steering lock

[sully1a]

Greetings

I have a 1996 c200 mb.

Today I parked and removed the key. The steering locked as usual.
Some time later when I tried to start the car the key went into the ignition but it would not turn. Can anyone help???

Many thanks

 

[television]

Hello and welcome to the forum. The lock barrel will have tp be changed, and this is ordered from MB.

The replacement can only be fitted with the key turned to 1, that is with the steering lock disengaged. By spraying the inside with PTFE it will turn, but get that barrel ordered first,and I can give you the instructions on how to change it

 

[sully1a]

Thanks Malcolm

 

[television]

I have sent you the 2 papers on how to do this,,do not forget turned to key 1 only

 

[n338amg]

Can I jump in here please. I've got a 1993 w124 estate, and exactly the same thing has just happened to me. I've read many of the posts on this forum about this problem, but they all say the same thing.......you have to turn the key to position 1 to remove the barrel. My key won't turn a fraction. so I can't go down that road. I've considered cutting a slot in the steering column extension tube to allow the whole switch to slide out (because you can't depress the detent pin with the switch in position 0 ), but I'm reluctant to do that because the steering lock has operated. Is this a feasible course of action, or is there some other way of removing the barrel without causing damage. I'm going to try getting a duplicate key cut tomorrow in the hope that the more defined edges on a new key will engage (or depress) the plungers, but if anybody else has any other suggestions I would be grateful to hear them, at the moment the car is stuck outside the house with a tankful of fuel going nowhere !!!

 

[Cole@MBS]

Follow the the lock down, remove the 10mm nut, hammer out the rod out, it kills the lock but it sound like its shot anyway!!

 

[television]

Some use an angle grinder to remove the steering lock

 

[n338amg]

Thanks for the reply gents. I was hoping that I would be able to salvage things, as I haven't yet been able to remove the barrel. Does the fact that the steering lock is engaged mean that all is now lost, or is there still some hope of saving things. At the moment the barrel is still in place, I just can't get the key to turn to positition 1

 

[Cole@MBS]

New lock and barrel needed!!

Sorry, its not cheap!!

 

[television]

I take it that you have sprayed it with PTFE a vibrating tool can work held on the key.

All is not lost yet as everything is still in place.. it only gets lost once the barrel is removed, without being turned to 1

 

[n338amg]

Malcolm, I've tried WD40, but after trying that I read on the forum that that's probably the worst thing to do!! What a plank !! Will try the replacement key tomorrow, further updates after that. If anybody has any more suggestions, let me know

 

[television]

Do juggle the steering wheel when trying to turn the key,, this will ease the pressure on the steering lock.

Some have tried for 4 days,,and then it turned

 

[Alex Crow]

some good tips from malcolm there, i like the vibrating tool idea, lateral thinking.

i have removed many of these, the broken part is usually just the barrel so if it could be removed it`s cheaper than the whole assembly. the method is to grind away at the periphery of the black collar until the face of the barrel can be removed (you will probably find it is already sheared), a 1/4 die grinder with carbide bit is ideal but i`m sure it could be done with a cutting disc in a dremmel. then just remove the guts of the barrel till all the levers are out and turn to position 1, insert tool and bingo! i can do one now in less than 45 mins including removing all the swarf! dust sheet needed and masking around instruments etc. biggest thing to go wrong is grinding the dash surround away instead of the lock - be careful!! obviously you will need a new collar as well as the barrel.

 

[television]

some good tips from malcolm there, i like the vibrating tool idea, lateral thinking.

i have removed many of these, the broken part is usually just the barrel so if it could be removed it`s cheaper than the whole assembly. the method is to grind away at the periphery of the black collar until the face of the barrel can be removed (you will probably find it is already sheared), a 1/4 die grinder with carbide bit is ideal but i`m sure it could be done with a cutting disc in a dremmel. then just remove the guts of the barrel till all the levers are out and turn to position 1, insert tool and bingo! i can do one now in less than 45 mins including removing all the swarf! dust sheet needed and masking around instruments etc. biggest thing to go wrong is grinding the dash surround away instead of the lock - be careful!! obviously you will need a new collar as well as the barrel.

Brilliant and why not

 

[n338amg]

Success !!!!!
Went to a local locksmith and had a replacement key cut. Put new key in lock and ...Bingo, turned first time. I'll ring Mercedes and get a replacement barrell to fit my keys, as I'm not convinced this new key is a permanent fix, but at least I can use the car again. Thanks again to all who replied with suggestions and support.

 

[Alex Crow]

i would reccomend you get that new barrel in ASAP, if the key can be turned it is a 5 minute job, if not it would cost far more £££££s

 

[jberks]

you're very lucky - mine went when the car was 3 years old to the day and 30 mins after I collected it up from the forecourt!. This was my first ever merc too. Key just wouldn't turn. 3 techs tried, no joy and she went back to the dealer on a low loader.
The dealer put me a temporary barrel in with another key, whilst they got me a new matching barrel so I assume they can be removed, even if the barrel has completely siezed.

 

[n338amg]

Thats it, new barrel to match my existing key ordered. £66 + VAT, should be here by Tuesday. Lets just hope the old barrell holds out till then !

 

[television]

Pleased that you are doing ok

 

[n338amg]

finally sorted, new barrel fitted to match my existing key and everything working as it should be. As a bonus, the parts man at the local dealers gave me discount on the barrel 'cos he drives a W124 estate as well !