is it easy to replace the ignition? what I mean by this is that I have been having some trouble, once and a while, turning the key in the ingnition. when I put the key in, it jamms and I cannot turn it past the first spot. I sprayed some WD40 into it and it turned perfectly. but jammed again. I'm not sure if I am doing more damage by ignoring the problem at hand. maybe the key is worn? does that happen? who do I call for this? will a lock smith be able to change this out for me? do I bring it to a repair shop?? I just don't know?? please help.

You are living on borrowed time. Once you can't get the key to position "1", you are sunk, and it may have to be drilled out. You don't say which model car you have but this is common in older W124 cars. Search under tumbler and you will find a wealth of info. Basically you need to take your proof of ownership to Mercedes and get a new tumbler ~$100. Get a generic Mercedes tumbler and your new ignition key won't match the door or trunk.

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280
1990 LS400

thanks for getting back to me. I just joined this site and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy that I can share my problems with some people who understand!!
so basically I should bring my car to a mercedes dealership for this? the car is a 1990 300E. and should I look on this web site under tumblers? or is there a specific place I should look?

Here is a thread that is specific to W123 and W126 - I am sure somebody will chime in with some W124 fine tuning.
Ignition Cylinder Lock Removal

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Yes -- you need to go to an MB dealership to buy the new tumbler, at least. They will look up your car via your VIN number, and look at your proof of purchase as already said, then order you a new "lock cylinder" complete with a brand new key. It will be keyed the same as your car was originally. You'll receive the new "lock cylinder" in 24-48 hours.

You can then:

1. Replace it yourself, if you're handy
2. Have the dealership do it
or
3. Take the lock cylinder to a good independent MB tech (which is what I did) to replace the old one.

As far as I know, you can't buy a matching lock cylinder, keyed to your car in particular, anywhere but an MB dealer.

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Steve
'93 400E

bringing the car in this morning to order the new tumbler/lock set, thanks for all the input

Any one that has a old M/B that hasn't changed the lock cylinder is living on borrowed time
3 M/Bs --3 bad cylinders--2 dashes pulled apart--wireing mest up etc.

Next time I will have a cylinder in my pocket and change it before I move the car (maybe)

thank you forum! I changed my ignition tumbler yesterday and because of all the feedback I did it in like... 20 minutes! I made the tool from close hanger, worked perfectly! I had a bit of trouble in the beginning because what I thought was position 1 in fact was not. position 1 was the space between the first dot and the second dot on the escucheon cover (black) that comes out with the tumbler. I was shocked at how demolished the old tumbler was, broken in like 5 different spots! it is amazing that it would turn at all!!
thanks again
Ron