What's the deal with 300E's ignition tumbler - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

allenbistany · #1 06-29-2009, 03:23 PM

My car has 1 key for the ignition and another for the locks of the doors. This means the previous owner's other ignition was bad and he replaced it. Now this one is starting to get stuck every time making it difficult to turn the key. You would think that Mercedes would of re engineered a better tumbler so this doesn't keep happening. Any input on a solution or technique?

TX76513 · #2 06-29-2009, 03:31 PM

Engineered to never wear out? I would assume PO bought a generic tumbler set - The dealer can get you the specific one made for your VIN (which should) match the door locks. Proof of ownership required and about $90.

JimFreeh · #3 06-29-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenbistany

My car has 1 key for the ignition and another for the locks of the doors. This means the previous owner's other ignition was bad and he replaced it. Now this one is starting to get stuck every time making it difficult to turn the key. You would think that Mercedes would of re engineered a better tumbler so this doesn't keep happening. Any input on a solution or technique?

You need to address this, and quickly.

Once the tumbler hangs up, replacement gets exponentially harder.

Jim

mramay · #4 06-30-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

You need to address this, and quickly.

Once the tumbler hangs up, replacement gets exponentially harder.

Jim

Exponentially, as in "need nuclear weapons to get the $%^&* tumbler set out of the ignition!" Tonight, fingers still crossed, I'm expecting to take five (5) whole minutes in the MB dealers parking lot to pull my dodgy tumbler set and install the "brand new with a key tumbler" set. With an extra key, it was $110. I also got the black plastic "escutcheon" that surrounds the ignition switch since when I took mine out to maximize my access to the steel collar, the 22-year old piece of plastic broke.

Once the tumbler set freezes and won't turn, it's a minimum of a four hour job to drop the steering wheel down to get at the 1/8" thick hardened steel collar protecting the tumblers and cut it off with a grinder. Might be a six hour job, depending on the skill of the mechanic and costs around $600 to do it.

Is that enough incentive to do it NOW?? :-)

pawoSD · #5 06-30-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenbistany

My car has 1 key for the ignition and another for the locks of the doors. This means the previous owner's other ignition was bad and he replaced it. Now this one is starting to get stuck every time making it difficult to turn the key. You would think that Mercedes would of re engineered a better tumbler so this doesn't keep happening. Any input on a solution or technique?

Think of how many times the key has been inserted and removed in its life....things do wear out!

I replaced it with a generic one on my 300E....$25 with two keys. Easy.

The ignition assembly on my sisters minivan is breaking apart....and its only 10 years old/95k on it.....the MB ones last close to twice that long.

ps2cho · #6 07-01-2009, 01:20 AM

If you search my threads I just replaced mine on my 300TE and I have instructions + pictures. It was a nightmare when the tumbler breaks on the inside and you cannot turn the key. Since it still turns, fix it ASAP, seriously.

pawoSD · #7 07-01-2009, 01:27 AM

My tumbler broke but was still turning as, and came out as, one piece. VERY luckily.

sdpartz · #8 07-01-2009, 01:41 AM

Been there done that, It's an experience you will remember for a very long time. The locksmith had a dremell tool to cut through and still NO go.
That's a ticking time bomb.

98 ML320
97 C230
95 318ti
92 190E 2.6 Sportline
82 300D Turbo Dsl

lkchris · #9 07-01-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenbistany

You would think that Mercedes would of re engineered a better tumbler so this doesn't keep happening. Any input on a solution or technique?

In yours a broken 20-year-old part was replaced with another 20-year-old part about to become broken. If it would have been replaced with a new part, you'd not be having a problem. You get what you pay for.

ps2cho · #10 07-01-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdpartz

Been there done that, It's an experience you will remember for a very long time. The locksmith had a dremell tool to cut through and still NO go.
That's a ticking time bomb.

98 ML320
97 C230
95 318ti
92 190E 2.6 Sportline
82 300D Turbo Dsl

I managed to get mine out with a dremel, but it took a long time and a couple of days as the dremel would overheat and no longer work.

Here's the carnage pics

allenbistany · #11 07-01-2009, 03:26 PM

Alright i realize how important this is, thanks to all of you for the replies. I looked at some pictures and i gotta know. I put the key in position 1 and then use the coat hanger t o insert into the two holes and thats it?? It comes up and i just replace it????? or is there more to it???

ps2cho · #12 07-01-2009, 04:02 PM

Nope. You can see the tool I used in the picture above. Turn to position 1, insert and push until it clicks and use the key as your pulling device. It comes out with the black housing. Make sure not to move the lock while the tumbler is out, or it breaks and you gotta buy an entire new lock cylinder.

allenbistany · #13 07-02-2009, 05:11 PM

where can i get one of those tools, because the dealer said they have them but they dont sell them to the public, i tried a coat hanger grinded down cuz that was too big and no go....i dont understand the last part, i thought the whole point was to replace the lock cylinder since mines jaming, so why cant i turn the key once its out??....

ps2cho · #14 07-02-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenbistany

where can i get one of those tools, because the dealer said they have them but they dont sell them to the public, i tried a coat hanger grinded down cuz that was too big and no go....i dont understand the last part, i thought the whole point was to replace the lock cylinder since mines jaming, so why cant i turn the key once its out??....

Your tumbler is jamming, not the cylinder behind it.

I made the tool from a regular wire coathanger. You can see the picture above. When the key is moved to position 1, you can insert it into the little hole. Any type of hard thin wire will do. Try going to a local hardware store and look around for something that will do.