keys and locks - primary, secondary and spare?

[br1anstorm]

When I bought my 1990 SEC560 a couple of years ago, it had only one key - which worked doors and ignition, but not the bootlock or cubbybox cover between the seats (ie I assume I only got the secondary key...). So the boot could only be locked or unlocked using the door/vacuum circuit.

Unaware, at the time, of MB's practice of providing primary and secondary keys, I asked my local independent MB garage to help. Instead of getting (as perhaps they should have done) a replacement primary key to fit all the existing and original locks, their solution was to change the bootlid lock barrel, for which of course I now have a separate key which operates that lock only. So my original key still won't open the boot; the new boot lock key doesn't fit any other lock on the car; and I still can't lock the cubby-box.

How can I simplify and sort out this inconvenience? Can I get a replacement bootlid lock barrel which matches the other original-spec locks, and a new key which then fits and operates all the locks (doors, ignition, boot and cubby)? And would this cost the proverbial arm and a leg?

br1anstorm

 

[PINBALL]

Sounds to me like youve got the black plastic circular handle key that was supplied with car when new.
Look in handbook that will give info on all 4 keys that were supplied when new.

When I bought an E220 estate from new in 94 I got all 4 keys, as follows:

2 x flicknife type main car keys.
1 x Emergency round handled key for loss of both above.
1 x all metal key (mostly for magnetised case type holder) to hide on exterior of car should keys be lost while away from home etc.

If no handbook, go into Merc dealer parts dep't with log book or cars VIN No. for them to look up original spec on car, and thier advice is far more informative that the receptionists as thier knowledge is only limited to 5-6 year old cars.

Keep us informed on how you get on.

I bought another master key for my E280 for £25 that came direct from factory 6 month's ago and it fits every lock on the car including cubby & glove box.

Good luck, Keith.

BTW - Did youy ask for old lock back from dealers when they changed it?
If you havn't got it, ask parts to quote for a new 'key with barrel' only, to replace back inside the new one wrongly & stupidly fitted by someone who should have known better, if he really is a Mercedes specialist who only deals with Mercedes & not a dabbler who only deals with top line luxury marque's etc.

 

[Ian Brown]

When I bought my 1990 SEC560 a couple of years ago, it had only one key - which worked doors and ignition, but not the bootlock or cubbybox cover between the seats (ie I assume I only got the secondary key...). So the boot could only be locked or unlocked using the door/vacuum circuit.

Unaware, at the time, of MB's practice of providing primary and secondary keys, I asked my local independent MB garage to help. Instead of getting (as perhaps they should have done) a replacement primary key to fit all the existing and original locks, their solution was to change the bootlid lock barrel, for which of course I now have a separate key which operates that lock only. So my original key still won't open the boot; the new boot lock key doesn't fit any other lock on the car; and I still can't lock the cubby-box.

How can I simplify and sort out this inconvenience? Can I get a replacement bootlid lock barrel which matches the other original-spec locks, and a new key which then fits and operates all the locks (doors, ignition, boot and cubby)? And would this cost the proverbial arm and a leg?

br1anstorm

You should be able to order a boot lock barrel for your car from the Mercedes dealer for the original key it takes roughly 10 days for them to get it you will need your registration document and a utility bill and some other form of id for them to order it for you.

 

[br1anstorm]

Thanks for both replies above. Regrettably I haven't got the 'old' bootlid lock barrel (didn't think to ask the garage to give it back to me). Nor had I realised that there might originally have been as many as 4 keys! Perhaps I should also have mentioned that my car is an EU-spec LHD vehicle - originally ordered from MB Germany by a UK buyer moving to Europe, where he used it for 10 years or so before I then bought it. I got the one key with it (round handle, but wood with MB logo, not black plastic, so must be a secondary or emergency key, or a replacement/re-cut one?). I inherited the service log, but no owner's handbook (got a new English-language handbook from MB UK). So I don't think I have anywhere a record of the serial numbers of the keys. Presumably will have to get new master key(s), and bootlid lock that matches original, from dealer on the basis of the VIN number and proof of my ID. But I wonder if a UK dealer's parts dept will be able to check records of an "export" market vehicle? Guess I'll just have to try it and see...

 

[PINBALL]

Good Luck Br1an

Let us know how you get on.
Keith

 

[br1anstorm]

problem 50% solved...

