C180 e 1996 ignition key wont turn........ noob help please :)

[CarloSainZ]

hello all

iv got a 1996 C180 e auto, put the key in the ignition, and it wont turn. steering lock is now engaged but this wasnt the problem as the key wouldnt turn before i locked up the steering.

im a total noob on these cars, it never brakes down haha, but im stumped.

tried the spare key, again, it will not turn at all. both keys unlock the doors on the fob no problem.

any help would be much apreciated

cheers

carlos

[CarloSainZ]

just to come back to this,

can anybody tell me the mechanisms inplace that would cause the barrel to lock? is it just a case of a goosed barrel or is there some sort of electronic locking mechanism im unaware of?

also, where is the shift lock override button located? or can i use the cable thats attached top the bottom of the barrel to disengage the lock? car is currently blocking access to a disabled mans property, i need to get it shifted fast.

cheers

carlos

[dominicanomd]

Do you have the electronic ignition system?

[CarloSainZ]

iv no idea mate, single big button on remote. iv managed to get it into neutral by unclipping the gbox lock cable from the barrel. i think its off to the big scrap yard in the sky tomoz, shame, scrapping a good car for the sake of an ignition barrel but hay ho

cheers tho

[sulaco]

If it REALLY IS JUST THE STEERING LOCK, then you have to press the brake and REALLY put a lot of effort into turning the wheel back and forth while you try to turn the key.

If your ignition tumbler has failed (and this is common on older ones) you are, without a doubt, screwed.

have to get it drilled out. it's a tough, messy job for DIY that requires very specific drill and drill bits. or, you can have the car towed to a professional lock shop that can drill it out for you. quote I got was $500.

I elected to instead just swap out the entire steering column with ignition tumbler still attached. after that, I had to know the VIN number of the donor car to get a new ignition key for my car.

[CarloSainZ]

yes mate, its not the steering lock, the key wouldnt turn before i locked the steering up, so yes, i recon its the tumbler
steering cloumn it is then.................... grrrrrrrr hahahahaaha

ok, so wheres the best place to get a new column n barrel? and i dont want me pants pullin down over the price hahahahahahahaa ;D

cheers mate

carl

[GrumpleStache]

Have you tried just getting the key replaced? I had this same thing happen to my 98 c230 and I just got a pre programmed key from houston. The MB stealership wont tell you that they key will come preprogrammed and you dont need the car there. You just need the vin and Proof of ID

[CarloSainZ]

cheers for your replies folks

well, i went to fix the car on saturday, after about an hour of messing about with no luck, i turnd to her n said, 'thats it, im guna have to scrap you' and would u beleive it, the feckin key turned!!!!!!!!!!! iv just finished repairing the barrel now, jobs a good en, good for 250000miles now hahahahaa


couple of side note, good thing to try if the key wont turn atall is to heat the barrel up with what ever you got(hair drier/heatgun), anybody that does have this problem on an auto, and needs to get the car into neutral, dont mess the gear selector up as i did looking for the selector lock release, just unplug the cable from the bottom of the ignition barrel, and dont forget to put your foot on the brake when trying to shift to N.

peace out

carl

[Bernard Rother]

Something similar happened to me as well. Key would not turn at all. Locksmith came out, removed the tumbler, took those little brass pins out with a needle nose pliers, lightly filed them ( removed one totally) cleaned everything and reassembled it. Works so well I can now start the car and still remove the key and leave the car running :-)