Back in the 80s I worked for Ford motor company, and we got to disassemble other makers cars to reverse engineer things. It was a fun job for a college grad, and Mercedes and BMW were the most interesting because they had more pieces and panels than any other car make... and no RUclips videos describing how to take things apart!
Back in the 70’s I was sent to Germany. What I observed is that if it took 3 pieces to make something work, the German engineers would design it with 8. While laying in bed I was looking up at the window over the door. I’d seen these many times as a kid and the simple bar mechanism used to open and close them. A bar with a hinge at the top with a pinch lock half way down. The German version had about 8 pieces with levers and handles and various pivot points. I knew then why they they lost the war. Very high quality equipment overly engineered to add multiple failure points, however unlikely.
@@yqwgjsg their tanks didn't fail, but yes well made and thus slower to produce than Russia many cheap tanks, who didn't care if they lost 5 per 1 German
My son had a similar problem with one of his cars when he first started driving. He got stuck at a diner and called me. By the time I got there to rescue him he had removed the switch on the steering column with a ax. I can laugh about it now. Thanks for sharing.
Well that was a good repair but the best part was Bailey taking a genuine interest in his inspection duties once again. Glad to see him back on his feet (for an hour or two per day). 😎👍👏
I had to replace the alien technology Key Switch on my Saab 900 years back, it was pretty straight forward and the assembly looked well designed. it had robust looking Pin type electrical connectors and they were Silver Plated. Leave it to an Aircraft manufacturer to make sure the ignition terminals would never corrode. It was easy compared to that abortion you had to work on. But man it was definitely a salvage yard item what a new one cost i cudda bought a different used car. Thanks for the ride along. Looking forward to seeing a test shaft and that bad ass tail stock indication video. That G&L always makes for some teachable moments. thumbs up!
Great video. Thousands of those W123 body Mercedes built between 79 & 85 are still on the road in Africa used a taxis from Tangiers to Cape Town and all across half of Asia. Not bad for a car produced 40 + years ago. These cars were designed and build for longevity , serviceability, reliability and basic transportation. Routine maintenance is a byword in the German car ethos. If you could have gotten to the problem before the lock couldn't be turned, the fix required a paper clip, flat bladed screw driver and a large channel lock to turn the cap covering the ignition and key lock. That's not the definition of "over engineering". Mercedes has never risen to the engineering & build quality of the W123 & W126 since those cars stopped being produced in '85 (in the case of the W123) and '91 (in the case of the W126) but for those of us who still service and drive these mechanical wonders we appreciate the efforts of the designers and fabricators of those fantastic automobiles. And we appreciate your contribution Brian - best video on the subject I have seen.
Next time you may want to enlist a professional car thief to override the theft protection on that ignition switch. :-) Glad to see Bailey is back in motion again and is certainly an easy going snoopervisor.
And here I was expecting a full rebuild. They don't make it easy with all the interconnections, and having to demolish half the car to get to it. Unfortunately the modern day car is much worse, and everything just costs more because of it. Good to see Bailey back to his old self, and keeping checks on your performance. Regards Dennis.
that vacuum switch that makes you get out and push the big chromate plated lever to stop the engine. also can be problematic if you take on the replacement of that switch know witch fuel line to pinch with a vise grip if it runs away on ya. hope you still have good compression valve job and all that that car can go 500-600k or more nice smooth and quiet
Hi Brian and Baily. Wow a fancy Mercedes them are for those rich people we think. Thank you for the key mechanism lesson that looks to have a lot of parts for security involved. Baily headed on off to the patio up with a better view of what you are sharing. Our Jeep need not a key these days, it is only a 2002 that never goes anywhere so for us it wore out quicker then we would think. We enjoyed this. Lance & Patrick.
