Merc E240 Key - Ignition

Milk & Honey

I have been driving an 01 Merc E240. Recently I have noticed that it takes a few minutes for the ignition to respond to the key. When I put the key in the ignition behaves as it is stuck. After a minute or two or three I hear a noise and then the key will turn and start the car. Is the problem with the key or the ignition?

vw4life

try your spare key first,if you dont have a spare key,get one.

Milk & Honey

Thanks. I do not have a spare key. They are difficult to obtain for this kind of car. The problem is now getting worse. Maybe it is the ignition lock.

Anan1

There's a letter in July's Mercedes Enthusiast magazine from the owner of a 2000 C220CDI whose key refused to turn in the ignition. Cost from the MB dealer was £60 for a new ignition switch and £900(!) for two keys. Sorry I can't help more.

trad

Mercedes have a history of ignition lock problems. The good news is you can order a key and barrell from mercedes that are coded to your car so you only have to replace your ignition barrel. Bring your chassis number to a main dealer and they can order the lock and keys. Fitting is a bit of a bitch, better to bring it to a merc specialist or main dealer

vw4life

Milk & Honey wrote: »

Thanks. I do not have a spare key. They are difficult to obtain for this kind of car. The problem is now getting worse. Maybe it is the ignition lock.

keys aren't difficult to obtain,bring the car to a main dealer and they'll put their merc computer on it and tell you what key it needs,then order it from their parts department,whats hard about that

trad wrote: »

Mercedes have a history of ignition lock problems. The good news is you can order a key and barrell from mercedes that are coded to your car so you only have to replace your ignition barrel. Bring your chassis number to a main dealer and they can order the lock and keys. Fitting is a bit of a bitch, better to bring it to a merc specialist or main dealer

your thinking of the older model mercs

vw4life

meant to say,keys go faulty more often then ignition switches and steering locks on them yolks which is why your better off tryin a spare key first

Milk & Honey

Got a new key. Absolute nightmare. Car had to go B&B. I discovered after ordering a new key that there is a service in Tallaght which can provide keys without going through a main dealer called autokey.ie. What is worse is my original key is now working fine. I also learned that the keys can be fixed by electronics hobbyists. A guy in England charges £20 for a successful fix, nothing for a fail.

vw4life

Milk & Honey wrote: »

Got a new key. Absolute nightmare. Car had to go B&B. I discovered after ordering a new key that there is a service in Tallaght which can provide keys without going through a main dealer called autokey.ie. What is worse is my original key is now working fine. I also learned that the keys can be fixed by electronics hobbyists. A guy in England charges £20 for a successful fix, nothing for a fail.

is the car ok now,have you a phone no. for the lad in England,I can fix the old flick type keys but never tried to fix the electronic keys,thanks

and whats B&B?

Milk & Honey

At post 19 on this thread there is a guy called Malcolm who fixes keys

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=53520&highlight=ignition&page=2

B&B is bed and breakfast