I put this off and yesterday I couldn't get the key to turn in the ignition when I was leaving a restaurant. Finally got it to start and drove straight to my indie. He used a cleaner spray and we got some gunk out but then it stuck again.

We called the closest MB dealership (120+ miles away in Riverside) and they won't ship a new ignition switch assembly. I have to personally go in with my current registration and CDL to order it to fit my key. And, they won't ship it to my indie once it comes in--I have to personally pick it up. They are telling me it's the law.

Why would I be ordering an ignition to fit my key if I were a thief and had a KEY? I don't get it.

To be safe, I left the car parked at my indie's place and will bring him the new part.

If anyone else is having this problem, don't delay. I should have done this when I originally read this thread.

While I'm at it I am going to have them order me the trunk lock assembly. It is sticking now too.

Don't know if it is the law, but it is definitely policy. I had to do the same when it happened to my previous car. Dealer would not let repair shop order or receive the tumbler.

It's for your protection. An unscrupulous employee at the indie could easily order a new key, sell it to a friend, and the friend could drive off in the car.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

But I am not ordering a new key. I am ordering the new tumbler/ignition assembly and it will work with my key. I could understand if I was ordering a key.

Obviously if I already have a key I could steal a car with it--why would I need to order a tumbler? That's the part I don't understand.

If you could live with two different keys (one for the doors and one for the ignition), then you can buy a new tumbler from Ebay for real cheap. The tumbler will come with two keys.

This happened to my 91 300E and that was what I did. Make sure you do it when you can still turn the tumbler. When you cannot, it is a big job.

We got the key out and I left it at my indie. The MB parts guy said the new tumbler will work with my key and they order it with the VIN number.

I thought about the ebay route but didn't want different key for the doors and trunk and the trunk lock needs to be replaced too so I'm going to order that at the same time. I have to turn the key to the left and pull out on the trunk button, then back to center in order for the button to push and open the trunk. Have had it cleaned but still having problems so as long as I have to replace the ignition I'll have that replaced as well.

My indie can install both.

I'm not putting the key in the ignition again until they replace it.

Can they check the tumbler with my key when I pick it up? I don't think it's been re-keyed and the parts guy said if it had they would order the new key ID as it would be in their system by VIN. I just want to make sure before I get it back that it will work.

Liquid spray graphite (graphite suspended) really works well for short-term lock problems. I say short-term because the graphite won't last. The proper Mercedes type door lock lube is much more long-lasting. The liquid spray graphite just gets into and all over everything. The can comes with the typical little red snorkle to insert into the lock's key opening.

The liquid spray graphite is typically found in hardware stores in small spray cans where lock stuff is sold.

Several squirts, letting it sit has worked for me with several key/lock/tumbler nightmares.

The "key" (sorry couldn't resist) is to get the little pins in the lockset to move. The vibration suggestion is known to help. Gentle rocking of the wheel but most especially gradually, gently and persistently moving the key is your best bet.

The alternative is lowering the under dash and drilling the lockmount etc. You don't want to know.

BTW, the fresh key use is something I do. I have little lock problems because with each car I buy, I replace the key with a new one and use the old one as an emergency backup.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

This is a very common problem with older Benzes. I've replaced tumblers in my (former) 1984 300SD and 1991 420SEL.

I've also changed it in my (current) 1989 300TE and 1991 300CE.

The 300CE turned out to be a big surprise.

My mechanic (Enrique of Mr. MB Motors) ordered a new ignition tumbler. When he installed the new tumbler, it turned out that the new key wouldn't work on the door/trunk/glove compartment locks.

It appears that at some point during its lifetime, the 300CE was broken into (I found small pieces of borken glass while looking under the searts) and the PO replaced ALL the locks in the car. So the lock and the keys that it had when I bought it did not match the VIN.

So Enrique took out all the locks, we took them to a locksmith and he keyed them to match the correct VIN-linked key.

Cost of rekeying the locks: $100.00

Cost of R&R the locks: $100.00

Piece of mind knowing that all the locks now match and that I have a new ignition tumbler that should last me a few years: PRICELESS!

