door lock jam, lock plungers working...

[allenying]

hi,
so tonight i put my key in the door as usual, and when i turned it to unlock it, the plungers lifted but the key got stuck in the turned position, i wiggled it around for a while and tried to warm it up with my breath, thinking it was the 28° weather affecting it, eventually i got it straight, but the key was still stuck, and eventually I got it out.

now i can only lock and unlock the doors with the driver side plunger, central locks working, but i can only move that plunger when the door is closed (i forget if this is standard with this vacuum system), but, from the outside i can not turn the door lock with the key in either direction.

the key works on the passenger door, but it's always been pretty stiff to turn. so to lock my car tonight, i locked driver door, which locked everything, climbed over to the passenger side, opened the door, get out, close it, and lock it with the key, and i feel like i'm forcing it as usual with that door.

so, it must just be the driver side key hole mechanism, or tumbler, jamming, or freezing, right?

do you think the key mechanism will likely have to be replaced or can it be repaired?

can i avoid getting a separate key for the door and ignition? right now all key slots use the same key…

thanks!!!

[Lycoming-8]

On the style 300D that you have, only being able to operate the driver doorlock plunger when the door is closed is normal. It helps keep owners from locking the car while the keys are still in the car. Your other issues are likely being caused by sticky or dirty tumblers or leaves in the lock cylinder. There have been a fair number of discussions about this issue in the recent past. Just use the search feature and you should find at least one.

The good news is that cleaning with the appropriate materials is usually the answer, and new locks or keys are likely a way down the road !!

[optimusprime]

Lots on this problem, youtube is the place to find out how to get the lock out of the door to operate on it ,Also on this site above information on how to. .Did mine last year . Do a search on here [ problem with door lock barrel ]

[vstech]

123 door tumblers are a breeze. 3 screws. And it's out. Easy to open up for repair also.

[allenying]

thanks,
when i initially searched i searched for door key jam, the results were about the vacuum system, i see now searching with barrel or tumbler there are more discussions.

this is what i'm finding:

tumblers info
if the key goes in but doesn’t turn, there is likely a pin or something inside the tumbler that is broken.
sticking locks and tumblers should be fixed before they completely fail, otherwise they're harder to disassemble - maybe too late for me.
the door tumbler is not sold separately from door handle.
mb classic center says door handles are no longer available, and to find a used door handle and have a locksmith recode it to the original key.
mb manhattan says they have door handles.


key info
dealer keys are steel, after market ilco keys are brass and wear quicker.
1985 w123 keys are sawtooth cut.
later model keys are laser cut.
i have an original key which doesn't look very worn, and had an ilco copy made, and i don't use the original to not wear it from the state that i received it in.


prices
ignition tumbler should be around $30 from dealer
keys should be $16

“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."

mb manhattan prices:
door handle: $234
key: $48
ignition tumbler: $265

mb classic center prices:
key: $17.85
ignition cylinder: $180.20

what are the most recent prices people have gotten for these?

links:
PeachPartsWiki: Door Lock Repair
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/43491-fixed-my-lock-cylinder-driver-s-side.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/277709-w123-lock-tumbler-question-issue.html

thanks!

[funola]

I do not find it an inconvenient if the ign. key is different than the door key. I had an aftermarket ign tumbler in my 83 which cost around $15 to 20 and worked fine. I kept the ign key hidden in the car with a magnet so as not to carry the extra key. One benefit is you won't lose that key. Just don't advertise it to thieves and the insurance co.

I have good used door handles with good tumblers. Not sure if I have keys for it. A locksmith should be able to make keys for it or re-leaf it to your key. I'm in Queens.

[allenying]

oh, that is interesting.
it turns out today, when it was 40F, it worked fine!
so... i'm not sure what the next step would be to prevent it from jamming when it's below freezing...
i'll have to see when it happens again to make sure it wasn't just a freak accident...
thanks,

[Mxfrank]

Tell you what I would do. CRC makes an alcohol aerosol for cleaning electrical components. I would shoot some into the lock. If it doesnt flush out all the water, it will prevent the residual moisture from freezing.

[allenying]

strange, last night it was fine, but later on when it got below freezing, i couldn't even put the key all the way in the driver side door... i mean, could it be ice inside? seems strange. are we sure an alcohol aerosol won't cause other erosion on the parts or paint?
thanks,

[Mxfrank]

You can test it on the paint somewhere inconspicuous. The alcohol should completely evaporate in short order, and it will take the water with it. Meanwhile, it will prevent freezing.

There is an o-ring inside that's supposed to keep out moisture, perhaps it's perished, or perhaps it's just a fluke. But water is definitely in the mechanism. Refer to my write up on my 190 locks, which are likely very similar in construction:

http://www.coolcatcorp.com/Mercedes%20Locks/Door%20Lock/190%20Door%20Locks.html

[allenying]

thanks, if aerosol alcohol would work, would rubbing alcohol work? if i can avoid buying a can of product that i will only use a few sprays, that would be ideal,

thanks,

[Mxfrank]

Sure. It freezes at 120 below and will go into solution with water. You could probably use high proof vodka, too. Test on the paint somewhere inconspicuous.