrow

anyways i was wondering if where are the holes that u need to put in the 2 prongs to release the tumbler? do i need to take out the black cover to reveal it? how do i take off this black cover? i remember reading something about a small paper clip. i am assuming u have to insert this into the lil hole above where the key goes into. please help me out on this one.

and this might be a dumb question but where is position "0" "1 " "2"? i see 3 markings on the black cover is the first one 0, then 1 then 2?

i did a bunch of searches, but i still can't figure it out.

#7 02-28-2003, 07:00 PM

Save your money. Having a worn key duplicated isn't going to cut it. The metal wares down.
Best way take Vin. number to dealer with your proof of registration. And buy new key. Then have that copied. And use the copies. Find junk yard buy Lock with key{tuff}. Or buy new lock.
Good luck.
Charlie

ned2683 · #8 02-28-2003, 11:45 PM

the spare key that came with the car when i bought it didn't work either. i am to the point where i am pretty sure i need a new tumbler. but a new key might help getting the thing to move tho. how much are these replacement keys btw? thxs

ned2683 · #9 03-01-2003, 04:42 PM

okay i got the tumbler out of the w116. it was easy i inserted a piece of allen wrench into the hole and screwed the black collar out.

now is still can't get my key to turn to position "1" in the W126. but the good news is the outer metal portion is detatched. i can turn the outer ring with a screw driver. so i turned it to position "1" and inserted the allen wrench. i meansured the depth i had to insert in the other tumbler and it looks like i got it in. but i still can't remove it. now my question is do i need to pull it out of screw it out? i have tried both. or do i actually have to have the key in? i tried pulling it out by putting a vice grip to the black collar.

i inspected the other one and it seems to be that when u get the pin in you shouldn't need to have the key in to remove it. i need ideas on what i should try doing. is there a special tool the dealer would have since i already got the release pin in.

my car is a 1984 300sd. thxs for any advices