Could be a low battery on the remote but if the car's lights flash, it's getting the signal. The indicator light on the remote should flash once - about a second after any button is pressed. If the steel emergency key is difficult to turn it's probably because you never use that lock and it's just gummed up. Still, I wouldn't be to hard on it as it may break. You might want to try some of the specially designed lock products that lubricate the lock barrel.

A question, when you press the button and the lights flash, can you hear the "purr" of the vacuum pump trying to open the doors? If not, the pump is probably not working or just frozen up.

Try this: From about 5 feet away from the drivers door, point the remote at the door handle and hold the unlock button down for at least 5 sec. On my car, this will roll down all the windows. The wildows will continue to move as long as you hold the button down and will stop when it's released. Then you can get reach in and pop the door lock.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250