Can't turn key!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 278
From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
Can't turn key!!
In my '87 260E, Nothing I do can get the key to turn in the ignition. I have jiggled the steering wheel, the key, sprayed WD40 in there and wiped the key several times, pounded on it, you name it I tried it. The question is: Is there anything I might not have thought of to get the key to turn ONE more time so I can replace the switch? I have heard that it needs to be drilled out etc but I would like to stop short of that. This lockup happened once a couple months ago too but jiggling the wheel freed it up and I didnt think anything of it since my '82 300SD used to do that all the time. Minimum $ to get it fixed at the dealer is $450 and since my new 300SE is on its way (Ebay purchase) I do not want to sink too much more money into the 260. Any thoughts?
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
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From: WIDNES , UK
E320 93
KEY TROUBLE
I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON A 190 E.
I FIXED IT BY THE FOLLOWING
1.SPRAY ABOUT HALF A TIN OF WD40 INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH USING THE STRAW ( I KNOW YOU HAVE USED WD40 BUT I MEAN BLAST THE THING KEEPING A RAG UNDERNEATH TO CATCH THE CRAP)
2.LEAVE FOR A WHILE - LIKE OVERNIGHT IF YOU CAN
3.TAKE THE KEY OFF ITS RING AND HOLD USING A PAIR OF GRIPS AND WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED SLIGHTLY WITH THE LOCK READY TO GO OFF TURN THE KEY gently TO THE NUMBER 1 POSITION. YOU MAY FEEL A BIT OF RESISTANCE BUT JUST TURN UNTILL THE LITTLE PIECE OF BRASS STOPING IT FROM TURNING CLICKS ROUND.DONT BE SCARED OF SNAPPING THE KEY COS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PUT THAT MUCH PRESSURE ON IT AND THE BRASS SHOULD GIVE IN FIRST.
4.IF YOU CAN'T GET IT TO WORK LIKE THAT THEN ITS PLAN B, MAYBE ORDER A NEW KEY USING YOUR VIN AND TRY IT ALL AGAIN.
GOOD LUCK!!
I FIXED IT BY THE FOLLOWING
1.SPRAY ABOUT HALF A TIN OF WD40 INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH USING THE STRAW ( I KNOW YOU HAVE USED WD40 BUT I MEAN BLAST THE THING KEEPING A RAG UNDERNEATH TO CATCH THE CRAP)
2.LEAVE FOR A WHILE - LIKE OVERNIGHT IF YOU CAN
3.TAKE THE KEY OFF ITS RING AND HOLD USING A PAIR OF GRIPS AND WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED SLIGHTLY WITH THE LOCK READY TO GO OFF TURN THE KEY gently TO THE NUMBER 1 POSITION. YOU MAY FEEL A BIT OF RESISTANCE BUT JUST TURN UNTILL THE LITTLE PIECE OF BRASS STOPING IT FROM TURNING CLICKS ROUND.DONT BE SCARED OF SNAPPING THE KEY COS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PUT THAT MUCH PRESSURE ON IT AND THE BRASS SHOULD GIVE IN FIRST.
4.IF YOU CAN'T GET IT TO WORK LIKE THAT THEN ITS PLAN B, MAYBE ORDER A NEW KEY USING YOUR VIN AND TRY IT ALL AGAIN.
GOOD LUCK!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 278
From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! That worked!! That poor car has sat for a month, now I can order the new tumbler and bring it back to life.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: WIDNES , UK
E320 93
just call me the locksmith lol
i am pleased for you that you got it to work - i will let you into a little secret, i only got mine free this morning after scouring the web for solutions and only tried this as a last resort. i felt it only fair to share it with anyone who was stuck cos i know what its like to have a car of the road for something as annoying as this.
in fact i was so pissed of with it i bought an e320 on tuesday just to get around !! the things we do when we are desperate lol
take care and happy motoring
in fact i was so pissed of with it i bought an e320 on tuesday just to get around !! the things we do when we are desperate lol
take care and happy motoring
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 278
From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
Yeah, trying to decide what the heck I want to do with it. I took it for a drive today after starting it with a screwdriver lol. Would be great if I got pulled over for any reason!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 63
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From: Oakville, Ontario Canada
'89 300E
Ignition Tumbler HELP!!
Folks, this thread has a great fix for a stuck key (thanks to Mario500!).
Got me thru the last month of edgy starts. BUT, my key finally broke off in the igntion tumbler two days ago. I learned that you can pop the tumbler out by making a little tool that goes in those two little holes on the outside front diameter of the tumbler. There are retainer spirings in there that the tool is supposed to depress so you can neatly remove the tumbler. I know that at least one such spring exists because I am looking at it right now on the new tumbler I got from the dealer.
Here's my problem. The tool, which I made from the approprate gauge of coat hanger, ain't working. I insert it in the holes, I assume it is depressing the spring or springs, since it does so perfectly when I try it on the new tumbler.
Am I missing something? Maybe I deformed the springs when I messed around with chicken skewers before I made the tool?
Got me thru the last month of edgy starts. BUT, my key finally broke off in the igntion tumbler two days ago. I learned that you can pop the tumbler out by making a little tool that goes in those two little holes on the outside front diameter of the tumbler. There are retainer spirings in there that the tool is supposed to depress so you can neatly remove the tumbler. I know that at least one such spring exists because I am looking at it right now on the new tumbler I got from the dealer.
Here's my problem. The tool, which I made from the approprate gauge of coat hanger, ain't working. I insert it in the holes, I assume it is depressing the spring or springs, since it does so perfectly when I try it on the new tumbler.
Am I missing something? Maybe I deformed the springs when I messed around with chicken skewers before I made the tool?
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,094
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From: Boston
is a German Tank
my car was starting to suffer from the same thing, so bad in fact that I had double parked in a bus stop and got ticketed because I coudn't get the fuking key to turn!
Well long story short, my wife somehow magically made the problem go away! I never bothered to ask her what she did, but I kid-you-not it has never occured since!
Well long story short, my wife somehow magically made the problem go away! I never bothered to ask her what she did, but I kid-you-not it has never occured since!
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: A.C New Jersey
1987 300E
i dont kno if we have thde same problem my key turns but it \wont start like the gauges come on but it wiont crank at all it comes and goes very werid but never happens after within like a half hour of shutting it off for some reason whenever this happens it starts every single time/ i mean every single time after i put it in neutral i was thinkin boiut getting it looked at but i firgured its like have a hidden killswitch so no one can steal ur car so i left it the way it is lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
i dont kno if we have thde same problem my key turns but it \wont start like the gauges come on but it wiont crank at all it comes and goes very werid but never happens after within like a half hour of shutting it off for some reason whenever this happens it starts every single time/ i mean every single time after i put it in neutral i was thinkin boiut getting it looked at but i firgured its like have a hidden killswitch so no one can steal ur car so i left it the way it is lol
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: A.C New Jersey
1987 300E
lmao at first i could understand what you were sayin i was like wtf is a period i got the neutral saftey switch good point by the way but afterward i picked up n no i dont believe in periods or commas
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
Anyone know where the neutral safety switch is located? I think it's on the side of the tranny. That would make sense.
Don't believe in punctuation? LMAO! That's a unique thing not to believe in. Soon I'm thinking the English language will be reduced to a series of 3-letter acronyms. BTW spmbass, I'm not making fun of you; I just think it's funny. 
Don't believe in punctuation? LMAO! That's a unique thing not to believe in. Soon I'm thinking the English language will be reduced to a series of 3-letter acronyms. BTW spmbass, I'm not making fun of you; I just think it's funny.
