Inginition Key locked off

[martinv]

Folks,

I have a C180 and last night the ignition key locked in the off position. So, no steering etc..etc.. After a tow home I've disassembled as much as I can, but can't get the ignition away from the steering column due to the steering column lock. It's the week-end here so no manuals or mechanics. I believe this topic has been covered in the forum before, but when I try the link I get one very unsual message about "the NT path being incorrect etc.)

Does anyone please have any ideas re special tricks to remove ignition lock from the steering column.

Appreciate your comments.

Martini (newbe owner of 3 weeks)

 

[jberks]

Martini,
I afraid I'm not going to be much help here, but, the day I swapped my tatty ford for a gleaming 2 year old C class the same thing happened. The ignition barrel collapsed apparently but they smptoms were the same , key went in but wouldn't turn. In my case the dealer did it (only had the car 1 hour!), but they put in a temporary barrel for a week whilst they ordered me up a new one coded to my key. I had the car back within a few hours. I tell you this as I doubt they stripped down the lock assembly but presume they had a way of extracting and swapping barrels without disturbing the rest of the mechanism. May be worth a quick trip to the dealer for a chat and a look at the schematics.

 

[piestore]

HI Martin

As you don't say what year your car is I am asuming that it is a DAS3 Car (not a proper key), if this is the case there are a couple of possible options :-

1 Faulty key, try the spare
2 EIS (switch) faulty as emergency you can disconnect the battery and leave for 5 minutes then reconnect and try, If this works you will need to replace the EIS or the steering lock dependant on fault codes but this hard reboot my work in the short term

good luck

 

[martinv]

Inition key locked off

Folks,

I ended up in the hands of a locksmith who managed to get the ingnition barrel and switch assembly off the steering wheel. So, onto the MB dealer to order the parts and get the locksmith back tomorrow. All in all, a big lesson re MB.

The MB dealer didn't know too much (or pretended at least) about what appears to be a reasonably common problem. I think they just like changing oil etc.. on the newer models, so, nothing too hard or difficult that will dirty up the new workshop. Best part about the whole deal is that I found a service agent that was very forthcoming with information and I dare say HE will be my next service stop.

Hopefully tomorrow, the new lock will be fitted and I'll be back on the road. BUT, the warning is, as so many have mentioned already in the forum - If you ahve a problem with the keylock - get it fixed straight away - this will save lots of agro and $$$$s.

Thanks to all those wonderful MB owners who responded to my plea for information.

Cheers

For down under

Martinv

 

[martinv]

ignition key locked off

Folks,

a quick update. The locksmith fitted a new barrel and lock assembly, but made the following interesting comments

- he had to cut a dummy key to 'break' the barrel to get the lock off - which he did with success - otherwise a major job to unlock the steering lock,

- when the lock did finally come, he had to 'key' the new lock as the barrel that comes with the lock assembly is a generic type requiring a locksmith.

In the end the whole deal cost $566AUS with $350 of that for the lock assembly.

Good Luck

martinv