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

Hey guys Have anyone of you heard of adjusting the ignition switch interlock cable to free up that sticking key problem? I've been having the sticking ignition recently, and checked through a few different forums and about adjusting that ignition switch interlock cable, but I'm not sure where the adjustment is. Is it from inside the car or underneath at the side of the tranny I tried lifting the center console with the window switches but could not see anything that looks like an adjustment I did see the cable but not where it ended somewhere below the gear shifter assembly. However in the process of trouble shooting I did remove the panel below the steering wheel/column the one above the gas and brake pedals, to get to the ignition, and found where the ignition switch interlock ended on the ignition unit assembly it had the silver turning end to it, I twisted it off while the key was in at the first turn position (the one after inserting the key pass the stuck ignition position) and the key turned like silk but it just wont come out of the ignition, I was tempted to leave a key in the ignition and keep it concealed to eliminate the sticking problem, but the thought of someone getting into the car and having easy access to starting and driving off with it, slapped sense back into me. But the point is that it turned flawlessly like silk with the ignition switch interlock cable detached, which seems to tell me that the tumbler is working fine so it must be something with that cable that's causing the problem. Any ideas and does anyone know where the adjustment for that cable is and how to adjust it?

More news I finally dared to venture deeper into trying to adjust the ignition shift interlock, back into the center console removing it completely this time then removing the cold/heat air duct to get at the end of those two cables on the right of the gear lever covered with a plastic cover which you would just pry off with a flat blade screwdriver, but be carefull use the flat part of the scr driver to twist and seperate exactly at the studs where the plastic is attached to, two of them. One cable is for the ignition lock release and the other for the break pedal release, tried a few adjustments from the two small bolts that coincidently I could see without moving all the other stuff but it was worth it to actualy see what was happening when I made adjustments to the cables. The're were both hook latches on opposite sides of the gear shifter mechanism under where you just took the black plastic part off from. Well needless to say nothing with MB couls be moderatly easy and all the above procedure did not resolve the sticking ignition but I now know have more knowledge of how some of the parts move and work.so I'm back to square one. Oh I found the gear shift adjustment underneath the car just a little behind the tranny support, its a little hidden though, you would have to put the car in 3rd 2nd or L to get a good look at it or make any adjustments short of dropping the tranny and exhaust, yeah right! Anyway I didn't think I sohuld add to my problems by trying to make an adjustment there when my tranny worked fine, Don't wanna ever have tranny problems. So my next step is to replace the ignition tumbler I really tried everything I could before I got to this step, So does anyone know how to remove the tumbler from the 96 E320 I can get the ignition to turn over after a minute or two so I can get the key to the first or seconrd position if needed. HELP

Ignition lock issues are no joke. Right now, your car is warning you that you are on borrowed time. When the lock suddenly and abruptly fails (note I said "when" and not "if") it will be a very expensive, inconvenient repair.

If you can still turn the key, remove the tumbler and run to the dealer for a replacement. It takes only 24-48 hours to get it. If you need to start your car with a screwdriver while waiting for a replacement, so be it.

In the short interval between your first and second posts, things have gone from bad to worse. As someone who has experienced "ignition lockout" on my previous car, I urge you to replace the tumbler ASAP.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

The day I bought my Mercedes the ignition locked up... sigh... PO's said just wiggle it a little... even came out and wiggled it for me.. no avail...

Key turned fine for several test drives I took in it... Wrote the check... AS IS on the bill of sale..

Guessing I coulda been a prick and stopped payment, but it was too nice a ride... 600 bucks later.. new lock cylinder and ignition switch.. all is good with the world...

Now all I have to do is fix all the niggling little problems associated with a 22yr old car...

The moral of the story is, If you have to jiggle your key, get a new cylinder... It's gonna bite you in the tuchus sooner or later...

Do not - read - DO NOT - wait any longer.

Particularly on the W124 if that SOB locks up on you, then you will be

I reiterate the advice to get to a dealer ASAP and get that new tumbler. If yours freezes up you will be and about the level of effort and/or expense to free it up. Don't delay.