Haha German over engineered....it definitely performed for a long time. But I completely understand the sentiment. Funny thing is most Germans I know would say it's all worn out you need a new car so the ignition switch did all it needed to. They like it all perfect, if it's not... it's time for a new one. Bailey's ready to ride .... Thanks for sharing
German engineers are not known for minimalist designs, I would really like to offer my opinion on that but karma is a bitch; I'm sure there has been more than one tech or engineer look at one of my designs and wondering `What was I thinking' Still, with 40 years and perhaps 30K cycles, not to bad.
Enginerded just like a VW just not all in the steering column, and put together with snap off bolts that you have to drill out. I have a jetta to do for a customer, when the part comes in. Good job Brian, divide and conquer.......lol
Well, for its age and mileage, it certainly served it's service life! But yeah, that would be a miserable job if it would not come apart well . . . "Bad day," as you say.
I had to do a similar job on a later Merc 190E, I think. I had to do what you did but also to remove the electrical ignition switch I had to drill three holes in the plastic in exactly the right place to reveal the attaching screws. I think overall the job was even more difficult than yours because of lack of access and more confined space. It took two visits on separate days to complete the job. Never again!
A while back we had to replace the lock cylinder on my sons 96 Mustang. Everything went fine until we tried to turn it to the lock position and remove the key. We fought it for an hour, removing and replacing the cylinder until I just sat and stared at it in frustration. He had not driven the car for several years and I was looking at the steering column when I felt like a mule had kicked me in the ass. I noticed the little button on the column and then it struck me that this was a straight shift. I pressed the button while turning the key back and it worked like butter. I’ve been driving automatics too long and it’s a bitch to get old and forgetful. I drove a Ford van for years with this same setup and can’t believe force of habit didn’t kick in.
Hammer0f Thor lol!! I don’t know I would have told that one! Hehe of course I drive sticks all the time so I am used to it but I could easily see how that could happen.
I have a similar problem with my '93 Camry - the driver's side door lock is frozen (in the locked position of course). There's no way to get at the lock/latching assembly without opening the door first, since the access is through the inside door jam. I can't even get the inside beauty panel off without the door being open since all the screws are hidden when closed, but even if that was off, there is just solid sheet metal under it and no direct access to the latching mechanism. The dealer had no clue what to do. The only suggestions I've had is to tear off the beauty panel and cut/torch the door panel sheet metal to make an access hole so that I can cut/torch out the locking mechanism. I've been driving it by getting in on the passenger side for a year now and I'm tired of that. The car runs fine otherwise, but nobody wants to buy it like that except for parts. Grrr.
Scott: Get a sawsall with a metal blade. slide the front seat as far forward as you can. Get in the back seat. You can then pry the door seal out/over enough to see the latch loop/striker plate that is on the door jam. Reach in with the metal blade and cut the loop/striker plate off the door jam. You can then get the door open. You will have to replace the striker plate.
@@JDseller1 I will have a look at what you described. I looked at an exploded view of the area at the dealership a while back, but I will have to look again at what you are suggesting I am to cut into. Have you done this exact thing before, or maybe something else but similar?
I have not done this on a Camry but other makes of vehicles. The latch is in the door. That latch closes around either a Loop that has bolts that hold it to the door , or a bolt with a bushing on it. You can not cut the latch without destroying the door. That would be expensive to fix. The latch striker plate or bolt would be less than $15-20. To see the latch/striker when the door is closed you need to get the rubber door seal out of the way. Take a look at how the door latch works on the passenger side. The driver side is just mirror imaged. The shape of the door jam may make it so you can not get straight on to cut it really easy BUT metal sawsall blades will cut slightly bent. Just go slow. Even if you can not get it cut completely you can weaken it enough that you can pry the door open. I am assuming since this is a 26 year old car that it is a driver/beater car not a collector show piece. LOL So even if you damage the door jam some cutting/prying, you can straighten that out with the door open. That is way better than cutting the latch out of the door.
