Ignition Lock - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Educaid · #1 02-05-2006, 11:35 AM

I am having a very difficult time with the ignition lock on my 1989 260E. Sometimes the key will not go into the lock or the key will not turn in the lock. I'm not letting my daughter drive it because I'm afraid she will not be able to get home.

Does this sound like a problem with just the lock cylinder or the entire mechanism? Do I need a special tool to remove the cylinder and if so where to I get one. (I have the Alldata subscription). Lastly, can I get a cylinder with the same key as the door and do I have to take the car to the dealer for that. Thanks.

MikeTangas · #2 02-05-2006, 12:49 PM

The dealer can order you a keyed assembly for your car - no need for extra keys. You'll need proof of ownership and prepay for the assembly.

I would not drive the car until you replace the tumbler. It sounds like it is almost to the point of failing completely and once that happens it will be an expensive shop job (requiring big-time drilling). By ordering a new tumbler and not using the car until the tumbler is changed you should be able to do yourself without special tools. Try doing a search on ignition tumbler replacement, there have been several "how-to" posts over the years.

TX76513 · #3 02-05-2006, 01:50 PM

What Mike said. You do not want the ignition to fail in the steering lock position.

SatRoc · #4 02-05-2006, 03:49 PM

Amen, Amen! Cost me $195.00 to have a locksmith come out and drill the old lock out and replace it.

Educaid · #5 02-05-2006, 05:57 PM

Thanks for your replies. After I wrote the initial post I searched the forum and there were several very helpful postings. Here's what I did:

1. Get a coat hanger with thin wire. In my experience there are "thick wire" coat hangers and "thin wire" coat hangers. I put the coat hanger against a common ruler with mm markings on it and the thickness was almost exactly 2 mm.

2. With a pair of good wire cutters. cut about a 8 inch piece of wire at a 45 degree angle so that when the wire is bent in the middle, the longest part of the wire is on the outside. I used a piece of emory paper and sanded down the rough edges.

3. Carefully bend the wire in the middle with your thumbs. This will permit the wire ends to be almost 20 mm apart. The shortest part of the wire will be on the inside of the wire. Spray the wire with some light lubricant.

4. Remove the panel around the lock in the car with a flat head screw driver. There are two small plastic triangular pieces that lock the panel to the dashboard. The small ends which lock the panel to the dashboard broke off. There is another large one and it did not break.

5. Place the key in the lock. You may have to jiggle it around to get it to turn to position 1. Place the tool you made into the two small holes near the key and press it in until it stops. The coat hanger has a coating on it so you may want to use the emory paper to remove it. I didn't. It felt like to me the tool went in about 3-4 inches. The pull on the tool or key and the ignition lock and black housing will pull right out.

6. To get the key out of the lock you may have to grab the end with a pair of pliers and with your right hand, turn and jiggle the key until it comes out.

7. Make sure you disconnect the negative ground from the battery in the car.

8. I haven't got the new lock but I will go to the dealer and see if they can order me the correct lock so its the same as the door and trunk. Hopefully, the new lock will just pop back in.