190E URGENT!!Please help with Ignition lock!!!!

Hello,

On my 1987 190E 2.6, I cannot turn the key to start the car, the key is stuck in the 0 position and will not move, I've moved the steering wheel while turning the key but no luck

I started noticing that it was more difficult than usual to turn the key once I put it in the ignition a couple of weeks ago, I would have to spend minutes juggling the wheel to be able to turn the key. Once the key moved past the first position the car would start with no problem.

Today I went to the grocery store and when I came back the key would not turn, I spent an hour and a half trying all sorts of combinations to make the key turn but it wouldn't.

Does anyone have any experience with this problem, can someone please give me some tips on how to make the key turn just so I can drive the car home or to Mercedesshop---towing my car there will be costly since it's far from me.

Thanks in advance, the car is sitting in a grocery store parking lot and I want to be able to move it before it gets dark. I will search thru the archives

[Potomac Pat]

I believe that this was touched on before.

Someone mentioned using a tool of some sort that worked at a high RPM and caused high vibration. Using that pressit against the lock cylinder and try to work the key over ! !

[Barrie Sambrook]

I can't say if this is the case on your MB but look and see if there is a small hole in the front of the lock. If there is poke a paperclip in the hole,press hard and jiggle it as you try turning the key at the same time.
Hope this helps

Barrie

[yal]

Check out these threads and good luck.

190E ignition switch

ignition switch warning

Thanks for the links, I will read thru them, something else that I wanted to add is that the steering wheel has locked, there is still some play but just a little.

Hello Barrie,

I don't think there is a small hole in the lock but when I drive back up to the car, I will look at this.

Thanks for the tips, please keep them coming, I don't know what I would do without this site, probably get ripped off by some locksmith, that's what.

[csnow]

Been there. Not on a MB, but on 2 other cars.

Odds are that a pin is sticking in the tumbler mechanism.
Spray some silicone lube in the keyhole.
Put in the key, and whack it with something blunt. (not too hard, just to shock it).
Perhaps some wiggling too.
If you are lucky, the pin will come unstuck.

[NormanB]

Hi Vanakin

Sorry I came to this a bit later than I normally do - hopefully not too late.

You are really in the dwang my friend and you have a 1% chance of getting out of it - luck plays the major part.

Potomac Pat was correct you need to induce some sort of vibration ( I believe a previous poster used an electric sander but I suppose a vibrator would do the same trick - hope you have tinted windows!) into the lock via the key while you jiggle the little bugger and try and get it to turn - spraying some lube in cannot do any harm and may tip the luck in your direction. If you need motivation to keep perservering you are talking about a big job to drill this assembly out if you fail to get that key turning.

If you do manage to turn the key DO NOT TURN back past position 1. As long as the key is in position 1 you will be able to extract the tumbler easily (Once you are home leave key in position 1 - and lock car with spare key - take the rotor arm out of the dizzy if you are in a dodgy area for car theft).

[MTI]

Don't you just love that "Brit-Speak"

[NormanB]

Hi MTI

Whatever do you mean - old bean!

[haasman]

The 'ol 190E had this happen.

I read somewhere, I believe on this forum, to go buy graphite lock spray. It is about $6 for a tiny can.

The advice was:
1) ignore the price shock of the spray
2) Use the snorkel and spray all around the stuck key and let sit. 3) Wiggle it like crazy ... yes like that crazy!
4) If necessary use an electric toothbrush or something (don't tell the Mrs).
5) Keep twisting GENTLY back and forth.

If the tumbler is going to let go ... this is the way. Oh, sometimes it helps to spray upwards into the key slot area, if you can.

I have since

1) used this incredibly expensive graphite spray on all the locks on all the cars and it does work great.
2) Replaced any worn looking keys.

I have found a fresh MBZ key works well in even worn tumblers. (OK ... with the incredibly expensive graphite spray!)

Keep us informed ...

Haasman

[yal]

Hope you solve this issue. You've gotten some good advice.

A general info for all recirculating ball owners out there (and that pretty much means most Benz's before 1998 or so) this steering mechanism can put a heck of a lot of pressure on the steering locking mechanism. Especially on the W124 and W201. Always try and turn the wheel as close to its locking position prior to turning of the engine. If you don't you'll have to turn the steering around and lock it putting pressure on the lock when you release it.

[MTI]

Thanks for good advice, yal . . . or is it advise, Norman?

[NormanB]

Hi MTI

I am no expert on Benz and I certainly am certainly not an expert on the English language. We certainly do not want the thread drifting too far from nuts 'n bolts do we?

By the way- definition of an expert:

ex = a has been
'spert' = drip under pressure



Toodle pip!!

Well, I tried everything and the key still won't turn, I'll probably have to tow it home and try to
fix it myself if I can using some advice I got in the archives. Although it's scary since the most of the posts in the archive say it's very difficult to pull the cylinder out even for experts.

Keep those tips coming

Thanks for all the advice

[NormanB]

Hey Vanakin

How are you doing?

Did you manage to sorty out that pesky tumbler?

Really hope you have some good news for us.