Couldn't turn key in ignition

[uumode]

the other day I couldn't turn the key in the ignition to start the car, it was almost as if it was on 'steering lock' (only MB don't have manual steering lock)... and electronic steering lock should have disengaged when I put the key in.

So I had to pull the key out and reinsert it, and this time the key rotated.

Any reason why it might have locked the position of my key?

 

[Thmsshaun]

the other day I couldn't turn the key in the ignition to start the car, it was almost as if it was on 'steering lock' (only MB don't have manual steering lock)... and electronic steering lock should have disengaged when I put the key in.

So I had to pull the key out and reinsert it, and this time the key rotated.

Any reason why it might have locked the position of my key?

I had a similar problem only my Key never turned again. £158 quid from a a specialist for complete new barrell and and whatever other parts needed. Get it checked out before your too late. A new barrel to key is only about £68 and a 2 minute job.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Happens to me once in a while - maybe half a dozen times in 3 or so years of ownership.

 

[sportyreptile]

I experienced the same thing at a petrol station, jumped back in the car after filling up, couldn't turn the key.
Kept trying inserting the key, one way then the other - had visions of being stranded, when eventually it turned and started.

Had a chat with my local independant - he recommended a new ignition barrel to fit my key at about £60 (MB keep records of keys against chassis numbers - nice touch).

Also needed a new ignition cover at about £6 'cos the old broke removing it.

 

[andy_k]

the smart money goes on replacing it as soon as it plays up, it may last for another 5 years, it may last 5 days.

I'll echo what was said above, whilst it still works removal takes seconds (with the right tool) but if it fails completely it's a big and expensive job

Andy

 

[marcos]

Happens to me once in a while - maybe half a dozen times in 3 or so years of ownership.

Exactly the same on my old C240. Just every now and then.

 

[pluggers]

My dad had this on his car not long ago,He was told by the RAC quy "that this is the first symtom of a dodgy main battery"( not the remote ) Thats why he had a new battery fitted. Might be worth while just checking the elecrolite levels first?

 

[uumode]

My dad had this on his car not long ago,He was told by the RAC quy "that this is the first symtom of a dodgy main battery"( not the remote ) Thats why he had a new battery fitted. Might be worth while just checking the elecrolite levels first?

I just had a main dealer A service on Thursday, so should have been checked?
- they seemed to pick up split rear brake pipes, blown indicator bulb and front wishbone component that's on it's last legs

and they supposedly replaced the battery in the key because they said it was going.. thinking about it, maybe the key didn't turn for them and that's why they said the battery needed changing... I'll have to ask them tomorrow.

 

[Shude]

Happens to me once in a while - maybe half a dozen times in 3 or so years of ownership.

It's happened once or twice to me in about the same length of time.

I think if you're a tiny bit too quick to turn the "key" after inserting it, the bit of hardware that checks it gets confused or thinks it's a duffer and doesn't let you do anything. I think it needs a fraction of a second to do it's stuff before you can turn it.

 

[miro]

I just had a main dealer A service on Thursday, so should have been checked?
- they seemed to pick up split rear brake pipes, blown indicator bulb and front wishbone component that's on it's last legs

and they supposedly replaced the battery in the key because they said it was going.. thinking about it, maybe the key didn't turn for them and that's why they said the battery needed changing... I'll have to ask them tomorrow.

Happens to me when I am sitting in the car doing some mods and I forget to pull the key out. It wont turn if it sits in the barrel for ages. (just an aside to your problem).

 

[Satch]

If you had asked my idiot brother in law for advice on this topic a couple of years back he might have told you to get some pliers out and give the key a really, really good twist. And then spend the next 4 hours in a wet car park contemplating your folly whilst listening to your wife moan and kids bicker, all the time praying for the RAC Recovery wagon to turn up.

I

 

[Brian WH]

My dad had this on his car not long ago,He was told by the RAC quy "that this is the first symtom of a dodgy main battery"( not the remote ) Thats why he had a new battery fitted. Might be worth while just checking the elecrolite levels first?

A typical RAC trick - Sell him a new battery regardless of the need. They used to get high commission on this racket, supposed to have stopped now.

Getting back to the main issue here, the main battery will not affect the ignition key??

The ignition key battery might affect it but it is more likely to be a dodgy barrel and will need replacing some time soon.

 

[jaymanek]

If this is the ELCODE (the electronic key, no metal blade) system, this does occasionaly happen if the battery is getting low. Dont worry too much about it....

 

[uumode]

If this is the ELCODE (the electronic key, no metal blade) system, this does occasionaly happen if the battery is getting low. Dont worry too much about it....

which battery?

 

[pluggers]

A typical RAC trick - Sell him a new battery regardless of the need. They used to get high commission on this racket, supposed to have stopped now.

Getting back to the main issue here, the main battery will not affect the ignition key??

A downer on that brian m8, A couple of days later he took the battery for test at a motor factors who put a tester across the battery, they said it was on the poorly side.The best bit was when he went to leave cus he wasn happy with the price his car wouldn't start so he had to buy it ha ha.

 

[jaymanek]

Key Battery...