PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - 190E URGENT!!Please help with Ignition lock!!!!

psfred · #21 02-01-2003, 09:43 PM

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