It's a while since I started this thread... I've been distracted by other priorities: work on house and garden, and quite a bit of foreign travel. But I ought to put in a sitrep.

Decided that as I had only the secondary key (aka chauffeur or valet key) and a non-compatible boot lock and key, the sensible first step was to order a new master key - which I did via the local dealer on production of logbook and ID. Arrived within days, cost £10, and works fine.

Now all I need to do is order a replacement 'original' bootlock barrel which the original keys will open. Then I can dispose of the non-matching lock and key which was fitted to the boot.

Then on to the more serious stuff - like checking the rear window for leaks and rust...

br1anstorm

 

[television]

Rome was not built in a day, well so they say. Nice to hear from you again.

Malcolm

 

[Synch-One]

I am a newbie but because of the query I intend to post I thought I would offer the benefit of my recent experience. I have a 1993 500SL. The central locking to the boot failed and I was left with the chauffeur's key, the master being in my rucksack in the boot. After hours of travelling to Mercedes and chats with locksmiths (all involving quotes of hundreds of pounds and damage along the way) I discovered that the chauffeur's key is deliberately designed not to open the boot and glove-box, but that it is the same as the master, save for the groove down the centre of the key (length-ways). £9.25 later in a sensible lock-smiths and I had a new master key which opened the boot-lock immediately. I was miffed that although the Mercedes technicians looked at my chauffeur's key, none knew the link between it and the master key! Still, I wasted only hours, not hundreds of pounds!

 

[Amphiscian]

Now that, if correct, is interesting. Well done.

 

[br1anstorm]

I am a newbie but because of the query I intend to post I thought I would offer the benefit of my recent experience. I have a 1993 500SL. The central locking to the boot failed and I was left with the chauffeur's key, the master being in my rucksack in the boot. After hours of travelling to Mercedes and chats with locksmiths (all involving quotes of hundreds of pounds and damage along the way) I discovered that the chauffeur's key is deliberately designed not to open the boot and glove-box, but that it is the same as the master, save for the groove down the centre of the key (length-ways). £9.25 later in a sensible lock-smiths and I had a new master key which opened the boot-lock immediately. I was miffed that although the Mercedes technicians looked at my chauffeur's key, none knew the link between it and the master key! Still, I wasted only hours, not hundreds of pounds!

This an interesting - and I think accurate - and hugely useful piece of advice. After I'd got my new "master" key I compared it very carefully with the chauffeur/valet key, and noticed exactly the same thing as Synch-One has described - the key is the same profile but with a lengthways groove down the centre! I find it a little surprising that Mercedes technicians weren't aware of the significance of this.

And the sound you now hear is me grinding my teeth - I'm now more irritated than before that I had the boot-lock changed because I couldn't open it with the sole (chauffeur) key that I then had. And even more hacked off that I didn't get the dealer to give me back the (original) bootlock barrel that he removed. Ah well, bitter experience. Now it's £60+ to get a "new" replacement original bootlock which my new master key will open...

A thought for the forum moderators - is it worth making this a sticky - or putting some other kind of note in the tech section which would help anyone else who might have lost or mislaid their (pre-electronic) master key.

br1anstorm

 

[Amphiscian]

A classic item of MB arcana bubbles up into the public domain! Thank you, and well done, Synch-One and br1anstorm.

 

[br1anstorm]

keys and locks story - the final chapter (well, almost)

Good Luck Br1an

Let us know how you get on.
Keith

For those (Keith/Pinball and Malcolm/Television...) who kindly offered comments and asked for feedback, I can report that the problem I had is more or less solved.

Having got a new master key - see earlier post - I went ahead and ordered a new, original boot lock which would then operate on the same key as all the other locks.

Convenience doesn't come cheap: I decided that it might be wise to ask the dealer to fit it, as I really didn't want to DIY and risk getting it wrong... So the lock (£61), an hour's labour, and VAT and all that, resulted in a total bill of almost £150. Ouch! DaimlerChrysler might be haemorrhaging money, but their dealers are getting very rich.

It's not quite the end of the story, though. The dealer's technician managed to crack the plastic trim panel which runs along the edge of the boot and surrounds the lock fitting. Fair enough, they owned up, and are ordering a replacement which they will fit at their expense. But it reinforces my basic approach - never let anyone you don't know personally do any work on your car...

br1anstorm