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

SEARCH FEATURE
 

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 ! !:D

http://forums.off-topic.net/images/smilies/dunno.gif

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

Check out these threads and good luck.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/52559-190e-ignition-switch.html?highlight=ignition+lock

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/53165-ignition-switch-warning.html?highlight=ignition+lock

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.

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.

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).

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

Hi MTI

Whatever do you mean - old bean!:)

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

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.

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

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

Hey Vanakin

How are you doing?

Did you manage to sorty out that pesky tumbler?

Really hope you have some good news for us.

Hello Norman,

I gave up on trying to start the car and had it towed to my house. Over the next couple of days I plan to try to remove the tumbler, I've read that it's a very difficult job. I also received additional motivation from my brother in law who had a similar experience on his 190e, said he had to pay $700 which is a figure I hope I won't have to pay.

Thanks for asking, I'm gonna start searching thru the archives for as much info as I can get on removing the tumbler, right now I'm gonna try the paper clip trick (sticking them in the two little holes) but I'm a little confused as it seems the old posts say if you can't get the key out of the 0 position, you won't be able to do this. Is this true?

Thanks for asking.

vanakin

I just read about another tip .... you want to see if you can insert something thin and narrow along side or the top or bottom of the key. Ideally metal and hard, something that won't snap or break, like a long needle. The idea being to *gently* nudge the lock element that is stuck.

Hi Vanakin

First of all I have not worked on 190 so not familiar but I would be surprised if MB developed a tumbler just for the 190, nevertheless, health warning applies.

You will have seen the procedure for removing the tumbler as posted on the forum using the probes/wire into the two small holes in the switch surround - BUT this only applies if you can get the key round to position 1 - so you must persevere.

Come on Vanakin - you can do it and we are all rootin' for you!

Good Luck

I'm gonna spend my weekend doing this, I haven't touched it yet. What happens if I can't get it to Position 1.

Thanks for the support

Hi Vanakin

If you cannot get the tumbler to position 1 then you are in the.... 'your 99/2000 models'

Keep on trying!

Here's the scoop:

You have allowed the tumbler to get so worn it won't turn. There are several avenues to take here, some easy some, well, you know.....

First, if you don't have to drive the car on Monday, is to get to a dealer or good independent shop and order a new key. I'm assuming you have the laser cut key like my 87 300D, not one of the fancy new electronic ones. Get a new tumbler as well -- the key is a bout $20, the tumbler about $60).

Also, if you have a spare key, try it. If you have a brass aftermarket, it's shot, get rid of it as soon as you have the ignition problem solved.

If you do manage to get the key turned, leave it in position 1. Get a wire hook (you can bend a small hood on the end of a heavy unfolded paper clip), pry out the plastic surrounding the lock, then use the wire hook to lift the steel rosette (it has the numbers on it) as far as you can. If you have another key, break the plastic off and pull the rosette completely off if possible (this avoids turning the key back to 0).

If another key works (the new one will work much better than the one you have!), turn the key back to 0, remove the key and rosette, then stick a heavy wire (2mm -- a precision screwdriver works well here). Turn the key back to 1 and pull key and tumbler out of lock.

Put new key in new tumbler, set to position 1, and insert into lock. Turn Key to position 0, remove, put rosette back in place, (it won't go all the way down), turn key to position 1, push rosette down, then turn key to 0. Should work fine.

If you cannot get the key to turn, you will have to grind the rosette out with a dremel tool (and replace it) to get to the latch. Big pain, my mechanic charges 4 hours labor.

Chances are a new or unused key will allow you a couple of rotations, enough to get the tumbler out.

For anyone else reading this, if the tumbler starts hanging, GET A NEW ONE AND A NEW KEY AT ONCE! It's not long after it gets baulky that the tumbler fails completely!

Peter

Yes, I learned that lesson the hard way...Try EVERYTHING you can to get that thing to turn, because removing one with the tumbler in the "O" position is NOT fun.

Mike

Bad News!!!!!!!!
 

I couldn't get the key to move out of position 1, ...I feel like I let the mercedesshop forum down..:(

I'll keep trying but eventually I'll have to get a
professional.

vanakin

Is your key an older one that is worn?

Maybe a lock pro might help.... I was thinking they have all kinds of little picks and tools. I would suggest doing a phone interview first and see whether they have any experience in doing MBZ locks.

also here is an interesting thread: locks

... and as far as letting us down, you are trying! That's what counts. What you are trying to do is hard, it doesn't always work.
We can all imagine being in the same spot.

Hey, we're rooting for you! Go vanakin Go!

Haasman

Hi Vanakin

Sorry to hear the bad news, I really feel for you.

If you were a tadge nearer, I would pop round and have a go myself!

Any forum members near to Vanakin feeling charitable?

NormanB

Hi vanakin. I was the dud who had a vibrator in my car :D :D :D

No, I'm not that kind of man. lol. Here's a link to my thread on it.Click this.

I hope this helps you and be stubborn. It pays off if you manage to remove it. Take good time, if you loose you temper, take a break and continue after a while...

I know all of you recommends to use lube on the lock but I was told otherwise by another member on the forum and he usually knows what he talks about. But it's your decition...

Good luck!

Well I tried the eh....cough....vibrator...and no luck, thanks for the support, I'll keep trying until I have to take it to a pro, luckily I only drive the car sparingly.

Thanks for the links, I was reading them and started wondering, I don't have the valet key for this car, if I ordered a new one, is it possible that it would let me turn the car to the 1 position so I could remove the tumbler and does anyone know how much it costs to order a valet key.

Thanks

Defnitely! Worn keys are half the problem. ANYTIME I get a new (used) Benz, I always order a new master, immediately. Someone told me to do this years ago. They said it will help eliminate lock problems. The other tip was to keep the tumblers properly lubed.

Order a new master. The valet is the same key except it won't open the trunk or the glove box.

Hi Vanakin

It was good to hear from you and I am sorry the news ain't too good.

But at least you are trying.

I have my doubts if a a valet/or a new key will do the trick but hey it may just be worth a shot.

Best of luck

NormanB

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

Did you manage to solve the problem and how?