Removing door lock when key won't turn?
 

The MB shop manual covers it, and there are plenty of posts here about how to remove the lock assembly, but how do you remove it when the lock won't turn.

I have an '89 300E with a driver's door lock that won't turn. I've tried lubricating it and have new keys, so the problem is probably in the tumblers. Proper removal requires the key to be turned 60 degrees in order to "unlock" the keyed connector to the latch assembly and pull the lock assembly. It is easy to do and I have practiced on the passenger door.

I finally removed the inner door panel to see what could be done, but could not find a way.

As far as I can tell from searching the archives, nobody here has posted a solution, although lock removal using a key that turns has been discussed many times. Any help appreciated.

Do you have any guns:rolleyes:

clamp a large pair of vicegrips on the key and try turning very carefully.it goes with out saying do not break the key off!

Help! I've got this same problem - key absoluetely will not turn--

Cannot remove lock without turning key.

I've gothe door panel off....there's got to be some way around this?

Thanks

Aerosol graphite, slight wriggling with patience. I presume the pins are gummed and need to be worked free. In & out as well as slight turns left/right. You should find this will free the pins.

You hold a jig saw or orbital sander handle on the head of the key and the vibrations will aid in lining up the tumblers for the key to turn......

I love that one. :D The locksmith never mentioned that to me yet it would beat the heck out of what I stated with slight wriggling. I don't want to say that I want one of my keys to stick so I can try it however I can't wait until someone else's does.

This is one of the best reasons for these forums. Ideas.

Arthur,
Hope to bring the 300D Turbo over your way before snow flies. I need to purchase and use valve wrench set before feeling comfortable. You must know where a good burger/fry place is. Or a good sub shop.

<<You must know where a good burger/fry place >>

Well, I would Hope So..
I run the Lounge at the Pasta Loft/ Brick House Blues Room in town...

We have a Wood Fired Pizza Oven that is fab......

actually figured it out.

Thanks for all the suggestions above!

1. Tried Grapphite spray already and Liquid Wrench--> no go. This has normally saved me in the past but something happened to it this time and even this didn't work.
2. Orbital Sander idea would have been interesting
3. Since I was changing it anyway, I tried brute forcing it with a flat head screwdriver in the keyhole...dumb idea didn't do anything except probably jam it further

Solution
1. From inside the door, remove entire panel (I assume you know how to do this already).
2. Unscrew side frame screw holding the outer lock in place..this will make it loose but it will not come out unless you can turn the key. If the key works, you can turn 60 degrees (clockwise?) and pull it out and skip to step 8.
2a. Remove screw holding the tip of the outer door lock in place (side opposite keyhole) from inside (theres a small hole to insert a long philips screw driver). I don't know if this step is essential, but it made it seem easier

3. Unscrew the four screws (two on side frame and two on inner screws holding the entire inner locking mechanism in place.
4. Now allow the inner lock mechanism to slide out towards the outside of the door and tilt it 60 degrees.
5. This should now allow enough jiggle room to turn entire outer locking mechanism out of the door and to 90 degrees (it will still be attached by the rod so be careful not to scratch the car!, use a protective cloth I suppose). You can't do this without loosening up the inner lock mechanism as in step 3.
6. Turn the outer lock and wiggle the inner lock, so that magic 60 degree angle is obtained and woila! your done
7. Screw inner lock back into place
8. Insert new outer lock apparatus with new key turned 60 so that it engages with the inner lock mechanism
9. Replace side frame screw
10. Close inner panel back together
11. Done!

I spent an hour frustrated until I discovered Step 3 was the crucial step...with the inner part loose, there's enough wiggle room (at least 126.120 300SD) for a jammed up lock to come out...

:) :D

Hopefully this helps someone else (the owner of a car) out! Good thing to know that these cars are built solid..you can't brute force the lock mechanism open!

A word of caution...if you're car is like mine (20+ years old) and the key is sticking, do not wait till the last minute. This job was a lot harder had I not proscrainated until the key mechanism was completely toast.

I managed to push this for several months, but would advise against this...

BTW: It cost me $184 for a universal replacement lock from the dealer. Original lock (custom order) to fit existing keys = $480! Fast lane had the universal lock for similar price, but I needed it faster so went to dealer. Only thing I lost is factory burgular alarm which had already quit working many years ago. ( I have an aftermarket burgular alarm).

Key works now
 

I took your advise, I did not wait until it was toast. I disengaged all the screws until the rear mechanism was loose and oiled it. Then I shut the door and played with the lock. It worked immediately. I guess it just needed someone to touch it. I really appreciate being able to lock the drivers door without crawling through the passenger seat. That was rough.
Next stop....Odo.
following....spider light for the Gear Stick and AC controls
After that....vacuum lock actuater.
then.....Keyless Entry
Will we get that far? oh yeah, we'll get that far.

I bought my 300e with a stuck driver door lock. I used the trunk to lock and unlock the car for the last 9 months and finally got the time to work on it. 300sd2000, thanks for the procedure, just because it's been 15 years doesn't mean the advice isn't sound. It worked like a charm. Once I got the cylinder out I took it to a locksmith and they were able to get it working. They had to cut me a new key and put in some new lock wafers. I would have liked to try doing it myself, but sometimes you have to acknowledge when it's time to get some help.

I did learn something when I was putting the door back together. I wanted to make sure everything was functioning properly before putting the panel and trim back on the door but couldn't get the lock to engage. It took about an hour of carefully looking everything over to finally realize that the door has to be closed for the door lock to work properly. :P Hope someone else doesn't have to waste an hour to learn the same lesson!

my two cents is that this occurred on my ignition after being totally unable to remove the cylinder with the release pins. Just didnt work and I think they were drilled out or damaged..Then the lock seized and I had to run drills through the key slot until it would turn with a screwdriver. It will now turn and start easily with just anything, a key or a screwdriver and I STILL cannot get the lock cylinder out. Im not driving this car so its not fixed, but its not that hard to drill out and turn the lock and dealing with it from this point is what would separate the You Tube mechanics from the real experts!

Lock panel can't be removed if you try to remove it by own. So, consider trying to replace the lock panel with the help of locksmith.

Lock panel can't be removed if you try to remove it by own. So, consider trying to replace the lock panel with the help of locksmith.