Good info! (1984 300sd) I've got a key that's stuck in "run" position and won't turn "off" ( steering isn't locked). I managed to pull off the ignition switch (by transforming into a lilliputian), can I remove the whole key/lock assembly (w/key in) from behind the instrument panel? Any Help?
If you can get it turned to the position for the pin hole to line up you can insert a paperclip and release the plunger then turn the nut off to remove the switch.
My dad had a problem with the starter position on a 58 Rambler. When the key was turned to "start" it wouldn't do anything so he got a small pushbutton and installed it under the dash so the start the car the key went to run and the button was pushed to start the engine. He took it to the dealer for something and the mechanic came to him that he, the mechanic, couldn't start the car. Dad showed him how to reach under the dash to use the button and it started. We used it that way until he got another car.
Hey, brother! I could totally use a RUclips mentor. Your channel seems to be growing pretty great. What tips could you share with me that will allow me to build my followers?
I am probably not the greatest you tuber to ask but I would say good interesting content, smooth, easy to watch videos, and most importantly get people interested in YOU. The more you share and people can get to know you the more likely they are to " hang out" and watch your videos. People like their friends better than strangers. :-)
Be sure key is in the accessory position and you have the paperclip in the hole and it should pull right out. You have to get the spring loaded tab down that the paperclip operates for the tumbler assembly to come out.
sounds as if you need a simplified ignition switch maybe an insulated glove and the old wire twist deal to have a truly reliable way to fire up the old vehicle
The start position is locked out after it is entered once. I would say it is not resetting when it is switched off so it won't allow you to go past key on. I can't remember if that interlock is in the switch box or the tumbler section but regardless sounds like you are going to get to take it apart.
@@bcbloc02 boy oh boy. Ironically started watching your channel years ago forget if it was Keith Rucker or who mention your barn project. But I have 2 w123s and so your content comes up more on that now that your barn is leveled.
You did not show exactly what you did to remove it. Thats more important than hours it took or how many times you sharpen the drill. Show the complete process!
@@edfreitas2906 when it broke I was out on the road with no camera so could not film that process. At 5:40 I tell exactly how I got it apart. Follow those instructions and you should have success.
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
Back in the 80s I worked for Ford motor company, and we got to disassemble other makers cars to reverse engineer things. It was a fun job for a college grad, and Mercedes and BMW were the most interesting because they had more pieces and panels than any other car make... and no RUclips videos describing how to take things apart!
Back in the 70’s I was sent to Germany. What I observed is that if it took 3 pieces to make something work, the German engineers would design it with 8. While laying in bed I was looking up at the window over the door. I’d seen these many times as a kid and the simple bar mechanism used to open and close them. A bar with a hinge at the top with a pinch lock half way down. The German version had about 8 pieces with levers and handles and various pivot points. I knew then why they they lost the war. Very high quality equipment overly engineered to add multiple failure points, however unlikely.
@@yqwgjsg their tanks didn't fail, but yes well made and thus slower to produce than Russia many cheap tanks, who didn't care if they lost 5 per 1 German
My son had a similar problem with one of his cars when he first started driving. He got stuck at a diner and called me. By the time I got there to rescue him he had removed the switch on the steering column with a ax. I can laugh about it now. Thanks for sharing.
Well that was a good repair but the best part was Bailey taking a genuine interest in his inspection duties once again. Glad to see him back on his feet (for an hour or two per day). 😎👍👏
Rube Goldberg's finest, along with your modification Brian I would be inclined to gut that steering lock mechanism too.
I had to replace the alien technology Key Switch on my Saab 900 years back, it was pretty straight forward and the assembly looked well designed. it had robust looking Pin type electrical connectors and they were Silver Plated. Leave it to an Aircraft manufacturer to make sure the ignition terminals would never corrode. It was easy compared to that abortion you had to work on. But man it was definitely a salvage yard item what a new one cost i cudda bought a different used car. Thanks for the ride along. Looking forward to seeing a test shaft and that bad ass tail stock indication video. That G&L always makes for some teachable moments. thumbs up!
