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W116 without keys and doors locked ?

Started by kertbache, 10 February 2021, 12:51 PM

kertbache

That was Mercedes Brentford who refused to supply keys without the car being there, and I've asked the manager to call me about their policy as it's unreasonable when considering that other countries supply keys as you have stated.

kertbache

Interesting about using the vacuum to unlock the car, and I had given that some thought previously. But the best option I can think of so far is to drill a small hole in the top of one of the front doors after removing the chrome trim, and trying to release the lock with a strong wire. Another possible way in is via removing the rear number plate light fittings, as they are right next to the boot lock. I'll test that option on my other W116 asap.

marku

Some brilliant solutions. The previous owner of mine had a similar problem and solved it by drilling though the centre of the barrel and that's how I got it. I bought another barrel 2nd hand and had a key made to fit.
1974 450SE silver green/bamboo velour/green vinyl roof

kertbache

Yes that's possible of course, but I don't want to destroy the original lock barrel because that would mean having two different keys for the car, which is the
situation I have on my current W116, so I was trying to find a perfect solution.

Type17

You can change the pins/wafers in a lock barrel to key it up for the other locks on the car - you might need a few locks from scrapyards to get a selection of pins, but the late 116 locks probably have the same pins as late W123 or early W126 locks.


I did this back in the day with my own and my wife's Mk1 Golfs - very handy to tidy up any 'different' barrels that the cars came with, but then I also keyed the two cars the same, so we only needed one key for any of the 8 barrels  :)
'76 350SE in Silver-Green

Harv

Quote from: kertbache on 11 February 2021, 06:02 AM
The the local MB dealership will not make keys without the vehicle being taken to there premises, so that's obviously out in this situation.

Which is why you go to the Classic Center, not the dealership.

If the mothership Classic Center will make me keys via a simple email to them in America, I don't see why that wouldn't be the case in Germany.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

ptashek

Quote from: Harv on 12 February 2021, 12:54 AM
Quote from: kertbache on 11 February 2021, 06:02 AM
The the local MB dealership will not make keys without the vehicle being taken to there premises, so that's obviously out in this situation.

Which is why you go to the Classic Center, not the dealership.

If the mothership Classic Center will make me keys via a simple email to them in America, I don't see why that wouldn't be the case in Germany.

In Europe the Classic Centre doesn't interact with retail customers directly, only via the dealer network.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

marku

Quote from: kertbache on 11 February 2021, 12:30 PM
Yes that's possible of course, but I don't want to destroy the original lock barrel because that would mean having two different keys for the car, which is the
situation I have on my current W116, so I was trying to find a perfect solution.

Quite right I have now of course an extra key for the car which is annoying.
1974 450SE silver green/bamboo velour/green vinyl roof

gavin116

#23
I wouldn't think removing trim and drilling is the way to go either. The trim is easily damaged (difficult and expensive to replace should it get damaged), the paintwork could get scratched etc. Then, there's drilling to be considered: will you be able to access the correct vacuum line once you have drilled the hole? The drill may slip, and damage the door. Although the window is fully up, some of it extends below the waistline level, should the drill suddenly give way, it could break the glass.  Have you considered that it may be easier merely to break one of the rear vent windows, and reach in to pull one of the rear door releases?Look into the feasibility of getting a replacement vent window. Whilst you're there, you'll no doubt discover a little rust in the lower outer corner when you remove the window gasket, which you can treat with a rust inhibitor before replacing the window.

P.S. you may try pleading to Russell on the parts desk, he's the one to deal with in Brentford when dealing with classics. Our cars are older than most of the youngsters on the desk. Next, you'll tell me you're 21 and it'll be my bad...
::)
1979 450SE "Mrs White"
2022 Touareg-R 3.0TSi Hybrid
[url="http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/"]http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/[/url]
[url="http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613"]http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613[/url]

Squiggle Dog

Hmmm... no drilling would be required if simply unlocking the door. All you'd have to do is use a plastic prybar set (to prevent scratching the paint), and then carefully pry up and remove the outer door trim. From there it would expose a gap between the door glass and the door shell, so you could look down and find the part of the lock mechanism that you hook onto with a coathanger or such. It's pretty easy. I've even used this method to help neighbors who have locked their keys in their car.

Once you have access to the interior of the car, you can also pop open the trunk by accessing the vacuum lines running under the right side rocker carpet, and introducing suction to the yellow tube with a green stripe on it. But, you can simply remove the outside door handle and take it to get a key made and then use that key on the rest of the car (assuming the locks all match--on my car neither door lock matches, and they also no longer match the ignition switch, even though they are supposed to).

This really shouldn't be that difficult. If I had access to your car I could probably get inside and then have the door handle removed for taking into a locksmith in about a minute.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

Alec300SD

I once locked my car running with the AC on a very hot day.
Called the AAA towing service to unlock the car.
They used a car lockout kit like the MATCO LT148 style used in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQlNlU3eX6M&ab_channel=StephenCox

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/LT148/MULTI-PIECE-LOCKOUT-KIT/
78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

kertbache

#26
The earlier claim by a Member that he could open the door in about a minute, is an insult to the engineering of Daimler Benz.

I have finally found the easiest way in without causing any damage whatsoever from my own examination of the 350SE that I already have. But I don't think I should reveal it here and needlessly put at risk the security of thousands of vehicles, so this will be my final post on the matter.

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

I have also made contact with Mercedes Benz in Stuttgart in an attempt to change their absurd demand for vehicles within the UK to be transported to their dealerships before they will supply keys. 

Squiggle Dog

Quote from: kertbache on 15 February 2021, 01:22 PM
The earlier claim by a Member that he could open the door in about a minute, is an insult to the engineering of Daimler Benz.

Such gratitude. Go ahead and keep your finding to yourself, then. The fact is, it can be done if a person knows how.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

scoot

Quote from: kertbache on 11 February 2021, 06:02 AM
The the local MB dealership will not make keys without the vehicle being taken to there premises, so that's obviously out in this situation.
That is insane.  Try a different dealership.
1967 250 SL
1967 250 S
1968 280 S parts car
1971 250 C
1974 W116 LWB Red Interior but no car
1985 300 TD

scoot

Quote from: kertbache on 15 February 2021, 01:22 PM
The earlier claim by a Member that he could open the door in about a minute, is an insult to the engineering of Daimler Benz.

I have also made contact with Mercedes Benz in Stuttgart in an attempt to change their absurd demand for vehicles within the UK to be transported to their dealerships before they will supply keys.
Don't assume that DB engineering is perfect.  It's not.
yay for contacting MB in Stuttgart.  Or go to another dealer.
1967 250 SL
1967 250 S
1968 280 S parts car
1971 250 C
1974 W116 LWB Red Interior but no car
1985 300 TD