You guys were wonderful help on my previous problem.
I now have what seems to be problem that could only happen to a woman. My key is stuck in the drivers door and will not come out! I can turn the key both directions but the key will not come out of the lock. When I turn the key it does not operate the locks. It feels different than before.

My car is a 1991 300ce. I can't drive it until I get this resolved. Please help me... Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Sondra

How is the temperature where you live? Frozen? Rusted?
Otherwise, just work the key up, down, side to side. I hope this helps...Good luck!

__________________
J.H.
'86 300E

Here are some questions;

1. Have you a spare set of keys, and have you tried operating the locks from the trunk or the passenger door? I don't mean to suggest this as a solution, but that information can tell the members here whether the problem is isolated to the driver's door, or is more involved.

2. Did you notice recently any stiffness or grinding as you were turning the key? What is the temperature where you are?

3. You say the locks don't operate. Is it easier to turn the key than it used to be?

4. Have you tried pulling the key outward with slight pressure as you approach the 12 o'clock position? Can you feel a detent, or notch when you do that?

__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.

Sounds a bit like a problem I had not too long back.

When you say "it feels different", does it feel looser than before, as in you don't feel any resistance? In my case a small roll pin had come out of the mechanism and turning the key did not turn the connecting rod to the inner lockworks. I could also turn the key almost 360*. Try centering the key and pulling out, if it doesn't come out try turning the lock 180* and try pulling out again.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Door lock tumbler or assembly.This thing happen to my 190e the small pin that MIke is talking about broke into small pieces .Call Phil from fastlane he can hook you up.

__________________
96' E320

Hi Guys,

Still stuck!

To answer some of your questions, here goes.

1) The temp. is about 30-38 during the evenings.

2) No rust anywhere.

3) The key is stuck in the horozontal position and will not turn.

4) Earlier in the day I tried to lock the car with the door key and it turned freely. Actually felt loose. It would not lock the doors but the other locks would.

5) When I later tried to lock the car, the key got stuck in the horozontal position (if you know what I mean guys...) and would not come out of the lock!

I now have the key sticking out of my door and I can't get it out.

Please HELP!
Sondra

Try WD-40 or hot water.

__________________
96' E320

You didn't answer the question about spare keys. Have you tried locking/unlocking the doors with the key in it's current state, from one of the other doors? If that is impossible, I am almost 100% positive the pin is jammed.

So the key is horizontal and you are not able to turn it? Working the key may release it, but too much working the key may also break it, and you would be worse off then.

I assume from your last post that the doors are not locked at the moment.

This procedure is based on the 190, but I believe it is similar for your car. My apologies if it's not, and any 124 owners are welcome to provide the correct procedure.

You will need a set of Allen keys, (Less than $5 dollars at an auto parts store).

When you open the door, there should be a small black plug up near the locking mechanism, on the END of the door, ie the part that is hidden from both inside and outside.

Remove the plug. Helps if you have long fingernails.

Look in the opening to see a screw head needing an allen wrench.

Back off the screw head about 1/4", not turns, but 1/4" in distance.

Now, take the rectangularish assembly where the key is stuck, and pull it backwards, towards the rear of the door, or towards the rear of the car. Normally you would have to turn the key to about 2 o'clock position before doing this, but I suspect the pin is broken and/or jammed.

When you do this, you should feel that assembly loosen, and you will be able to pull it outwards, toward you.

Pull carefully, as it can hang up on the gasket. Also, retest the key at this point. You may have loosened the pin, and the key may turn, and the key may come out once in the vertical position. If this is true, you can halt the procedure there and live with the unusable lock on the driver's side. If you want to continue, keep pulling outward. There may or may not be wires attached, but if there are, they will be attached with an easily disengaged plug.

If this procedure works, it should come away from the jammed pin, and I'm guessing the assembly will now turn, and the key will come out. If it doesn't, and if the key is still stuck, you can take the assembly to a locksmith. He should be able to remove the key. In either case, fixing the broken pin is a different story.

Warning: At this point the handle that opens your door is loose and can be removed or fall off. If you are worried about losing it through vandalism, etc., you might be better to remove it too, by pulling it backwards and out.

There will be a minor trick to get the assembly back on, but it's not complicated. It's essentially the reverse of the removal. Just be gentle and patient, and you will know when it feels right.

Good luck.

__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.

I agree, sounds more like the roll pin has slipped from it's bore. Also sounds like it is intact and catching on something, preventing the key from returning to the upright position. You will have to remove the outside handle to fix. I think the 124 is very similar to the 126, find the plug on the door jamb (previously mentioned), remove it and you should see a large phillips head screw. Remove the screw, now you can gently slide (might require a little force) the handle toward the front of the car. Once the rear has disengaged, it will pull out.

Normally at this point you would need to turn the key to free the hand from the door. Maybe it is stuck in the proper position. Once the rear is free of the door, slide toward the rear to disengage the front.

Installation is reversed.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Thanks to all and especially Blue Baby Benz & Mike Tangas!

I was able to pull the lock out and retrieve my key. There were broken tabs on the lock. I will call on Monday to order a new lock.

Again, you guys are great! I am again driveing my Benz.

Sondra:p