w123 Lock Tumbler Question and Issue - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

saludayaker · #1 05-18-2010, 10:36 AM

Okay, two things:
1. I replaced my ignition tumbler when I first got the car so I have two keys, the original for the doors and a new one for the ignition. Now my original key is not doing a good job of unlocking/locking the driver's side door. I'm guessing it's b/c the key and tumbler are worn out. Question is, can I remove and clean the two tumblers from the front doors and take them and my newer ignition key to a locksmith and have him match them up? Is that possible? It would be nice to get back to only one key again.
2. I'm not sure how the locks are supposed to work exactly, I don't have vacuum...I'm working on it! However; the front driver's side door lock will not push down to the locked position no matter how hard I try. It has to be locked with the key from the outside and as I said in number 1 this is becoming increasingly difficult. Also, the rear passenger side door no longer locks. It did something funny one day and kinda froze up on me, wouldn't open, then wouldn't close. Now even if I press the button down to lock the door, when I pull on the outside door handle the lock just comes right up and the door opens! Any ideas?

toomany MBZ · #2 05-18-2010, 11:04 AM

You may want to get a factory cut key for your doors, available from the dealer. I don't know if they can be re-keyed to work with your new ignition tumbler or not.
The drivers door lock knob will not depress when the door is open, a safety measure so you won't lock the keys in. To help until you get things straightened out, open the rear door, close and then lock the front door, then lock the rear door, then close it.

saludayaker · #3 05-18-2010, 11:42 AM

ahh that makes sense. Any idea what could be wrong with the back door locking mechanism? I'm putting an order together so I can try to fix it this weekend. Any part I need to order for it you think?

charmalu · #4 05-18-2010, 11:45 AM

Where did you get the tumbler when you first got the car? from the junk yard?
why the 2 set of different keys?

No need to go the a lock smith to get things re-keyed.
the ignition tumbler and keys should match your Vin #, and available from the dealer. then the door key will also fit the ignition. unless along the way, someone changed the door locks from the JY.

now if the button on the drives door won`t depress, sounds like something mechanical in the door. I would start with pulling the door panel and checking things out.

Charlie

rhodes2010 · #5 05-18-2010, 11:49 AM

It sounds too late now... but the dealer provides ignition cylinders
and key matched to the VIN number.

So when an ignition goes bad you can replace it with an exact match that matches doors and trunk locks. And only have one key to deal with.

I have removed door locks and cleaned and lubed which made them work better. I have not tried to match a door lock to an ignition lock.

saludayaker · #6 05-18-2010, 11:50 AM

No, I had to change the tumbler in the ignition b/c of the common problem where the ignition gets sticky and stops turning. I ordered a new ignition tumbler off the internet and it came with a new/its own key. I think toomany is right about the front driver's door. The question remains though, why will the back door not lock? The button presses down as if locked, but when you pull on the outside handle the lock button just pops up and the door opens as if it was never locked in the first place. I need to get that fixed before I move back into the city.

saludayaker · #7 05-18-2010, 11:59 AM

Hmm, i wonder how much a MB Dealer would charge for a matched tumbler. I wouldn't feel so bad about dealing with two keys if it meant that I saved a couple hundred bucks!

vstech · #8 05-18-2010, 12:08 PM

a 123 vin matched ignition tumbler with a new matching key to the doors in your car is only about 40.00 at the mb dealer.
you will need the registration for the car in your name of course, but you should have no problem changing it.
the door locks are easy to fix. take them apart, pull the tumbler, and clean it with wd-40 and then rinse well with brake cleaner or motor/contact cleaner spray. that'll usually fix the door locks that get gummed up with "lubes" and other chemicals.
the fact your door pops open, could be in the door auto lock parts, pull your door panel, and see what's pushing on it.

saludayaker · #9 05-18-2010, 12:27 PM

That I will. Ok then, so let's say that I pull the driver's side tumbler and clean it and degunk it. Is it possible that the tumbler could be worn down and still cause problems? Or could it just be that the key is worn down and I need a new key? Can a locksmith make a new key for the tumblers once their cleaned? What it reasonable to pay for a new key like that?

charmalu · #10 05-18-2010, 02:00 PM

After market keys are brass, and as they wear down the brass can cause problems in the tumbler expecially if wd-40 etc... is sprayed to lube things. It tends to gum up things.

The Dealer keys are made of steel, and are about $17 ea.
Using the ignition tumbler off the internet is ok as long as you don`t loose your keys. Do you know the Vin# the tumbler came out of? and if you did, you would be SOL trying to use a different VIN than your own for your car.

I just bought a new tumbler and a second key for the 240 from the dealer.
timbler lists for $100, and he out of the kindness of his heart.let me have it for $90. the key list $17.50 for me $15.84. total with $6.50 shipping/tax = 121.07.

.

$40 sounds real good.

Charlie

toomany MBZ · #11 05-18-2010, 02:12 PM

You'll have to remove the door panel to see if the linkage is still hooked up to the locking mechanism, I'm thinking.

vstech · #12 05-18-2010, 08:15 PM

yeah, some MB dealerships really hose their customers.
explain you are a repair shop of one, and need the commercial discount. most parts guys will give you the jobber price or at least a discounted from list!
I got a price of 44 for a 126 laser cut tumbler/key set.
the 123 should be around 30 and the keys are only 16 by themselves.

toomany MBZ · #13 05-18-2010, 09:12 PM

I've bought 123 keys from the dealer, $14.00 each.

unimogman404 · #14 08-27-2014, 03:53 PM

My turn to have that problem. My key can still turn in the ignition but I am not using my car ; waiting for the new part ordered on E-Bay ! First , I phoned the dealer ; with the serial number , the could have me the tumbler with the same key I open my door , trunk etc for $249.00 CAN . Then I asked a guy that a Mercedes scrap yard and he said $100.00 CAN. Finally , went on E-Bay and find one for $31.95 including shipping ! Of course , I opted for E-Bay and I went on Youtube and I now know how to pull out the bad tumbler and put in the new tumbler ! I hope it saves people a lot of money !

funola · #15 08-27-2014, 05:04 PM

Who is the cheapest dealer to get a steel key made? Can it be done by mail order if I fax them the info?

After taking apart and inspected 2 ignition tumblers from my 83 and 84 300 D that would not turn with the key, I think the problem is due to key wear and not tumbler wear. The tumbler leaves are made of a harder material than the key. My keys were all brass copies, the original steel keys I never got with the cars when purchased. If I did get the steel key, I am convinced they would not have the same issues since steel does not wear as fast as brass keys. Once I get the steel key from the dealer, I can easily measure the wear on the brass copies and compare.