Ignition Tumbler replacement... QUICK RESPONSE NEEDED PLEASE! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #16 04-25-2002, 03:37 PM

It takes longer to describe the process that to do it. It takes longer and requires more dexterity to replace a tail light bulb.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
81 300SD

greenacres2 · #17 04-25-2002, 05:44 PM

I could do one in 15 minutes and I'm just an insurance agent. Picked up a set of probes for $5 at Radio Shack on close-out and the straight one is perfect to release the lock. I've also used a 1.5mm allen, but that would be easier if you gring the end to an angle first. Good luck.

190D22 · #18 04-25-2002, 05:51 PM

The service guy said it may take a few hours labor... I was like WTF. I hope to god it's not going to cost me a few hours labor! If it does... my god will I be pissed!

sixto · #19 04-25-2002, 06:00 PM

It could take a few hours to forcibly remove the tumbler if the key won't turn in it.

If it turns out that you're dealing with thieves at the shop, ask if your police department will let a car thief on probabtion do the job for you in lieu of community service.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
81 300SD

mikemover · #20 04-25-2002, 07:46 PM

mradowic,

The signs of a dying steering lock/tumbler are easy...It will start to be "loose and rattly", not tight and solid like a new one, and the key may be hard to turn or will tend to stick in one position from time to time. The longer you let this go, the worse it will get, and the more likely that it will get stuck completely. If that happens, it will have to be DRILLED out, which is a big, expensive pain in the a$$!

BEFORE that happens, it's easy and inexpensive to remove and replace it yourself.

Mike

BoostnBenz · #21 12-27-2002, 11:26 AM

My 84 has left me setting there twisting the key a few times already for 5-10mins, so I suppose I should fix it now before it gets bad. I wouldn't say mine feels loose at all, but it just acts like I stuck the wrong key in. Moving the steering wheel doesn't help at all either. When I bought the car I had a copy of the original which was valet. So I went to the mercedes dealership and got a new one cut for my VIN. So my question to whomever will bless me with an answer is, do you think I have a bad tumbler or is it simply the keying on the tumbler just doesn't match the new key anymore?

Maybe I should take my tumbler into a locksmith and get it rekeyed? No other locks on the car give me a problem, after all the ignition would be the only trully worn lock.

Thanks,
Jeff M.

mikemover · #22 12-27-2002, 12:53 PM

If you have already gotten a new key, then the tumbler is your problem for sure...I'd get a new one ASAP...You can order one from here (mercedesshop.com) using your VIN.

Mike

BoostnBenz · #23 12-27-2002, 01:07 PM

I didn't use the old key very much so I never really noticed a problem, what I am wondering is if the new key created the problem. Doesn't the tumbler wear to a key? So if I inserted a different key maybe it just isn't matching up correctly. Actually better yet, when you had to take your tumbler out did you see obvious wear on the body of the tumbler which hinted it was bad?

Jeff M.

mikemover · #24 12-27-2002, 01:14 PM

Yes, the tumbler AND the old key both wear over time, so if the new key, which is cut "correctly" by MB, doesn't work well, then the tumbler is worn out too, and should be replaced. If you just continue using the old key, it won't get better, it will only get worse, and you DON'T want to deal with a stuck tumbler. Big pain, big $$$. I put up with mine sticking for a long time, and got burned because one day it wouldn't turn from the off position and I had to drill it out!

If I had not put it off, it would have been MUCH easier to deal with.

Mike

marinmbfan · #25 12-28-2002, 12:29 PM

Changing the tumbler in my 300E was "easy", but took a long long while of wiggling the little wire tool around before I got the magic click and got it out. Probably more than an hour of fiddling, done in several sittings.

Also, although my "custom matched by VIN" tumbler came with a new key, my dealer parts guy said they don't always include it. It just happens that the way they make the tumbler is to make the key first and then match the tumbler to it. Sometimes they leave in the working key when they ship it, and sometimes not.

BoostnBenz · #26 12-28-2002, 12:54 PM

Yea, mine is being stuborn like that as well. I spent maybe 10-15mins fiddling with the wire to not achieve a thing. I turn the key to the first knotch where the idiot lights like voltage and brake pop on right? Then when the wire does it's magic the black cover should unscrew CCW, correct?

I see fastlane has the "ignition locking cylinder" for $35.34, but it says that "lock undefined." While this shouldn't be a big deal getting it keyed does the blank key come with it? How much more to have it keyed for me to my VIN?

~jm

marinmbfan · #27 12-28-2002, 01:08 PM

Sorry, Jeff... I don't remember how many clicks to turn, but I do remember that the custom cut tumbler was less than $80, and that by having the new tumbler in my hand I could actually see what the little wire tool was supposed to push on, which led me to file the proper angle into my homemade wire tool thingy. And I think the outer collar just slid off after the very obvious happy clicking sound without any unscrewing, but its been a while since I did it. If you search this forum for "wire" and "cylinder" and "key" as I did back when I did the job, you'll find many walkthroughs. Be careful, there are several types of cylinders, some just have one wire hole, and some have two. Good luck.

mark2590 · #28 10-07-2007, 06:26 PM

If your lock set up is the same as mine (and make sure it is) then you'll want to see this:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/200554-1987-300e-key-stuck-ignition-post1640662.html#post1640662