If it was an aircraft manufacturer they'd probs be cad plated
Great video. Thousands of those W123 body Mercedes built between 79 & 85 are still on the road in Africa used a taxis from Tangiers to Cape Town and all across half of Asia. Not bad for a car produced 40 + years ago. These cars were designed and build for longevity , serviceability, reliability and basic transportation. Routine maintenance is a byword in the German car ethos. If you could have gotten to the problem before the lock couldn't be turned, the fix required a paper clip, flat bladed screw driver and a large channel lock to turn the cap covering the ignition and key lock. That's not the definition of "over engineering". Mercedes has never risen to the engineering & build quality of the W123 & W126 since those cars stopped being produced in '85 (in the case of the W123) and '91 (in the case of the W126) but for those of us who still service and drive these mechanical wonders we appreciate the efforts of the designers and fabricators of those fantastic automobiles. And we appreciate your contribution Brian - best video on the subject I have seen.
Looks like you have the key to your problem. Good job Brian.
Hope Bailey got a ride after you fixed the switch, looked like he was ready after hours of supervising :)
He did get to go on the joy ride to check it all out afterwards. :-)
He looked ready to roll.
@@bcbloc02 Good to hear that he took part in the road test to make sure the task was properly completed :)
Interesting video. I'm glad you had to do that job and not me.
Next time you may want to enlist a professional car thief to override the theft protection on that ignition switch. :-) Glad to see Bailey is back in motion again and is certainly an easy going snoopervisor.
Great job Brian! Your ingenuity amazes me! Keep the vids coming!
Big machines or small, key switches or space shuttles, they all need the ingenious persons to make the tools or parts work work for them.
And here I was expecting a full rebuild.
They don't make it easy with all the interconnections, and having to demolish half the car to get to it. Unfortunately the modern day car is much worse, and everything just costs more because of it.
Good to see Bailey back to his old self, and keeping checks on your performance.
Regards Dennis.
that vacuum switch that makes you get out and push the big chromate plated lever to stop the engine. also can be problematic if you take on the replacement of that switch know witch fuel line to pinch with a vise grip if it runs away on ya. hope you still have good compression valve job and all that that car can go 500-600k or more nice smooth and quiet
You just need some more city street time, you could learn how to get that lock out is 15 sec. Nice repair.
Randy Richard In The Shop I am lacking in my street skills I guess. Lol
Hope after all the hard work Bailey got to get him a ride and a ice cream. Thanks
I really like the old diesels as you well know BUT this is exactly why I have an 86 Civic and an 89 Taco. YAAY Baily!
Another successful fix. Good job,,, keep the DIY how do i make this work videos coming.. There the best video no matter what subject.
Time for a new ignition system connected to a new car.
Enough reason for me to stay away from old, or probably any, MB cars.
Thanks for sharing
JT Thill $40000 for a new car or 4 hrs working on this one. I will take the 4 hrs and have more money I can spend on the shop. 😎
Hi Brian and Baily.
Wow a fancy Mercedes them are for those rich people we think. Thank you for the key mechanism lesson that looks to have a lot of parts for security involved. Baily headed on off to the patio up with a better view of what you are sharing. Our Jeep need not a key these days, it is only a 2002 that never goes anywhere so for us it wore out quicker then we would think.
We enjoyed this.
Lance & Patrick.
Active Atom Yes, rich! 35 yo cars are a clear sign money is no object! Lol
@@bcbloc02 Well see we call that like our machinery old wise money out here along the coast somewhere. LOL.
Boy what a pain. The things we do for our classic cars. It challenges your patience. My everyday is a 1987 Lincoln Town Car
1:28 the Kentucky way of evaluating German engineering - love it! :)
Very good video thanks 🙏
I liked that product placement. I grew up on Barq’s Root Beer in South Mississippi.
