My '85 S123 has a single worn key that works in the ignition. The lock leaves are worn and won't turn for a replacement key cut to original specs. Tonight my drivers door lock wouldn't turn with the key.

I'd like to repair the ignition and door locks with new lock leaves, but they are unavailable. My local locksmiths don't have them either.

What can I do before my ignition lock fails and leaves me stranded?

Contact the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine, CA. Provide them with documentation that you are the legal owner of the car and they can probably sell you a new key. You will need your VIN number.,

I just buy the cheapest locks I can find that fit my year and model at auction and scavenge the wafers I need.

There are 2 kinds of wafer locks, one were the key looks like a normal key and the high security key where the peaks and valleys are milled into the side of the key. The wafers are completely different.

If you need to, you can leave out a wafer or 2, it will make the lock slightly more easy to pick but then, how often do thieves pick locks?

Attached are some resources to help determine which lock you have and what the part numbers are.

Michael

Attached Files

	lock tumbler parts PD508318.PDF (134.5 KB, 306 views)
	Mercedes-Benz locks.pdf (280.3 KB, 186 views)

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

Please report your current findings. There is lots of conflicting information regarding whether key blanks and/or tumblers are still available.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

This is a high security door lock before cleaning. To clean it, I soaked it down in WD40 and spun the cylinder in the housing to break up some of the gunk. I then dropped everything into an ultrasonic cleaner with a dollop of dish soap in hot water. It's kind of fun watching the WD40 and gunk float away from the metal.

Michael

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

I have a Myele Ignition Lock Tumbler in mine but some have said they don't hold up. I have had it in there for about 6 years but I modified what was a new steering colum lock so that the locking plunger never engages and that removes a lot of spring tension the Ignition Lock Tumbler has to turn against.

Febi also used to sell Ignition Lock Tumblers and some have also said they don't hold up.

When my Trunk Lock Tumbler died I replace it with a used one I got on ebay along with used door handles and door locks. I presume they are still being sold on eBay.

A different Ignition Lock Tumbler means you have an additional key.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Ah, the silly 2 key situation... such an irritating problem. Locks from the dealer are the best but $$$

You can take the tumbler out of the ignition, door locks, glove box. A good locksmith will have wafers and be able to rekey it. Figure out the least amount of locks to rekey and repair

I bought a Febi ign tumbler and had it keyed to the rest of the car. A really good locksmith can cut custom keys that are inbetweeen sizes to help work with worn tumblers.

Thanks for the responses, much appreciated.

@250Coupe: thanks for the info. I've previously researched that route and figured out which set I would need. But they will only sell to locksmiths! I could ask my local guy to get it, but then it would be $$ (~$60 leaf set plus locksmith work) to do the job.

I also have a cheap Chinese ignition lock, and just ordered two used ones from ebay. I will take those apart to see if they give me enough leaves to repair mine.

I like the suggestion of taking a couple leaves out, which I've done on another car.

Don’t use cheap aftermarket crap when it comes to locks if possible.

Total pain in the arse when you’re sitting in your car with the keys and you can’t turn your own ignition. Also a pain when your locks work so well that you can only get in through the passenger side...

Remember, if you’re gonna pay someone to do the locksmithing, it is literally cheaper to supply them with the best parts available

To clarify my statement about buying the cheapest locks on eBay, I'm buying used OEM parts, not cheap aftermarket as the aftermarket wafers and springs may not be interchangeable at all. I don't really care what the outside of the lock looks like so trashed and rusty is fine for what I'm after and tends to be less expensive. What you do have to keep an eye out for is that what you are buying matches what you have. There are standard wafers, 2 track wafers and 4 track wafers.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

Personally, and FWIW, I really don't see the gawd awful, inconvenient big deal of having 2 keys. GM had 2 keys for years. Used 'em a lot and kinda liked the arrangement.
As an added benefit, each key/tumbler would be used quite a bit less maybe translating into lasting a lot longer.... If nothing else, that's a lot less wear and tear on each key.
I had to replace the ignition tumbler for my '83 240D. No biggie. Use my old key to lock/unlock doors and the new key to start the car. Just like my old GM days.....

It's a matter of preference. I've owned a few cars that took 2 keys but I think all of them used the same key for both doors and ignition. The second key was for glove box and trunk. The only GM I've owned is the HHR and it had to have a new ignition lock installed due to the recall. They gave us new keys and I think they kept the originals, it was some time ago and it's the wife's car so I may not have paid attention.

The 300SD drivers door lock didn't work at all, turned out it was a junkyard replacement that didn't come with a key, rendering it unusable. Took an hour or two to make it work with the original key.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

Thanks for the info! I was able to purchase a coded tumbler and 2 keys through the Mercedes Classic Center today, 8/25/21.



I called them at 949-598-4850, and left a message. They returned my call about 2 hours later, though I missed it.



Emailing them at classicparts@mbusa.com seems to be the the most direct route, as you can attach pictures of your license and registration to prove ownership.

Glad to hear you were able to get the parts you needed.

Attaching this file not because I think the 123 has these keys but because someone searching about keys might find this thread and info on the 4-track is hard to find.



Michael

Attached Files

Greg Brandt High Security Chart short.pdf (320.7 KB, 108 views)

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

@ Michael (250 Coupe)

Your information is supperb and very useful. Many thanks for that!

I am now rebuilding several W123 locks and in each case find that the seal around the cylinder has deteriorated and in one case clogged the leafs.

Wondering whether you have found any suitable replacements. I am going to comb through Mcmaster-carr, but hoping a known replacement is already identified. Anyone ?

My impression is that this is a felt-type material. I can imagine maybe a square profile rubber oring might also be a candidate.

--
Michael