Ignition lock woes - Expert advice needed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tinypanzer · #1 08-31-2009, 09:29 PM

So, there's always a catch when you buy a 560SEL for $500. It looks like one of the little inevitable hitches I have encountered is the joyous ignition lock quandary.

Here's the deal - the 560SEL has an ignition lock that does not match the doors or trunk. It looks like it was rather poorly replaced at some point, and the ignition cylinder looks much different than the one in my 300SE. It has the standard positions 1,2,3 and is clearly a Mercedes lock, but it seems as if it is from a different chassis. Is that even possible? I can take a picture of it, but to describe it..... Okay, it's face is solid steel unlike my 300SE which has a little stainless steel concave cover. Also, there is no black metal screw-on ring around it, there is simply a black steel portion of the lock that surrounds the tumbler. The lock seems to sit back further in the dash than it should, and it is cocked at a funny angle. It sure appears to be a junkyard cylinder from a 124 perhaps???

Here's what doesn't work - The car's shifter safety and wheel lock don't work. I can shift to any gear at any time, regardless if the key's even in the cylinder. The wheel never locks either..... Also, central locking is either broken, or somebody wisely disabled it since there is no key to the doors!!

So, I guess I am going to have to order another lock cylinder, and I imagine that I will have to go to the dealer to get one that matches the doors and trunk..... Is that correct?

How screwed am I, anyway?

Mercedes Guy · #2 08-31-2009, 11:37 PM

Yes, you can get a new ignition lock from the dealer by simply providing them with your VIN. You will then be able to use the same key for the trunk, doors, and ignition. However, I'm guessing that simply installing the correct ignition tumbler won't solve your other problems.

Hopefully the new ignition will simply drop in as it should, because it's very strange that someone would put in an incorrect ignition; especially if it seems to be seated at a strange angle.

Seeing as how the original ignition appears to have been cut out, the steering lock doesn't work, the transmission shifter doesn't lock in park, and you got the car for $500...are you sure it's not stolen?

Mercedes Guy · #3 08-31-2009, 11:41 PM

It could also very well be that at some point the key got stuck in the ignition, which certainly isn't unheard of. When that happens, the only way to remove the ignition is to cut it apart with a cutting tool.

compress ignite · #4 09-01-2009, 01:03 AM

You may be looking at the actual Locking Mechanism,that's bolted to the steering column (As in the "Hack" screwed it up and you need to R+R it.)
as well as a new Ignition "Tumbler" setup.

tinypanzer · #5 09-01-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercedes Guy

Seeing as how the original ignition appears to have been cut out, the steering lock doesn't work, the transmission shifter doesn't lock in park, and you got the car for $500...are you sure it's not stolen?

Well, I just registered it yesterday and transferred the title, so good to go on that front.

Yeah, somebody hacked it at some point. I just get really nervous working on those things since I've heard horror stories of some little pin going click or the key being turned to the wrong position and then the thing is ruined. I hate jobs where you don't have a "do-over", if you know what I mean.

I'll take pictures tonight and post them tomorrow.

Thanks!