Poppi2006 Now if only I could get a sponsorship!! Lol
Haha German over engineered....it definitely performed for a long time. But I completely understand the sentiment. Funny thing is most Germans I know would say it's all worn out you need a new car so the ignition switch did all it needed to. They like it all perfect, if it's not... it's time for a new one. Bailey's ready to ride .... Thanks for sharing
This job brought back a lot of unhappy memories, but thanks, anyway.
German engineers are not known for minimalist designs, I would really like to offer my opinion on that but karma is a bitch; I'm sure there has been more than one tech or engineer look at one of my designs and wondering `What was I thinking' Still, with 40 years and perhaps 30K cycles, not to bad.
Very cool video I like the old diesel Mercedes
Enginerded just like a VW just not all in the steering column, and put together with snap off bolts that you have to drill out. I have a jetta to do for a customer, when the part comes in. Good job Brian, divide and conquer.......lol
Well, for its age and mileage, it certainly served it's service life! But yeah, that would be a miserable job if it would not come apart well . . . "Bad day," as you say.
Love the Special tools
I had to do a similar job on a later Merc 190E, I think. I had to do what you did but also to remove the electrical
ignition switch I had to drill three holes in the plastic in exactly the right place to reveal the attaching screws.
I think overall the job was even more difficult than yours because of lack of access and more confined space.
It took two visits on separate days to complete the job. Never again!
When splitting up with his wife she had thrown away his keys. Something to think on!
I lost my keys. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the video.
Thank you sir.
Glad to help!
Puzzle solver.......good R&R
Daggum, what a nightmare of a job!
My W204 just dropped me dead at a shopping centre no warnings with this, no other make of vehicle I had did this.
A while back we had to replace the lock cylinder on my sons 96 Mustang. Everything went fine until we tried to turn it to the lock position and remove the key. We fought it for an hour, removing and replacing the cylinder until I just sat and stared at it in frustration. He had not driven the car for several years and I was looking at the steering column when I felt like a mule had kicked me in the ass. I noticed the little button on the column and then it struck me that this was a straight shift. I pressed the button while turning the key back and it worked like butter. I’ve been driving automatics too long and it’s a bitch to get old and forgetful. I drove a Ford van for years with this same setup and can’t believe force of habit didn’t kick in.
Hammer0f Thor lol!! I don’t know I would have told that one! Hehe of course I drive sticks all the time so I am used to it but I could easily see how that could happen.
I have a similar problem with my '93 Camry - the driver's side door lock is frozen (in the locked position of course). There's no way to get at the lock/latching assembly without opening the door first, since the access is through the inside door jam. I can't even get the inside beauty panel off without the door being open since all the screws are hidden when closed, but even if that was off, there is just solid sheet metal under it and no direct access to the latching mechanism. The dealer had no clue what to do. The only suggestions I've had is to tear off the beauty panel and cut/torch the door panel sheet metal to make an access hole so that I can cut/torch out the locking mechanism. I've been driving it by getting in on the passenger side for a year now and I'm tired of that. The car runs fine otherwise, but nobody wants to buy it like that except for parts. Grrr.
Scott: Get a sawsall with a metal blade. slide the front seat as far forward as you can. Get in the back seat. You can then pry the door seal out/over enough to see the latch loop/striker plate that is on the door jam. Reach in with the metal blade and cut the loop/striker plate off the door jam. You can then get the door open. You will have to replace the striker plate.
@@JDseller1 I will have a look at what you described. I looked at an exploded view of the area at the dealership a while back, but I will have to look again at what you are suggesting I am to cut into. Have you done this exact thing before, or maybe something else but similar?
