If you could that would be awesome!

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Well, my 1990 300TE did exactly the same thing about 3 months after I bought it with one key and 125K miles 2 years ago. For no apparent reason the key wouldn't work. Went to the dealer with the title and the key itself. The dealer had a brand new key sent sent to them (they couldn't actually make a copy themselves!). The new key worked great right off the bat and has ever since, and I swear, I hold this new one that
works side by side with the old one and I cannot see any difference at all, they look identical, but the new one works and old one won't...still....I try it from time to time....the ignition key is an interesting little monkey....

I'll see what I can find out.

Also, check out this locksmith. He has developed a MB Template for drilling out tumblers.


Randy Mize
Mize Lock & Key
367 Hickory Spring Ln, Union, MO (314) 353-0779


"RANDY MIZE: With 30 years experience as an automotive locksmith, Randy has made transponders and high security his priority. Randy is the inventor of Lockmasters' High Security Flip Pick and the Mercedes Drill Template. Randy is considered the most highly respected automotive locksmith in the US because of his devotion to the trade and his exceptional energy level. He is also a consultant to aftermarket tool manufacturers and OE automobile manufacturers."

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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible

How worn is your key?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I've got a 95 e320 wagon and I think the tumbler is on its way out. i can insert the key and turn, but then something catches and I can't turn. a slight jiggle and I can more forward. I guess I better call the dealer like yesterday right? what I'm looking for is the "tumbler" correct? what will they need, VIN?

I think I'll get keys to match the car....$50 is not worth having an extra key to deal with...

$85 doesn't seem too bad. Good thing I got a ballpark figure to go in with. I'll get that sorted tomorrow....
Then I just gotta get the correct drilling info and I'm ready to get the wagon up and running again!

__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

ps2cho, try calling a local indie and see if he can offer any advice about replacing your ignition lock cylinder. I suspect any longterm indie has dealt with this situation numerous times and may share some tips with you. The indie may also offer to make a "house call" and repair your car where it sits.

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Fred Hoelzle

$85 for a tumbler and and key? That should be $480...I just posted that I got a brand new key from the dealer for $38 and it has worked just fine ever since (and they were going through inventory reorog anyway and never even charged me for the key)...I'd just go get a new key...I bet it'll work.....good luck

The tumbler is loose in the housing...this is not just a key issue.

I found a generic tumbler + 2 keys for $17. That's so cheap its a no-brainer.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

What happened to your tumbler was probably what was in store for me had I not changed mine out. It was very loose like yours. It came out in 2 pieces, the collar and the tumbler part with all the springs and pins. It is this collar part, where the key goes in, that is hardened steel and the tough part to get past for obvious ant-theft reasons. The rest is an aluminum casting with a bunch of slots cut into it for the brass pins and springs. The design fault is that the slots by the collar leave very little continuous metal. I'm amazed that they last as long as they do.

Now that you have the generic, you can see how the wire tool works in depressing that spring clip. Hope you can get that key to position 1!

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280

Gotcha.

I have made the tool needed and it fits perfectly, but as you said, I gotta try and get that key to turn.

__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Got the new tumbler today and planning to drill after looking at it -- There is a small pinhole that lines up correctly when the key is in position 1. If I can drill at this correct spot, then it should be super easy.

Only problem is -- Can anybody here tell me which way is "up" ? Does that metal piece at the back reside at the top or the bottom when the tumbler is in the correct orientation? Obviously there are only two choices.

Here:


EDIT: Managed to "just" about find one that gives it away
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=17610&d=1082134155

Fingers crossed gonna see if this works

At least by the end of this, anybody else who has this problem will have pictures and directions on how to DIY it.

__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Ended up a failure....can't seem to figure out how to get the black shroud off. Tried to drill through it, but its metal and circular so that ended up failing too.

How does this ring come off?



^ You can see here....Its the black inner ring/shroud.

__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

ps2cho, the wire tool releases both the tumbler and the black shroud. As far as I know the black shroud is a hardened metal intended to prevent tampering with the tumbler. Spend some more time attempting to insert and turning the key to Position 1 so you can use the wire tool. Did you purchase the new tumbler from a MB dealer? It doesn't lool like the tumbler that the MB dealers sell, at least not the two I have purchased.

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Fred Hoelzle

I had a close look at the tumbler and collar when I replaced my tumbler in the 300TE some months ago. I played around with snapping the collar back in WITHOUT the tumbler, to see what holds what. The base of the collar gets secured into the ignition lock assembly, not the tumbler, and it holds the tumbler in. As Ferdman said, the true purpose of the collar is anti-theft to prevent someone from using a puller to pop the tumbler out.

If I were you, I would get a Dremel moto-tool with the carbide cutting wheel to cut off the rim of the collar. Remove the chromed ring and dash trim piece first of course to give you room to cut all around it, and as close to the side of the collar possible.

As I posted in another thread, if you can cut the rim off the collar, the tumbler will just come right out. Then use the wire tool to release the collar. Yes, you will have to buy a new collar, and no I do not know how much it costs.

Good luck.

Edit- the collar or black shroud is officially the "ignition lock cover" and costs $16 ordered from Peachparts.