Key Sticking on R129 SL320 1994

[hairyg]

Hi all

We are returning from a short tour of France and Germany and have also had the soft top replaced while we were in Stuttgart.

The ignition key is getting very difficult to turn and needs a lot of fiddling and shaking to get the car started.

I have read various threads about similar problems and the message seems to be to get the barrel changed ASAP. I tried to get the MB Service Centre to do this at the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart but they (a) wanted to change the entire steering lock and (b) didn't have the parts! On the plus side they were open until 10pm on a Friday night.

We are catching the ferry from Dunkirk to Dover at midday tommorrow (if the Key turns) and would like to know if anybody has an idea where we can get a 'get you home barrel' fitted between Dover and London SE15. The only tools we have with us are the standard roll that comes with the car so I can't tackle fitting it myself.

Richard

 

[television]

The correct barrel is faily easy to fit but has to be ordered for the car. I would get some silicon /PTFE spray and see if it helps, it will not do any harm

 

[hairyg]

Thanks for that Malcolm but The MB Service Centre at Stuttgart have already tried lubricating the lock with something that has not dried out on the key.

That was last Friday and it has deteriorated a lot since then.

We have various commitments in London over the weekend before we return home to Worcestershire and the comfort of our local MB specialist.

It can now take two minutes of fiddling before the key will turn and that is a long time when there is a queue behind you for the petrol pump

Hence I would like to get hold of a temporary barrel while it is still possible to turn the key at all.

 

[kth286]

You have a most urgent problem there which if unattended will cost you lots of expenditure and hassle.

Like the whole of the steering assembly having to be dismantled etc and new parts fitted,
instead of a simple 1 minute lock replacement.

Do get the dealer to fit temporary lock if you need to use the car.

My understanding is that all dealers carry the temporary lock and can fit in a moment.

Very good parts dealer in Boulogne Northern France just down road from calais.

Use your computer to find his phone number to discuss.

 

[hairyg]

Thanks for that.

I'll try the dealer in Dunkirk on my way to the ferry tommorrow. He may have more idea than the gentleman at MB Stuttgart who claimed that they only worked on cars less than 1 year old

 

[television]

Thanks for that.

I'll try the dealer in Dunkirk on my way to the ferry tommorrow. He may have more idea than the gentleman at MB Stuttgart who claimed that they only worked on cars less than 1 year old

That is rubbish and a different sytem,, barrel went out years ago

 

[hairyg]

Yup, I was less than impressed by the product knowledge at MB.

When I said they only work on cars less than 1 year old I meant they are only equipped to service new cars. The size of the service dept. car park suggests they have plenty to do!

Hopefully the Dunkirk dealer will be slightly more knowledgable. At least my French is better than my German and the problem is less intermittent so I may have more success.

If I cobble up an extractor tool out of fence wire is there anything exposed that I could turn with pliers after getting the barrel out? Just as an absolute last resort, I don't really like the idea of not having a lock on the ignition but I do have Sigma alarm/immobilser so it might be better than risking getting stuck.

 

[hairyg]

James in the Parts Department at Mercedes Maidstone was a star and came up with a "get you home" lock barrel. None of the other dealers in Kent had one in stock.

The Service Dept at Maidstone was less helpful but I had arrived at 3:30 pm on a Friday afternoon and they did look very busy.

We only switched the engine off twice between Dover and Stourport in Worcestershire, with one of us staying with the car whenever we needed to stop

The car is now on my own driveway and I am about to try fitting the new barrel.

 

[allan l]

Boulogne M-B Dealer is Gorrias Automobile,(tel 03 21 92 18 24 when calling locally) situated at the southern end of the town. When driving south down the A26 Autoroute you can see it on the right just before junction 28. Junction 28 is the first junction after the start of the Toll, hence if you want to avoid paying for the short journey, come of at J27 and then south on N1.

 

[hairyg]

We got home in one piece and my local independent (Don Jackson) has ordered a new barrel to match the existing keys. 7-10 days wait predicted so I shall have to be patient about showing off the beautiful new soft top that we went to Germany to have fitted.

Just to add to the expenses of the trip we picked up a stone chip smack in the middle of my line of sight as we drove up the M20. At least the insurance covers that!

So KHM is a great company to deal with, MB Service Centre in Stuttgart are a waste of space but they do have a brilliant museum. The Moselle Wine route from Koblenz to Trier is a lovely drive.

Basically we had a good time with just a little stress to keep us on our toes.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions and advice.