I have not done this on a Camry but other makes of vehicles. The latch is in the door. That latch closes around either a Loop that has bolts that hold it to the door , or a bolt with a bushing on it. You can not cut the latch without destroying the door. That would be expensive to fix. The latch striker plate or bolt would be less than $15-20. To see the latch/striker when the door is closed you need to get the rubber door seal out of the way. Take a look at how the door latch works on the passenger side. The driver side is just mirror imaged. The shape of the door jam may make it so you can not get straight on to cut it really easy BUT metal sawsall blades will cut slightly bent. Just go slow. Even if you can not get it cut completely you can weaken it enough that you can pry the door open. I am assuming since this is a 26 year old car that it is a driver/beater car not a collector show piece. LOL So even if you damage the door jam some cutting/prying, you can straighten that out with the door open. That is way better than cutting the latch out of the door.
Leave the black security cover off and turn key to position one, press down on the square locking piece and remove the tumbler..
You Win
Good info! (1984 300sd) I've got a key that's stuck in "run" position and won't turn "off" ( steering isn't locked). I managed to pull off the ignition switch (by transforming into a lilliputian), can I remove the whole key/lock assembly (w/key in) from behind the instrument panel? Any Help?
If you can get it turned to the position for the pin hole to line up you can insert a paperclip and release the plunger then turn the nut off to remove the switch.
I am waiting for you to add twin turbos!!!
My dad had a problem with the starter position on a 58 Rambler. When the key was turned to "start" it wouldn't do anything so he got a small pushbutton and installed it under the dash so the start the car the key went to run and the button was pushed to start the engine. He took it to the dealer for something and the mechanic came to him that he, the mechanic, couldn't start the car. Dad showed him how to reach under the dash to use the button and it started. We used it that way until he got another car.
Hey, brother! I could totally use a RUclips mentor. Your channel seems to be growing pretty great. What tips could you share with me that will allow me to build my followers?
I am probably not the greatest you tuber to ask but I would say good interesting content, smooth, easy to watch videos, and most importantly get people interested in YOU. The more you share and people can get to know you the more likely they are to " hang out" and watch your videos. People like their friends better than strangers. :-)
bcbloc02 understood
How’d you get the tumbler out? I drilled the case and removed the hardened chrome key guard but the tumblers not coming out.
Be sure key is in the accessory position and you have the paperclip in the hole and it should pull right out. You have to get the spring loaded tab down that the paperclip operates for the tumbler assembly to come out.
You know it's old when there is a oil line going inside the car to a gauge.
sounds as if you need a simplified ignition switch maybe an insulated glove and the old wire twist deal to have a truly reliable way to fire up the old vehicle
That lock would drive a man to drinking. Glad to see bayley up and about
Looks like it made him break out the Root Beer
@@larryrobinson7492 lolol howdy larry
Bailey's trying to say 'give me three steps ', don't know where I going, anywhere but here.
How is your old Dodge Cummins truck?
James Verburg Still awesome.😎
Benz-Zito
mighty fancy car I rekon
u drive that to pick up chiks huh
I would
Id have cut the column lock pin off too and put a toggle switch and a push button moment switch in and lost all the over thunk square head junk
same here, make it a new push-button stat
Old video but can you see a reason a w123 key would unlock the wheel and then goes through to glow but won't turn to start?
The start position is locked out after it is entered once. I would say it is not resetting when it is switched off so it won't allow you to go past key on. I can't remember if that interlock is in the switch box or the tumbler section but regardless sounds like you are going to get to take it apart.
@@bcbloc02 boy oh boy. Ironically started watching your channel years ago forget if it was Keith Rucker or who mention your barn project. But I have 2 w123s and so your content comes up more on that now that your barn is leveled.
That looks like real PIA.
that's not fare you have bailey too help you
I would enjoy watching that car get fed into a shredder.
Newer ones are a lot worse....
You did not show exactly what you did to remove it. Thats more important than hours it took or how many times you sharpen the drill. Show the complete process!
@@edfreitas2906 when it broke I was out on the road with no camera so could not film that process. At 5:40 I tell exactly how I got it apart. Follow those instructions and you should have success.
Marvelous engineering, with very little intelligence or common sense. Nice work-around.