Key broken in barrel...how can I get auto into D?????

[Vlad]

I have a 1994 W124 E220....the key snapped in the starter barrel yesterday and that now means that I am unable to move the car as I can't shift the gear selector out of Park.

Any ideas on how I can shift the gear selector into Drive so that I can move the car forwards on my drive, as currently the back wheels are locked.

Many thanks

Vlad

 

[Howard]

If all else fails Vlad , could you get a jack under the diff , release the brakes and very gently roll it forward on the jack ...

H & S notwithstanding of course ...

 

[Vlad]

Good idea....problem I have is 1) I have a gravel drive, so the trolley jack is going to dig in and secondly its on a slight incline......aaarrrggghhhh!

 

[mr. shr]

I have a 1994 W124 E220....the key snapped in the starter barrel yesterday and that now means that I am unable to move the car as I can't shift the gear selector out of Park.

Any ideas on how I can shift the gear selector into Drive so that I can move the car forwards on my drive, as currently the back wheels are locked.

Many thanks

Vlad

I believe there's a method of moving the lever manually. Should be detailed in you manual.

Think you need to remove the gear lever surround and manually push something in there that will release the lock.

If you don't have a manual, someone here will be able to tell exactly what to do.

 

[Dieselman]

Pull the bowden cable where it is attached to the brake pedal.

 

[Vlad]

Update.....posting on the MB Owners Club has solved the problem and this could be a handy tip to others caught in the same situation.

With the trim off around the key barrel.....just pings off with a screw driver behind the plastic, you can then see a cable going into the left hand side of the steering lock. Undoes with a 14mm spanner. Once the cable is released you just put your thumb on the inner cable and push and at the same time press the brake pedal and you can then shift the gear selector into Drive....job took less than 2 minutes.

Car is now mobile......next question anybody know how to break the steering lock. Car is off to get scrapped so I'm not worried about damaging it!!!!

Many thanks to one and all.

 

[television]

Be very careful here with the steering lock,if the barrel is removed incorrectly once the lock has engaged there is no Way to release it,, this means a new upper steering column

 

[MBManInKen]

Car is off to get scrapped so I'm not worried about damaging it!!!!

Wow, not too quickly! Imadoofus might want to swap it!

 

[Vlad]

Be very careful here with the steering lock,if the barrel is removed incorrectly once the lock has engaged there is no Way to release it,, this means a new upper steering column

Malcolm its already locked and as its off to be scrapped I'm not too worried about damage....you should see the rest of the car!!!!

Just want to release the steering lock, by force if need be, to enable it to be dragged up onto the back of a trailer/truck when they come to pick it up.

 

[television]

I do not think that you wil break the lock, it would almost be easier to undo the nut on the drop arm and manipulate the wheels by hand or with a iron bar

 

[Howard]

6 foot scaffold tube clamped on the the wheel and out the door ...

Should be fun ...

 

[Vlad]

You could be onto something there Howard !!!.....

Here's a photo of the old girl after my girls had had some fun with spray cans after school !!!!

 

[Howard]

Whats that front wing like ?

Any rust ?

 

[Vlad]

Big hole in the front offside one and non on the nearside...do you fancy a multi coloured one then?????LOL

 

[Satch]

Depends on how "broken" the key is, how far down and type of lock but sometimes possible to pull out a broken key by getting a very fine metal drill bit, insert it into the lock turning it clockwise as you insert. Idea is that with luck it will thread onto part of the key and you can then pull it out. Squirt in WD40 first.

That is of course the theory. Risk is you end up with a broken drill bit jammed in along with the key!

 

[Sp!ke]

Its quite easy to pop the barrel off the ignition lock of a W124.

This will allow you to turn the lock using a screwdriver or until your replacement barrell arrives, which is then pretty much a push fit.

I wrote up a brief 'how to' on this when I had the problem ages ago but for obvious reasons I didnt post it in public.

I'll send you a PM Vlad.

 

[jaymanek]

yes but not if the key is broken surely as it has to be in position 1

 

[Sp!ke]

If the key is broken in position 1 the job is real easy. (2 minutes)

If not, its a little longer but still relatively easy.

 

[television]

Jay is correct and MB warn you that if the barrel is withdrawn with the key not in " 1 " then you cannot release the lock

 

[Sp!ke]

Jay is correct and MB warn you that if the barrel is withdrawn with the key not in " 1 " then you cannot release the lock

Thats not entirely correct in my view. Basically you cant remove the lock *unless* its in position one as you cant see the holes in which to insert the release pins to release the lock.

You just need to get to the point in which you can see the holes.