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  #1  
Old 12-08-2005, 04:44 PM
Mark in NJ's Avatar
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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lost keys! hotwire?

I lost my ignition key.

How can I start my car and/or replace the ignition lockset...or just replace it with a "start button"
1983 300CD


Mark

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  #2  
Old 12-08-2005, 04:53 PM
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Dieseldiehard
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bay Area No Calif.
Posts: 4,368
The diesel can be easily started by removing the shut off vac line to the shut off valve and jumpering the two appropriate terminals on the fenderwell that will crank the engine, you may need to heat the glow plugs with a manual connection (I heard a jumper cable will do in a pinch)
BUT
if the steering wheel is locked you aren't going very far!
I suggest if you can, call the nearest dealer and see if they will order a code cut key for you, it only takes a couple days (they usually need the owners title to confirm ownership before ordering them) and the only problem that could potentially arise is that if the locks were changed, an original key won't work.
Good luck!
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  #3  
Old 12-08-2005, 05:13 PM
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Location: Sacramento, Ca
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LockSmith

My friends is a locksmith, he can't cut a mercedes key because he dosen't have the equiment, but he said he was trained on it, and he has the code books, so if he had the equipment he would be able to cut the keys. call a few locksmiths, ask them if the cut high security keys, tell them you have a mercedes... the tool my friend is missing is called a sidewinder milling machine.

my freind can cut the older mercedes keys. like the one i have for the 300D i own.

hope that helps a little.

Nik
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  #4  
Old 12-08-2005, 07:50 PM
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Dieseldiehard
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bay Area No Calif.
Posts: 4,368
I didn't want to bring up calling a locksmith!

The process of code cutting a key can vary according to the skill if the locksmith and how much he has available in the way of a cutter and the right key blanks (they usually have brass blanks)
There is a code on the drivers side door in the area of the handle on the lock assy. You have to remove the door panel to get to it first and then you can get the code. Then you need a code book to cut a key. Lockshops can call other buddies for the code sequence to cut a key if they don't own a code book, they are even available on the Internet to the right people.

In a large city there is generally a locksmith capable of doing this. My brother owns a lock shop and has done this kind of job before, usually for a panic sticken customer. But he prefers to send away for the factory lock cylinder and a new key (they come as a set if you order them that way) he said that cutting a key by getting the code this way can be more costly and less reliable than ordering the OE lock from a dealer.
And if the locksmith refuses to remove the door panel and only takes work from an auto shop, like some places do, your going to pay two people. Let us know what way you finally go.
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
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  #5  
Old 12-08-2005, 11:19 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 231
Keys

Just got a key in last week that I ordered from the dealership - $27.00, ordered over the phone by VIN (I have an account w/ dealership & they know me & the car) -

If your key worked ALL the locks on the car, odds are good that one ordered from dealer will work in the ignition - in the years that I worked at the M-B dealership that I grew up in, any ignition switch swaps were usually keyed to match existing locks...

Bryan in NC
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  #6  
Old 12-09-2005, 06:16 AM
cmac2012's Avatar
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 33,895
Quote:
Originally Posted by dieseldiehard
The diesel can be easily started by removing the shut off vac line to the shut off valve and jumpering the two appropriate terminals on the fenderwell that will crank the engine, you may need to heat the glow plugs with a manual connection (I heard a jumper cable will do in a pinch)
BUT
if the steering wheel is locked you aren't going very far!
I suggest if you can, call the nearest dealer and see if they will order a code cut key for you, it only takes a couple days (they usually need the owners title to confirm ownership before ordering them) and the only problem that could potentially arise is that if the locks were changed, an original key won't work.
Good luck!
I bought a key from the local MB dealer with my VIN and the damn thing arrived and you could tell by sight it was clearly not the right key.

The guy said the locks must have been changed at some point. I said, "What, 2 doors, trunk, ignition, even glove box all work on my existing beat up key? They're going to put a new lock on the glove box?"

He said they come in a set to do the whole car. Maybe.... But I had to eat the $50. I suggested that maybe in the future, they could photocopy the existing key and send that in along with the VIN to avoid this problem.

He said, yeah maybe but the time involved in that would be prohibitive.

He's probably right. Still, it wasn't the most satisfying $50 I've ever spent.

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