Usually when I insert my key into the ignition lock I hear a “ZIP” sort of sound and the electric steering lock let’s go. A couple of times in the last week this has not been the case, I’ve had to remove and reinsert the key a couple of times for it to work. It’s one of those plastic keys with a retractable metal element which is not usually used. Anyone had similar experiences, is it going to fail on me? Cheers.
In approx. 16 months of W202 ownership (spread accross 2 cars <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>   , this has happened to me once maybe twice. I presume that whatever happens, doesn't if the key doesn't seat correctly.
Thank's Graham, that was quick. Maybe I should take the other 7 keys, and Swiss Army Knife off the keyring then <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
Ive only had it happen once , when i tried to start my car with dads keys ... It was late <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Maybe I should take the other 7 keys, and Swiss Army Knife off the keyring then </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Yes. Never a good idea too have excess weight on the ignition key.
I've got the old fashioned SL key It weighs quite a bit on its own - and theres no loop to put it on a keyring anyway ! Mark
Ive had it happen to me before, worked out that the key had broken, and the laser or whatever, was not pointing straight, so when inserted into the ignition, would not release the steering lock, had to purchase new key... <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
It pays to clean the end of your key stick and the round infered window of your ignition lock with window cleaner once every couple off months, a cotton bud moistened with window cleaner is best for the ing' lock. Worth remembering also, that battery's in the ignition stick are not used with the ignition switch, they are purely for the remote un/locking. This is why the emergency flat (wallet) key has no battery's. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
Did you know ... I was messing about and the flat emergency key starts the car too <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fuzzer @ Oct. 11 2002,09:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Did you know ... I was messing about and the flat emergency key starts the car too <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Well I didn't know that. I couldn't resist nipping outside to have a go though, and your absolutely right <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbs:'>
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fuzzer @ Oct. 11 2002,09:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Did you know ... I was messing about and the flat emergency key starts the car too <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> That's what I meant when I said the battery's are not required to actually start the car, they are purely for the central locking. Hence why the "wallet" key is flat, it has no battery's <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> As displayed at the GTG in August <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>