Ignition Tumbler replacement... QUICK RESPONSE NEEDED PLEASE!
 

My ignition is completely locked. I've tried moving the wheel and turning the key, I've tried other keys, I've tried WD40, I've tried jigging it unlil my hand is dead tired, I've called mercedes tech and roadside assistance both told me I'd have to get her towed to get the thing replaced, which will run me 60 bucks for getting it onto the flat bed then 2-4 bucks a mile, THEN 300 bucks if it's simply the tumbler. My question is, can I put a new tumbler in myself, what's a tumbler cost, where do I get it? Thanks a lot!

It is a diy'er job and pretty straight forward BUT you have got to get it to turn to be able to get it out. I would keep trying to work the steering wheel and key at the same time. Once you get it to the correct position then get a straightened paper clip that will fit into the little hole close to where the key goes. You have to "release" the catch using the paper clip and then unscrew the black ring around the tumbler. As you unscrew it you can ease the tumbler out.

Problem is the key won't budge... It's just plain stuck. What do you suggest I do to free it up without breaking a key???

If time is not critical, order a new tumbler to match your VIN (~$100). It will come with a new key you can try. If it works, DON'T 'UNTWIST' THE KEY UNTIL YOU CHANGE THE TUMBLER. The worst case is still having the dealer take care of it. You just bought the parts in advance.

You can call a locksmith, but I'm sure he'll quote from the Mercedes owner column of the price list since your car has 'special' locks and keys.

Unless your tumbler stuck for the first time today, you waited too long to replace the tumbler.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
81 300SD

Well I got it to work with my valet key (least used so therefore the sharpest teeth) with jiggling and pushing and pulling on the key. My local non-mercedes shop said they can get her done tomorrow, just drop it off tonight. That is definately what I'm going to do, I can walk there in 5 minutes pretty much, but I have two cars. Thanks a lot for the help guys, I really appreciate it!

-|Nate|-

You ain't going to try to do it yourself?
Pretty easy job as long as you can get it to turn.

I'm really too busy to do it. I'm fine with it.

If your valet key turned it, but the master key didn't, I'd say you also need a new master key. I wouldn't use the same worn-out key on your new tumbler.

Mike

You should get a new key with the new tumbler, and maybe you should get an extra one while you're at it, and then see how far you can throw that old key:D

Big plus to getting a new tumbler at the dealer is, show up with your registration and ID, order the tumbler and it should be in in 3-5 working days. When it arrives, you should also have a brand new key - the same key you have now. Any other method and you will forever and on, have to carry two keys - one for the doors/trunk, the other to start the car.

Yup...that's my situation right now, because I bought a used lock/tumbler when my old one gave out.

Mike

You should still be able to get a replacement tumbler and key from the dealer Mike. It's all coded off the VIN. Pretty neat, when I ordered keys for the 560, I gambled that the tumbler had never been changed and only ordered keys. Three days later they were in from Germany, freshly cut and worked in all the locks.

Yeah, I know I can do that, but it's been a pretty low priority...many other items to spend money on lately.

I actually kind of like it, because the tumbler is from a newer SD..an 82 or 84 or something, so the key is the newer, "squarish" version, instead of the more "normal" looking flat key like my old one. Looks more durable and solid. If/when the current one wears out, I may go back to the "correct" key.

Mike

Is this the same as the 70k ignition switch problem?
 

When I posted on a different topic awhile ago, I received this friendly advice:

"Pay attention to the ignition switch. It'll probably start to act up before it fails. Change it before it dies, about $70, cause it will lock itself in and cost a fortune to get out."

Is this thread the result of what happens when the ignition switch dies? My car seems to start OK and has no problems that I can tell. Is this important to do? Another article read that it is around 70k that these fail, and I'm right around that now.

I would appreciate any advice that anyone could offer.

How long will it take to get replaced?
 

Well, I guess I'm glad there's a plus going with the dealer to replace it. I will throw the old worn one away and use the nice, new one when I get it. How long will it take them to do it? I am dropping it off in the night drop on thursday, I'd expect it to be done the next day... If it will be over the weekend (they're like bankers, start late, close early, don't work weekends) I do have my jeep to drive, not a problem there. Thanks a lot for the responses.

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

Sixto's right...
 

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Mike

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.

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

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.

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