190E 2.3 16V Ignition tumbler problem

[mnoll4060]

Hey guys,
I have a 16V, and the key will not turn anymore. I already have the new tumbler, but I can't get the key to turn to be able to remove the old tumbler (already did this in my 300E). What is the best way to get the key to turn? Are there any special tricks? I was thinkinking of grinding a screwdriver down to fit in the tumbler and breaking the tumbler so I could get the holes to line up so I could remove it? Would this work, or only screw things up more? Thanks in advance,

Mike

[daveCT]

i have seen a few w201 and w124 keys get stuck , they always turned if you jiggle the steering wheel a bit to set the wheel lock with the tumbler or something? good luck

[JimSmith]

Check the condition of the key very carefully. My son's car had a key so worn out it did the same thing. Get a new key and try it, or try it with the valet key, which usually sees little wear. Jim

[tvpierce]

DO NOT BREAK IT WITH A SCREWDRIVER. These are really well designed as a theft deterrent, which can be a mixed blessing.
I was able to get mine to go by squirting it with WD-40. Another forum member came up with a great idea: he used the blade of a jigsaw to apply vibrating action to the cylinder. (Apparently that’s an old locksmith’s trick).

Good luck.

Jeff Pierce

[mnoll4060]

hey guys,
I have a brand new key with the new tumbler and it wouldn't work. Jeff, please elaborate on vibrating with the jigsaw blade.

Mike

[tvpierce]

If I understand correctly, you have a new tumbler & key... but you still need to remove the old one, right?
If so: Squirt a good blast of WD-40 in the key hole. Try wiggling and jiggling the key to get it to the #1 position.

If that doesn't work, take a jigsaw with a good long blade on it. Touch the blade of the saw to the tumbler (with the key still inserted) and turn the saw on. This will cause the tumbler to vibrate which MIGHT allow the key to turn.

Once you get the key to the #1 position, follow these directions:
(BTW, all this info is available if you do a search)

****************************************************

If you can get the tumbler to position “1” the procedure to remove is simple, with a Key intact. If you are stuck in “1” DON”T MOVE IT!!! May be tough with a broken key in there (little or nothing to pull on) but can be done. I recently had my tumbler break. Those suckers are tough to drill out in order to keep the crooks out! Drilling is an ordeal. After about half an hour of finessing, I got mine to "1" and removed it quite easily with directions from the service Manual using "Self Made Tool" as follows (and I quote, with annotations.) It came out in 4 pieces. I got a new tumbler, including a key, to match my VIN and the other locks in the car for about $75 from Caliber Motors in CA. Order your new stuff now, whether you are drilling or removing, you'll need it. It takes about three days.

1) Remove cover (black plastic one around key area, lift carefully from Steering column side)
2) Turn Key to “1”
3) Introduce releasing wire [Note:] through bores (two little holes in the silver part of the assembly) in the locking cylinder. Then push down on releasing wire and unlock the locking detents by overcoming the resilient resistance. (Push on that wire, hard, you may or may not feel a ‘pop’ and then pull in the cylinder at the same time!)
4) Remove Locking Cylinder including covering cap from steering lock by means of ignition key (or a hook you might have to make to get a purchase on the thing. Since you don’t have a full key in there, you may be able to get the cap off first, and then get a tool, like a needle nose vice grip, on the tumbler.)
5) Remove releasing wire from locking cylinder. Turn ignition key to “0” and pull off.
6) Remove cylinder from Covering (black) cap. (Keep this cap, order a new one if it is damaged)
Note: the releasing wire of 2 mm steel wire is self made according to the specified dimensions. Straight length of wire = 300 mm. (Make two bends 20 mm apart to form a ‘U’. Grind the tips to a 70 degree angle, inside angle (the tips of the angle grinds are on the outside of the ‘U’)(Stiff, but not too fat coat hanger wire might just work. If not, get some good stiff wire.)(Start car carefully with a screwdriver while the thing is off. DO NOT break anyting in there as you will have more to fix)

Installation (Here I am not direct quoting)
1) Insert Cylinder, make sure the elevated ridge lines up with the housing (about 10 o’clock)(it’s a good idea to lube all the parts on the car and cylinder while you have it open.)
2)Place black covering cap on and line up the little notch to the left (about 9:30)
3) Turn locking cylinder to “1”, then force cap and cylinder into steering lock while making sure that both parts are engaging. (Might have to wiggle the whole thing a bit while you push)(The key should point to the “1” notch on the black cap to indicate you are in alignment)
4) Make sure it all works
5) Install plastic cover

*************************************************

There's more info and an image in this thread:
Stuck Key

Good luck.

Jeff Pierce

[fish4stripers]

Hi,

I used a jigsaw, no blade needed. The housing of a jigsaw vibrates alot. Just push/press the housing against the key while turning at the same time. I used an adjustable wrench around the width of the key to turn. Vibrated for about 30 secs and tumblers fell into place.

good luck!

[tvpierce]

Thanks Fish. Best to get the information straight from the source.

Jeff Pierce

[mnoll4060]

Hey Guy's,
I'll try the jigsaw trick. I was fimiliar with the removal once you got it to the one position, already had to do that in my 300E.Thank's a lot and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Mike