My tumbler failed last winter 93 300e 2.8.
 

jiggled it like crazy for about an hour with a new key and was able to turn it to ignition on not able to engage starter hot wired starter solanoid and drove to friend who had tool to pull tumbler out. You guys are right on the money with all of this info everything being 100% accurate if you must you may have to dremel tool grind it out like posted. good luck i got lucky

Congratulations. I just ordered a new tumbler a few minutes ago from my dealer--just in case. Glad you brought this problem to the limelight. I guess the ignition tumbler is like the engine wiring harness--it's going to bite you sooner or later.

new key does not work
 

hey guys, first thanks for all your suggestions.....I ordered a brand new key as some suggested it might just be a worn key....and the new key did not work..:eek:....I played with that steering wheel pretty hard and no turn......BUT here is the confusion.:confused:.....Mercedes Service is telling me that it might not be a tumbler/cylinder issues.....that it perhaps maybe a steering column issues.....can someone please educate me on the difference.....AND should I just have this car towed to the dealer and let them mess with it and fix it or should I go to an outside mechanic who takes the dealers "overflow" work??? I thought that I would also mention that two days before the key would not turn, I had the throttle cable replaced and the distributor caps replaced...all due to low performance.....and then went to have two new tires put in.....SO does this all have a part in this mess or am I just paranoid.........thanks.....

so matbe its the tumbler. does seem like its time to get
it into the shop.

george

Apologies for the thread hijack, but as my car needs a new ignition tumbler also (as well as one for my drivers door) I figured I'd call 5 of my local (well, local-ish) Seattle area dealerships to see what advice they gave and the prices for the following items:

* New drivers door tumbler
* new ignition tumbler
* two new keys - the current ones are probably worn anyways

For the record, my car is a 1993 W124 300E 2.8 with a factory alarm and immobilizer fitted.

Results are as follows (prices are pre-tax):

Barrier Motors in Bellevue told me that the door tumbler would come with a key, but most likely the ignition tumbler wouldn't. They suggested ordering just one key as I'd probably end up with two in the end anyways.

* door tumbler: $228
* ignition tumbler: $105.60
* keys: $26 each


Mercedes-Benz of Lynnwood said that both tumblers would come with keys, and I wouldn't have to order them seperately

* door tumbler: $243.36
* ignition tumbler: $100.80
* keys: around $30 each


Wilson Motors of Bellingham initially said that any locks they obtain may not match the vehicle, and I'd probably end up with two sets of keys - one for the new tumblers, and one for the old ones in the passenger door and trunk. I had to ask the guy I spoke with to confirm that any tumblers I ordered would come direct from the factory and would match the existing keys. He had to go ask someone else in the parts dept. before confirming this.

* door tumbler: $238
* ignition tumbler: $92.68
* keys: around $30 each


Phil Smart of Seattle were the most helpful and honest. They said upfront that both tumblers may or may not come with keys as the factory (they confirmed that both keys and tumblers are manufactured in Germany) will sometimes cut a key matching my vehicle's VIN to test the new tumbler and if so will include it, but I shouldn't rely on a key being included. Their suggestion was to order two keys, as it's better to have too many keys than none at all. They also gave me a shipping estimate of 3 days from Germany for all components once I had placed the order.

* door tumbler: $243.36
* ignition tumbler: $100.80
* keys: $35 each


Larson's of Tacoma said a similar story to Phil Smart - sometimes the tumblers come with keys, but it's not supposed to happen unless the keys are ordered and they cannot guarantee the arrival of a key without one explicitly being purchased.

* door tumbler: $247
* ignition tumbler: $100
* keys: $70 each (yes, each, I asked twice to confirm)


All dealerships said that the tumblers and keys are coded to my VIN, and I'd have to bring the car in along with proof of ownership before any keys or tumblers could be ordered.

I just paid for an ignition tumbler I ordered three days ago from my local dealer: $86.48 with tax. I think it comes from the East coast (probably NJ). It came with a key. It took me a few minutes to install in my driveway. As stated above, practicing pushing the removal tool into the hole with the new tumbler aids in removal of the existing one.

Answer:
 

ShopForum > Do It Yourself Links & Resources > DIY Links by Parts Category
Steering:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diy-links-parts-category/142398-steering.html

We have the lock parts in stock.

Note: W/ Lock Undefined
M5040-38272 Ignition Lock Cylinder IN STOCK


Note:
Does not include lock cylinder (tumbler) or ignition switch. Note: the three holes in the housing are not threaded and require (3) 124 990 01 32 self tapping screws.
M5025-35448 Ignition Lock Housing IN STOCK


(3) 124 990 01 32 self tapping screws.
Y2003-271470 Screw IN STOCK