Xctguy

I have a 2003 e500, owned it 10 yrs.....as of today the 2 sets of factory key fobs don't unlock or lock the car, the fobs have good batteries. The car locked itself, after I drove it a while and both of the manual keys DO NOT unlock the car, or the trunk. They worked before today. I spent an hour using both fobs, and the manual keys. It seems like the car had some sort of issue where it went on to locked down mode. Now, I cannot get into the car, or open it to check for a fuse or other issue. Car batteries are not the issue, replaced both recently. Any suggestions?? I might have to break a window !!

cMazara

Use the mechanical key, insert it into the drivers side, turn the key when it’s inside the keyhole, open the door, turn on the car, test the car. Maybe and central gateway? Have to put xentry to proper diagnose.

Xctguy

Sounds like a good idea, but both of my mechanical keys, once inserted "cannot open the lock cylinder, or trunk" , they do turn. PS----they worked before.

cMazara

Strange, if they turn then you can see the drivers side door pin moving up.. kinda stupid to ask, but you tried turning to the other side? ex. clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Xctguy

I can turn the key, but driver's side pin is NOT moving up and down, its stuck in the down position. There is no lock on the passenger side.

cMazara

Seems like your anti-theft system locked you out, try an air wedge instead of breaking the window then.
It's cheaper than towing the car to the dealer.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/air-wedge
there's a couple of vids on youtube on how to.

kajtek1

If you had the car MB maintained in last year, you do qualify for free MB assistance.Even if you have to pay them, that might work cheaper than butchered door wedging.
This is the first time I hear the blade key will not turn the lock as it was always mechanical connection that no electronics could lock.
But new technology surprised me in the past. ..

Russell Ormerod

I have seen this often where mechanical keys does not work. Probably caused by non use. You only know about it when you really need it. Only way now is to wedge the top of the door open and use a wire to pull on the handle

kajtek1

Mechanical tumblers do get frozen with no use and usually takes some time to exercise them with WD40, but OP says his tumblers turn, but will not unlock. That would indicate broken rods, or MB changed the design in this model.

Russell Ormerod

Hmmm true what u say. I have never looked deeper into the issue. One question. Does the key turn all the way.

Xctguy

Yes, my key does turn, and the lock cylinders are clean. I especially find it strange that I cannot open the trunk, with my 2 mechanical keys.

kajtek1

Make sure you pull the lid and door hard when you turn the tumbler. Could be the seals holding?

Xctguy

Absolutely not the seals holding the trunk closed, lock cylinder turns with key.

Russell Ormerod

Make sure u pull the trunk handle while holding the key turned

cMazara

Was about to say the same thing, on some models you can fold the rear seats, if you open the trunk there's two latches that folds the rear seats.

Russell Ormerod

Okay I checked a few cars today. What you need to do is this. Turn the mechanical key to the horizontal position. Knob inside will not lift. Pull the door handle all the way out. (Knob still does not lift) now you need to pull the door handle a few mm further. This action will cause the door knob to raise and unlock.

cMazara

I use the mechanical key everyday and the inside pin always moves with the key, up or down without pulling the handle. Maybe that’s when you don’t use it for years and it’s kinda stuck.

Xctguy

UPDATE: I've managed to get into the car and the locking system is ok now. I still can't believe that both of my mechanical keys don't work on my door lock, and trunk lid, they turn but nothing else. I've had this car for 10 yrs. and the keys worked before this.

cMazara

so... how did you get in?


also. Have you tried the mechanical key like we said on the other posts? It’s good to have it fixed it it happens again.

Xctguy

I used screwdrivers to separate the door, and tape (so I wouldn't scratch the doors) and managed to get a wire hanger to lift up the rear door lock; let me tell you MB makes a great tight seal and very hard to get into those doors. I'm looking to have the lock issues fixed. I cannot go through this again!! What get me is the keys worked before.

cMazara

those doors are stiff as hell. Happened to me and scratched the pillar. Had to do a paint job cause of that.

Xctguy

I was very careful and used painters tape, thus I avoided big damage to the pillar, just a tiny little mark that I touched up.

Xctguy

[QUOTE=Russell Ormerod;7298495]Make sure u pull the trunk handle while holding the key turned[/QUOTE

YES!! You are correct. The trick is to pull the handle "WHILE" you turn the key, its the two actions at the same time.

Russell Ormerod

Some cars the pins do lift when turning the key, others don't. I will test further but I did these tests on a w164 and 169 I will test on a 203 tomorrow

VII

It is common for the door handle key lock to not work when you need it because.... a tech miss assembled it last time the door needed work....

The door mechanism is all mechanical on the w211 (the electronics can't lock you out). But there is a rod that connects the lock cylinder to the handle that is difficult to correctly re engage after removing the handle.

If you your car has had any work done on the door, try your key, you might be surprised