Key not turning in ignition

[Hibbo]

When I got in my car (w124) after work today, the key would not turn at all. It felt a bit like it does when the steering lock is caught, but the steering lock wasn't engaged. Much fiddling resulted in nothing, so I engaged the steering lock and continued faffing whilst rocking the steering wheel. It then turned, but by that point the immobiliser had timedout and I instinctively removed the key to set it again!

Another faffing session gave no joy, the key refused to budge and the steering lock stayed engaged.

I have never had any problems with a sticky barrel before.

They key doesn't look particularly worn, I will try the spare key tomorrow (which looks slightly sharper). I didn't try the key in the door/boot lock as I saw a mate drive past and jumped him for a lift home.

Is this a common problem? Will I need a new ignition barrel and key? How much from a breakers? How easy to change?

Baals.

 

[moonrabbit]

Same's just happened to little old me! I went to the locksmiths and got some 'stuff' to flush the lock out with but to no avail. Have rung the locksmiths mate who has a mobile lock business fitting locks to cars who's keys have been lost mainly but also this problem. He's about 300 quid cheaper than taking it to a garage. He also told me the job is quite easy to do - basically if you can get it out, you can get it in. The barrel that is. Part is about 60 from Mercedes and takes about 2 days to come. Hope this helps. I nearly got stuck at work today! Quite scary thought.

Moonrabbit

 

[television]

Bolide posted on this earlier this week and said that once they start change it quickly as it will soon stick completely. This has been covered a few times.

£65 for the barrel

 

[Hibbo]

Bolide posted on this earlier this week and said that once they start change it quickly as it will soon stick completely. This has been covered a few times.

£65 for the barrel

Cheers Malcolm, I'll do me a search...

 

[Hibbo]

Just read some other threads on the subject!

however they all said that they had trouble getting the key IN & OUT, mine goes in and out fine, it just won't turn.

Can it really have failed so spectacularly without ANY prior warning?

Suffice to say, if I get the key to turn it is staying in position 1!

 

[jberks]

the one on my 202 did the same (on the day I bought it!!) . Key went in and out just fine but just wouldn't turn. Steering lock, gear shift, brake pedal - nothing made any difference.
One low loader and a loan car later, and apparently the barrel had collapsed internally. They put a loan barrel in until the matched one came from MB and I was on my way. Took a couple of weeks for the proper barrel to arrive.

 

[Hibbo]

Right, I've managed to get the (spare) key to turn, and I've made a couple of removal tools (complete with tapered ends) but can't get the thing to budge!

With the key at position one, I can feel the tool 'engage' something when it goes in, but no amount of swearing, wiggling, pulling and more swearing has done anything. I have removed the kick panel so I can pull on the barrel itself as well as the key, all whilst keeping pressure on the extractor tool.

Bugger.

 

[television]

Hibbo, disconnect battery as key must be in key 2 to remove the lock completr.

 

[Hibbo]

Hibbo, disconnect battery as key must be in key 2 to remove the lock completr.

I thought it maybe something like that, BUT the key won't turn past 1 with the extractor in, and the extractor won't go in with the key in anything but 1!

PS. Will disconnecting the battery give me any probs with the alarm or immobiliser?

 

[television]

The idea is to disable the steering lock which hold it all under pressure, the battery being off was only to stop it going flat but yours is diesel

 

[Hibbo]

Please can someone help me with this! Is it just a case of wriggle and wriggle and wriggle?

I bought this car (at great expense) as I thought it was one of the best Mercs ever built, but at the moment a sixty quid ignition barrel is holding it to ransom. If I can't get this barrel out my car is next to useless.

Come on lads (and lasses)!

 

[television]

Please can someone help me with this! Is it just a case of wriggle and wriggle and wriggle?

I bought this car (at great expense) as I thought it was one of the best Mercs ever built, but at the moment a sixty quid ignition barrel is holding it to ransom. If I can't get this barrel out my car is next to useless.

Come on lads (and lasses)!

I will find you all known info later in the day, I think that I am right in saying that if you cant release the steering lock (key 2) then the steering wheel has to come off.

I will post back

 

[television]

Hibbo please Email me m.watford@homecal.co.uk

I will send you the two papers.

 

[television]

Hibbo, 2 pages sent.

This process is featured in this months MB club magazine that is in the MB showrooms, I read it yesterday, whilst having my free coffee and biscuits. That article said key 2 the MB workshop says key 1

It also said that the 107 only cost £37 to replace

 

[Hibbo]

Thanks for the info Malcolm, and thanks to Ian B Walker - I'll have another crack tomorrow.

 

[Hibbo]

It's out!

Finally got the barrel out this morning. However it seems to turn quite happily in my hand. The ignition switch also turns quite happily. I'm a bit worried that a new barrel might not cure it?

I also need to decide whether to get a secondhand barrel (cheaper but different keys and could go again) and splash out on a new one (same keys but expensive).

At least it's out! (I used a 1.6mm TIG rod to make the removal tool)

 

[television]

These barrels are funny things, as bolide says and others, once they go they are pigs to get out. If you can go to it,get a new one

 

[Hibbo]

Just ordered a new one from the stealer, 65quid +vat, and they'd only give me a piddling 5% discount! 5 working days to arrive, so MAY have it by Saturday, here's hoping.

 

[Hibbo]

Got a car that needs a key to start it!

Not just a screwdriver! Too slow tea-leaves!

Albeit left 76quid lighter

Glad I splashed out on a new one though, the locks are on the same key and with my luck a secondhand one would've seized in a month!

It was a piece of pee to fit the new one. Thanks to all who helped, especially Malcolm and Ian B Walker!

Now to do something with the oil breather...