Key Unavailable

[robot]

My keys were stolen. Classic Center says my data card in Germany is "illegible." Can anyone tell me how to get a key/ignition that works? Thanks for guidance. I am not sure about what to do. Dealer seems equally uncertain.

Robert Morris

230sl
Audi A8
1955 Chevy Nomad
2008 Tourag
1992 Acura Legend
Various John Deere
1992 Cadillac Eldorado

[Jack Jones]

The key number is stamped on the door handles and as long as your door locks match your ignition, you should be OK. Just take the key number and your title to a Mercedes dealer and they can order a key.

[Garry]

Unfortunately I think his car is a 230SL so not all matching keys that I believe only started later in the 250 and on to the 280SL
According to Classic Centre part numbers

000 462 03 32 9604  ignition key
000 766 20 06 9323  trunk and glove box
000 766 19 06 9422  door and fuel flap

You need the data card numbers otherwise you may be up for re-barreling the locks.

Garry

[Richard Madison]

Surprised about the Classic Center response.

I thought that the Center could look up the VIN number and retrieve the original data including the key numbers. Maybe the Center has only card images in its database and the one for your cannot be read.

If all else fails, maybe the lock can be removed and taken to a locksmith or Mercedes to poke around for the correct keying...or maybe buying a new set of locks with keys (ouch).

Now this may be a foolish thing to say but that's my style. I never lock the car as it either open with no top or has the soft top on making a key kind of useless to stop a determined trespasser.

Richard M, NYC

[Jordan]

Robot, I can't help you with the ignition key but the key code for the trunk is on the lock itself. If you take apart the lock, pretty simple with a couple of screws, you can remove the lock.  There should be a stamped number on the lock.  I think the trunk lock also matches either the glove box, door or gas cap.  This is a good reminder for everyone to jot down thier keys codes if they don't have them.  They should be on the keys themselves.  Also a good reason to have a second set of keys.

[badali]

The switch from 110 and 111 sedans is the same.  If you can find a parts car with a key it would fit your car.  You could change the lock assembly.

[robot]

Thanks for the ideas about getting a key. The car is a 230sl so the ignition key is unique. It seems the thing to do is to remove the ignition and steering wheel lock assembly. Find the key code on the lock, and have a key made. My grizzled and cranky local locksmith knew exactly how the lock worked, said I needed the key to remove the tumbler mechanism from the front,  and said the key number was stamped on the lock. He said he could make a key if I brought the lock in. When I read the description of how to remove the ignition/steering lock assembly, it seems to describe a step where the key is needed to free the lock, and then remove the assembly.
Has anyone removed the ignition/steering lock mechanism without using a key? It seems that folks agree that the key code is stamped on the lock. Maybe some restorer among us would have faced this problem, and maybe the key is not critical to removal of the mechanism if removed from the back of the dash?  Again, any thoughts on next steps would be helpful. Thanks for the moral support. This is depressing!

[badali]

If you unbolt the ignition lock completely then the assembly should come out from the back even without the key and should cause no damage.  Here is a picture of the switch.  This one has the key but the back piece is broken.

[robot]

Thanks Brad! This is exactly what I needed to know. The pictures are great. It may be my imagination, but I think I might even see a key code stamped on the lock in one of the pictures. Now I know how to proceed.
Robert

[robot]

OK... I had my keyless 1967 230sl towed to my mechanic to have the ignition switch/steering lock removed from the back. My mechanic decided to verify that the data card in Germany was "illegible" as I was told by the dealer, by calling the dealer (same young lady I talked to) and telling her he needed keys made, providing the VIN. He did not mention that I had already made this request. This time the Classics Center was able to produce the legible data card with the key codes, and so the dealer ordered the set of keys (two sets this time.)
The lady at the dealer was embarrassed... the Classic Center had sent her an image of an illegible data card by email, supposedly mine, yet a second inquiry gave a different result.
The keys have not yet arrived. I wonder what chance I have that they will actually work.
Classic Center seems unwilling to answer their phone when called... are they bozos (no offense intended to professional clowns.)?

[Iconic]

No, IMHO they are not "bozos".
I have found them very helpful (many transactions over the last 3+ years).
They provide the Data Card for free if you provide proof of ownership. You might want to get your own copy now that you know it exists (I hope).
Give the Classic Center another try.
I hope those keys work out for you.

[69280sl]

Classic Center seems unwilling to answer their phone when called... are they bozos (no offense intended to professional clowns.)?

The Classic Center is a valued member of the Pagoda family. Calling them bozos after one experience reflects more on you than on the CC.

Gus

[mdsalemi]

Classic Center seems unwilling to answer their phone when called...

As an FYI, they are in California--Western time.  They work normal business hours.  Sometimes the parts guys are busy with other people.  Sometimes they take vacations.  They don't generally work weekends.  They have been there when ever I called them, and if I get voice mail, they call back too.  Nearly anything they can order can also be ordered through your dealer.

[114015]

fuggedaboutit

Agree with Michael, Gus and Iconic, that the Classic Center people are usually by no means 'bozos'!

Of course I can understand your annoyance having lost or being stolen the keys of your car ...
... but as mentioned by the others, a car should always have a second set; so, where is yours?

2nd) It is not unusual that these data cards are no longer legible - that's normal.
I got one from my friend and had quite to "play" around with my simple graphics program in order to render it more readable. So, please ....

3rd) Neimann.
You have got a 230 SL and the steering lock therefore does not have a stamped number but only a (faded) sticker with the number - if you are lucky! However, the older the lock, the lesser the chance it still carries this sticker.
And .... to make things worse, it is not unlikely that your car once got a new lock in its life - lets say at those days when a complete steering lock assembly was way less than 100 $$. In such a case your data car lock number wouldn't work any longer ...

And ... last but not least,

The switch from 110 and 111 sedans is the same.  If you can find a parts car with a key it would fit your car.  You could change the lock assembly.

This can theoretically be done but it iis tricky and no easy task!

Ymos.
This is muuuuch easier with the other 5 locks on your car, which can easily be dismantled and the tumblers be exchanged.

Nevertheless it is well worth to tke apart the other locks because usually their key number _is_ stamped to the unit. And they can be cleaned and greased at the same time.

Good luck, and try to be patient - everything is going to be alright.

Achim

[ja17]

I have a customer   who just ordered a 230SL ignition key from the dealer. He just provided a Vin number. The parts man at the dealer said it was NLA. However the customer told him to put the order in anyway.  The original key arrived at the dealer about three weeks later (from Germany). I suspect they have a little old man in a back room somewhere there in Stutgart, quietly making these old original keys upon request.

[robot]

I'm grateful for the many responses and info about the key/lock and the Classics Center. I hope to have acceptable experiences with them in the future as others seem to have had. Given my experience, I do think it's appropriate to ask about their level of service on this board.
Thanks!
Robert Morris