Key help for new owner....
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
96 S320
Key help for new owner....
Hello all I am new to the forum as I have just purchased a 96 s320 from my brother who is a small car dealer. I got a great deal because he has an ignition issue and does not feel like fooling with it. Just for reference this is my third MB as I have had an 88 300E and 96 E320 before.
Anyway the issue is this....He buys the car but it does not have a key. So he orders the factory key but when trying to use it he realizes that the lock cylinder has been changed so it will not fit. So his nut case workers drill the key hole and use a screw driver and start the car. So he has them buy a used ignition for the car with key from a used model. They install it and the alarm light (not sound) blink red and green and will not let the car start.
Now I know that may be because it is not the OEM key but what I am wondering do you think I can simply swap the brains behind the key with the new key and the car will start?
Yes...No? Or is there a way I can disable the alarm system? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Anyway the issue is this....He buys the car but it does not have a key. So he orders the factory key but when trying to use it he realizes that the lock cylinder has been changed so it will not fit. So his nut case workers drill the key hole and use a screw driver and start the car. So he has them buy a used ignition for the car with key from a used model. They install it and the alarm light (not sound) blink red and green and will not let the car start.
Now I know that may be because it is not the OEM key but what I am wondering do you think I can simply swap the brains behind the key with the new key and the car will start?
Yes...No? Or is there a way I can disable the alarm system? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
96 S320
Ok it is obvious that the key and lock that came from the donor car are the issue because because each key matches that particular model. So just in case some one replies I need to know how do I get a ignition cylinder that matches the factory key that I ordered and got or can I just if possible swap the key from the donor car onto the remote base of the factory key unit and use the donor cars lock cylinder?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: norcal
1996 S320 SWB, 1998 S600
I hope someone who knows more about your dilema than I do can help.
Welcome back to Mercedes.
My 96 S320 is one sweet ride, and my wife loves it to.
My lock cylinder was sticky, so I added some graphite to the mechanism. Mercedes told me it was one of their "special fixes", as it deals with the anti-theft systems. For now I'm happy the inevitable hasn't happened yet, and it's still operating. Good Luck
Welcome back to Mercedes.
My 96 S320 is one sweet ride, and my wife loves it to.
My lock cylinder was sticky, so I added some graphite to the mechanism. Mercedes told me it was one of their "special fixes", as it deals with the anti-theft systems. For now I'm happy the inevitable hasn't happened yet, and it's still operating. Good Luck
