Need help steering is locked key won't turn

[desire1nz]

Can somebody please help I've tryed almost all I can someone came nnd plugged in a diagnostic cleared the codes and still the key won't work I've changed ithe battery in the car changed the key fob battery's rite nowI am going to chek fuses with a multimeter and relays I figure it. Can't be the fob cause it unlocks and locks the doors haven't been able to o even wind up the wndows up in over a wk im a female and im usually pretty good with cars but this has me going mental haven't been able to get kids to school all WK I need help the codes came up wher mainly stored codes but iginition module come up but he seems to think it is a fuse or relay someone pls help there is no noise wen i nsert key usually makes noise but it just won't turn or steering won't unlock .lights work and stereo and it ²
2001 c200 kompressor ive never had any other problems except a few wks before the SRS was coming up on dash and it would go into a weird mode couldn't use windows or indicators etc then I took off negativecable for 30mins and it would snap out of it someone must nowats going on please help

 

[V6Matty]

ESL failed is a common problem, you can try giving the steering column a bash while putting the key in and out in the hope it will release, but in reality it need replacing

 

[MBDevotee]

I had this once and actually all it needed was the key in socket, then a really hard wrench left / right / left right - the steering lock was under pressure because I guess the wheels had put the pressure on it.

Try it - costs nothing....

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

What year of C200 are we talking here?

Does sound like a steering lock failure.

 

[desire1nz]

Hi guys it's a 2001ç200 kompressor but shes never had any problems.ande wen they say give it a bash with wat u reakon?

 

[desire1nz]

What year of C200 are we talking here?

Does sound like a steering lock failure.

2001

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

2001

Unlikely to be a steering lock failure on that year.

You need to check the EIS switch actual values (may be listed as EZL) and look at the drive authorisation path (your scanner may not be capable of this).

From memory on Xentry it will list:

Key: - Enabled/Authorised
Engine: Enabled/Authourised
ESL - Enabled/Authourised
Start Enable - Yes
Terminal 15 - On
Terminal 30 - On
Terminal 85 - On

If you take any of those values away or it doesnt see an enabled function the ignition lock will not turn. The power for the EIS comes from the prefuse box so it should see terminal 15 as soon as you open the car. If you are unable to do the above, then you may need to seek the help of a Merc specialist to help.

It could be that the key has failed (It will still unlock the car if it has as the central locking part of the key is seperate to the EIS request). The fact the car unlocks/locks says that the EIS is still capable of sending/recieving signals. When that fails the car wont even respond to a central locking request.

Do you have a spare key?

 

[MrShades]

This is if you have key like shown on the picture below:


If your car is a 2001 do you have a regular mechanical key like on the picture below? Not the electronic smart key.

The problem is the the key and ignition lock gets worn and you end up with a key you can not turn in the ignition lock. This happened to my SL R129.
I am sure i was sitting in the car trying to turn the key for hours but with no luck at all.

If your car have automatic transmission there is also a wire connected to the ignition lock and there is a pin that comes from the wire that snaps in place on the lock when the gear lever is set in park.

This have been a common problem on Mecedes E class W124 and also Mercedes SL R129.

On my Mercedes SL R129 i had to drill out the old igintion lock/thumbler so i was able to place a big flat screwdriver onside to turn the ignition lock using the screwdriver.
But when i tried to turn the scredriwer that did not work either.

The problem on my SL R129 was not the ignition lock but the steering wheel lock.

So i had to replace both the ignition lock and key (you get 2 keys with a new ignition lock) and also relace the steering wheel lock.

So to sum up:
The problem is that the ignition lock and also the key gets worn and that ends up with a key that is impossible to turn in the ignition lock.
Often many have had a locksmith to make a key and these keys are not made of steel but brass or something that gets worn faster.
So use the original steel key if you have it.
The problem can also be the steering wheel lock.

The steering wheel lock can also be the problem but i would think it is your steering lock and key that is worn.

You can get aftermarked lock and keys that is not to expensive but the key will only fit the ignition lock on your car.

If you want a new lock and key that fit the rest of the car you will have to order from Mercedes and they know how to get paid!

I suppose you can get the ignition lock out without having to drill it out as i had to

If you need to drill out the ignition lock be sure to mask several layers of masking tape around the ignition lock because the drill will slip and you will make marks on the steering column.

This is only if you have a mechanical key like shown on the picture

 

[desire1nz]

Unlikely to be a steering lock failure on that year.

You need to check the EIS switch actual values (may be listed as EZL) and look at the drive authorisation path (your scanner may not be capable of this).

From memory on Xentry it will list:

Key: - Enabled/Authorised
Engine: Enabled/Authourised
ESL - Enabled/Authourised
Start Enable - Yes
Terminal 15 - On
Terminal 30 - On
Terminal 85 - On

If you take any of those values away or it doesnt see an enabled function the ignition lock will not turn. The power for the EIS comes from the prefuse box so it should see terminal 15 as soon as you open the car. If you are unable to do the above, then you may need to seek the help of a Merc specialist to help.

It could be that the key has failed (It will still unlock the car if it has as the central locking part of the key is seperate to the EIS request). The fact the car unlocks/locks says that the EIS is still capable of sending/recieving signals. When that fails the car wont even respond to a central locking request.

Do you have a spare key?

No spare key

 

[MrShades]

desire1nz. Do you have a mechanical key or a smart key?​

From reading what you have written i suppose you have a smart key so try to get to a Mercedes dealer and have them to test your key

 

[desire1nz]

desire1nz. Do you have a mechanical key or a smart key?​

From reading what you have written i suppose you have a smart key so try to get to a Mercedes dealer and have them to test your key

Ok thank u a friend tested the Infeared an said that was working but ok I will do

 

[desire1nz]

No spare key

Wat is a precise box and also wat is terminal 15

 

[desire1nz]

Ok thank u a friend tested the Infeared an said that was working but ok I will do

The push in key slot with in
ferred and u can pull out little steel key from the side of the key to unlock doors and boot

 

[desire1nz]

desire1nz. Do you have a mechanical key or a smart key?​

From reading what you have written i suppose you have a smart key so try to get to a Mercedes dealer and have them to test your key

Smart key

 

[desire1nz]

I had this once and actually all it needed was the key in socket, then a really hard wrench left / right / left right - the steering lock was under pressure because I guess the wheels had put the pressure on it.

Try it - costs nothing....

Tryed all that

 

[desire1nz]

So the diagnostic is coming up saying ignition module
vault so does that mean I need to take the ignition bit out to be fixed and Wen it is fixed the steering should or will unlock and start as normal or do I have to do the steering wheel thing as well as esl is it ?I'm a solo mum and with the car not starting and steering not working I can't even tow it to anywhere and I will have to go on tow truck which is going to cost a fortune and to get a proper Mercedes mechanic to come is. Major call out fee plus per hour so I haven't been quoted but I can only imagine if I can do myself or watch something on you tube I can do to save money or follow any instructions I'm pretty good at mechanics can someone help me please

 

[desire1nz]

The push in key slot with in
ferred and u can pull out little steel key from the side of the key to unlock doors and boot

My key is smart

 

[V6Matty]

Where are you based and maybe someone here can recommend a local Indy that can potentially come and have a look at it for you,

 

[Blobcat]

Where are you based and maybe someone here can recommend a local Indy that can potentially come and have a look at it for you,

 

[desire1nz]

Hi guys still nothing and it's still parked up I'm based in New Zealand auckland west auckland te atatu