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The other day, I bought an R170 SLK32. Two key fobs were included. Hopefully, a battery is required for the non-functioning one. The blade key is the problem. The fact that they both turn over in the ignition but not in the door or boot leads me to believe that the ignition control unit has been swapped out.
Are they any options for getting the original keys cut for the door and boot at Mercedes? While having a spare key is OK with me, I must have a way to enter in the event that the car's battery dies.
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Crucial problem
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LiamTheGreat
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2026 8:35 pm
As far as I am aware, blade keys are not manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. This has been an issue for some time. The dealer used to have no trouble getting barrels and keys that matched my vin, but these days it's a real pain.
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LiamTheGreat
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2026 8:35 pm
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LiamTheGreat
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2026 8:35 pm
A competent locksmith might maybe match the locks if you removed the door and ignition barrel, but because you only had the key to the ignition, it would mean he would have to work on four locks instead of two.
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ThomasWhited
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2026 8:42 pm
You could try spraying some penetrating oil on the locks and working them; they might loosen up after years of not being used. For example, in cars with remote locking, some of the door locks might not work, even though the driver's lock was always in use.
Regarding keys, I had no trouble getting one when I purchased my previous W124, which was around four years ago. The W124 uses a regular metal key, not a fancy remote fob, but I had no trouble getting one, and the best part was that they were only £24 back then, instead of the hundreds that fancy remote fob types cost.
Although it's conceivable that the ignition barrel has been replaced, when purchased from a dealer, these parts are typically matched to the vehicle identification number (VIN) and other locks. Therefore, I would assume that the problem is due to inactivity and try spraying some penetrating oil into the ignition each night and trying to open the locks multiple times to see if it helps. If that fails, you can take the lock barrels off the doors and boot, disassemble them, and clean the tumblers. While you're at it, make sure the keys fit by seeing if the tumblers lie flat against the barrel's profile. If they don't, you can always re-engineer a barrel to fit your keys; I've done it on multiple occasions with older vehicle locks. You can find instructions online; it's not as complicated as it sounds. My long-lost acquaintance who had been taught the skill of lock repair many years ago taught it to me.
Regarding keys, I had no trouble getting one when I purchased my previous W124, which was around four years ago. The W124 uses a regular metal key, not a fancy remote fob, but I had no trouble getting one, and the best part was that they were only £24 back then, instead of the hundreds that fancy remote fob types cost.
Although it's conceivable that the ignition barrel has been replaced, when purchased from a dealer, these parts are typically matched to the vehicle identification number (VIN) and other locks. Therefore, I would assume that the problem is due to inactivity and try spraying some penetrating oil into the ignition each night and trying to open the locks multiple times to see if it helps. If that fails, you can take the lock barrels off the doors and boot, disassemble them, and clean the tumblers. While you're at it, make sure the keys fit by seeing if the tumblers lie flat against the barrel's profile. If they don't, you can always re-engineer a barrel to fit your keys; I've done it on multiple occasions with older vehicle locks. You can find instructions online; it's not as complicated as it sounds. My long-lost acquaintance who had been taught the skill of lock repair many years ago taught it to me.
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ThomasWhited
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2026 8:42 pm
As long as you have the key number and a blank, it is possible to have keys cut to number. This service is offered by many locksmiths, not only automotive ones; in fact, there were even vendors on eBay.de who offered this service.
Security issues make me doubt that dealers will be willing to provide you the key number deciphered from the VIN.
My guess is that your locks are just gunked up from years of unused use; after all, if the key fits the ignition and the remote opens the car, it must be the right one.
Security issues make me doubt that dealers will be willing to provide you the key number deciphered from the VIN.
My guess is that your locks are just gunked up from years of unused use; after all, if the key fits the ignition and the remote opens the car, it must be the right one.
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ThomasWhited
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2026 8:42 pm
Another suggestion: if the lock barrels can be removed from the doors or boot, fill an ultrasonic cleaning bath with cleaning solution and submerge the entire lock barrel in it for a long time. The catch is that you usually have to turn the key to a certain position before the barrel can be removed from the lock, so you'll still need to free it up. Nevertheless, if you are successful in removing the barrel, cleaning it thoroughly with the ultrasonic bath is not a bad idea. After that, re-lubricate the lock with the appropriate graphite lock lubricant, which any respectable locksmith can recommend and sell to the public.
Spray easing oil (anything better than WD40, which is basically a water dispersion), insert the metal key into the lock, and remove the cleaning head from your electric toothbrush. This is an old tip passed down from a beloved but now-deceased member of Television. Position it against the metal emergency key and activate it simultaneously with the key turning; the vibration and easing oil may eventually convince the tumblers to perform their intended function!