[bjzman100]

I have read other threads about the tumbler going out. This might be the case in my situation, but I am curious about why the car does not see that I have inserted the key. I have the door open, the key in, and no chime/alarm telling me to take the key. Is this normal when the tumbler goes out or is this another issue. Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Brian

one note to add: I installed a aftermarket radio 2 days ago. Could this some how triggered some anti-theft feature that would lock the ignition down? Just trying to cover all bases. Thanks.

 

[Plutoe]

I have read other threads about the tumbler going out. This might be the case in my situation, but I am curious about why the car does not see that I have inserted the key. I have the door open, the key in, and no chime/alarm telling me to take the key. Is this normal when the tumbler goes out or is this another issue. Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Brian

I believe the reason you don't hear and can't turn anything is that the ignition switch has not recognized the key. WHY---could be low voltage, could be a bad key, could be a bad ignition switch.

I would start with the easy part---the battery. Good luck

 

[renault12ts]

The battery in the key has nothing to do with starting the car. You can start the car with no battery. It will be either a broken coil in the key or it will be the EIS module which is faulty.

 

[bjzman100]

The car battery is fine. The car started/key turned just fine an hr before it locked.
I have a standard blade key with no battery. I checked with the prevoius owner, and they said this happened before. They told me they jiggled the key/steering wheel, and the key just turned over. So that is why I thought it could be the tumbler.

 

[Witek_M]

I have read other threads about the tumbler going out. This might be the case in my situation, but I am curious about why the car does not see that I have inserted the key. I have the door open, the key in, and no chime/alarm telling me to take the key. Is this normal when the tumbler goes out or is this another issue. Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Brian

This is normal. Key in switch does not close until you turn to position 1 first then back to position 0. Fix tumbler issue first.

'96 with V6? Typo or transplant?

 

[bjzman100]

Yes, typo..straight 6. I will have to fix. My local MB dealer will not sell me the parts without having the car there. Is there a way around this. I feel like I can replace the tumbler after reading the threads here.

 

[Witek_M]

This is US wide MB policy not your local dealer.

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/10448/?requestedDocId=10448

 

[bjzman100]

Thanks for the clarification on the parts order. After reading other members posts about the tumbler, I assumed they were able to just order the parts. It looks like I will have to pay a nice tow bill just to order the parts. I offered to show my Title, and Drivers license with no luck.

Well, I evidently spoke to the wrong person at the dealership..they will sell me the part with the proper documents.

 

[Plutoe]

The battery in the key has nothing to do with starting the car. You can start the car with no battery. It will be either a broken coil in the key or it will be the EIS module which is faulty.

You are correct, if you do have batteries in the key and this gent does not, they are not for ignition handshake purposes.

The battery I was referring to was not the key battery but the conventional auto battery typically stowed in MB's under the rear seat.

That battery is the battery that supplies the voltage to the ignition switch coil.

Thank you for letting me clarify.

 

[bjzman100]

Ok, I finally got the key to move a little. One click clockwise. Is that postion one? Any suggestions to get it to move further so I can get to postion 2 so I can remove the tumbler?

 

[Kajtek1]

We do have double threads on the subject?
If you can turn the key a bit, I would suspect the problem is not the tumbler, but the switch assembly that is attached to the shaft. Find the thread about tumbler problems in the stickies and read, read, read.
The MB key blockade is not something average DIY can deal with. Take an estimate from the dealer.

 

[bjzman100]

After carefully reading the stickies and taking my time. I was able to fix this issue. It is not impossible for a DIY kind of person to accomplish this, just be patient and read.