Got a problem...

[rowland75]

Hi guys.

On monday morning my 124 E220 decided to keep cutting out, and refusing to rev when restarted.... resulting in me calling the AA whilst sat on the hard shoulder.

They thought it was a fuelling problem and low-loaded me to their recommended garage, since I didnt fancy MB prices, and my favoured indy is 300 miles away.

Whilst at the recommended garage, due to the constant on/off with the ignition...the key has jammed in the barrel. They now cant work on the fuelling fault until they have sorted the key issue.

This was 4 days ago, and being in a hire car im a bit miffed when the only response when I phone them is.. 'The key is still stuck, not sure how to change the barrel'.

What would everyone else do in this situation?

Thanks for any advice

Pete

 

[philayl]

Hi, as it is the AA's recommended garage, get them involved if the work is not being done to a satifactory standard.

 

[kth286]

Rowland75

I am experienced with Merc 124 ignition locks and how to change them etc.

What garage is the car in and where is it ?

The garage is obviously not familiar with the eccentrics of the older Mercs, and the car should obviously not be there.

I doubt it is a fuel problem, but an electrical one which is more common for that generation of Mercs.

HOW I CAN POSSIBLY HELP YOU ?

If the garage is within reasonable travelling distance, I can visit with special tool and
attempt to remove your ignition lock barrel and then remove the key once the barrel is out.
There is NO guarantee the barrel will come out as the key normally has to be in position one for removal.

If the barrel does come out in one piece, we can decide whether it can still be used for a while to continue fault finding, or whether we need to get a loan barrel from a dealer with spare key, to get you operational.

The car will need a new barrel anyway and it must be orderd from Germany via the dealer to ensure the same key can be used. Identitiy via passport and proven ownership of car must be shown to dealer staff. It will arrive in about 7 working days.

Worn barrels are a well known 124 problem.

Whilst at the garage I can read the fault codes logged in the car main computer, if any are actually stored.

This should point to the actual problem and likely solution options.

At this stage I would need to know if the car is in one piece and able to be started, or does it have fuel components removed.

Once I have made my visit, I will report back to you my findings and the next possible move/action.

For credibilty you can look at my posts on this and other Merc forums, which should include several where I have helped other posters out with their Merc124 problems.

The basis of my service is that of dedicated enthusiast, motivated to keep these fabulous
124 cars on the road at an affordable cost.

My reward is beer money at the rate of £20 for every hour spent on the job, and also the cost of any expenses, such as petrol, covered.

E-mail me on: kth286@aol.com and we can discuss further.

 

[kth286]

Rowland75

Not heard from you therefore suspect you got it fixed.

Perhaps it was something as simple as the gear lever was not in Park and therefore key would not come out, they not being familiar with Mercedes.

If it is still stuck perhaps the interlocking cable from barrel to gearbox needs to be undone.