I got into my car the other morning and the key wouldnt turn. After some cussing, I had it towed to my mechanic. He said he needed to istall a whole new ignition lock, and with towing (about 5 miles) cost 538!? Is this normal?

Sounds about right....for a stealership list price part and having an $85/hr indy do the work.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

$538

The tumbler on your ignition is shot. To get the tumbler out you need to be able to turn the key. If you can do it that way it would take you about 15 minutes to replace (the part costs about $65). Not being able to turn the key means they will have to take out the tumbler from behind the dash. It’s a tedious and time-consuming process.

When this happened to me I sat in the car for 30 minutes alternately spraying WD-40 into it and playing with the key. It finally turned. Good luck.

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

Hello out there,
As, I do NOT want to go through this situation, my wife went to drive the Black Bomber the other day and she stated that she could NOT move the key.
I showed her the old trick about GENTLY rocking the steering wheel side to side while turning the key......and it worked as needed.
I guess that I am USED to the situation. HOWEVER, I am getting ready to order a replacement.
I will CALL a few of the MB stealerships around the Boston area to compare prices...Probably will get a VARIETY of PRICES!!!
WOULD PHIL be able to get the CORRECT ORIGINAL MASTER KEY, KEYED TO THE TUMBLER if I gave him the CORRECT VIN from the Black Bomber? OR will I have to go to the STEALERSHIP?
thanx,
Spo out

$538 to install, way too much, installation only takes a few seconds, maybe $5 tops. But $533 for getting the old one out is a very good price. When you lock the car you lock the tumbler in. Lubricating the tumbler should be part of the regular scheduled maintained.

I got a new one for about $70 at a dealer, I think that's a typical price, and a good one if you consider it also comes with a $25 key. When you get one you will have to show proof of ownership.

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5 speed '91 190E 2.6 320,000 mi. (new car, fast, smooth as silk six, couldn't find any more Peugeots)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.5l Turbo Diesel 266,000 mi. (old car, fast for a diesel, had 2 others)
5 speed '01 Jetta V6 (new wifes car, pretty quick)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.2l Turbo Gas 197,000 mi. (wifes car, faster, sadly gone just short of 200k )
5 speed '83 Yamaha 750 Maxim 14,000 mi. (fastest)
0 speed 4' x 8' 1800 lb Harbor Freight utility trailer (only as fast as what's pulling it)

Sometimes it's not just the tumbler but the steering lock "bolt" that hangs as well.

My solution FWIW:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=58636&highlight=key+bolt+diamond

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Cool.. Do you mind if I add your information to the DYI site I've been working on?

Its at http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jjs5772/W123

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

Great site! Use whatever you like.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

FWIW, a local locksmith told me never use WD-40 or anything similar. I believe graphite was what he gave me. He also told me not to have other keys, fobs, etc. rubbing against each other. Cleaning the cylinders by using the graphite periodically and pushing the key in-and-out repeatedly keeps the pins clean and properly lubricated. His last word of advice (keep in mind he is a locksmith) is to replace the keys every so often before they are too worn. Though I have followed the maint. portion of what he said, I still use the same keys.

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Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.

I just got a new ignition tumble and master key for my 85 300D for $150.00.
The part had to be ordered from the dealer.
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80 450SL
85 300D
97 E320