Locked keys inside

[Maslin]

Okay, you guys have now totally spoiled my day.

This discussion spurred me to try my keys to manually open the door. They don't unlock the driver or rear doors. Neither does the bare key I had zip tied below the can (this blade came from a taped together broken fob I received with the van (I'm the 3rd owner). The transmitter on that one didn't work, but it worked in the ignition).

One of the fobs and the broken spare came with the van. The other fob I bought from the local MD dealer through the elaborate VIN procedure described in other threads.

Any thoughts on how I should proceed?

Does it spin or not turn at all? All 3 scenarios are fairly common.

Doesn't turn, the key is wrong, you'll need a lock set (or you have the wrong blade keys).

Turns 90*, but doesn't do anything, the rod popped off.

Turns 360*, back half of the tumbler fell off, you need a tumbler.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Okay, you guys have now totally spoiled my day.

This discussion spurred me to try my keys to manually open the door. They don't unlock the driver or rear doors. Neither does the bare key I had zip tied below the can (this blade came from a taped together broken fob I received with the van (I'm the 3rd owner). The transmitter on that one didn't work, but it worked in the ignition).

One of the fobs and the broken spare came with the van. The other fob I bought from the local MD dealer through the elaborate VIN procedure described in other threads.

Any thoughts on how I should proceed?

Buy a new door lock cylinder with several key blades and switch out the blades. IIRC from what Vreihen said, the ignition tumbler is a dummy and the start authorisation is electronic.

 

[bsimpson]

Thanks for suggestions. Called a locksmith and he used airbags to slide a tool in to grab the door handle to open it.

 

[vreihen]

This discussion spurred me to try my keys to manually open the door. They don't unlock the driver or rear doors.

This is why I have posted multiple times that Sprinter owners should test their key in all door locks before disconnecting the chassis ground by the throttle pedal and locking themselves out. Make it part of the long-term parking/storage procedure...every single time.....

 

[vreihen]

Thanks for suggestions. Called a locksmith and he used airbags to slide a tool in to grab the door handle to open it.

Would you mind sharing what they charged for this service, so that others know what price to expect if they wind up in a similar pickle?????

 

[irvingj]

I know you didn't ask, but I paid $100 CDN when I was in NFL last year. IIRC, the bill was less than that, so a tip was covered by a $100 bill. Bet it was more in the US!

 

[vron]

I don't think you want to deploy an airbag to force a door gap. That's going to cost a fortune to replace. I'd break the front vent window before the airbag option, but that's not going to be cheap either. I ordered the extra keys option for my 2023 and I just keep the key not the fob in my wallet. I bought an Audi 2025 SQ5 and Audi doesn't even give to the slim plastic spare key anymore to carry in a wallet. That has got to save at least 23 cents per vehicle. If the car is in park, you can open it through the Audi app provided you have your phone and it's not locked in. Of course, none of this works when you really need it but it will work every time when you test it in your garage.

I would go the AAA route, or even a body shop as they deal with this all the time on every imaginable vehicle. Good luck!

I never even downloaded the MB app. Does that work for newer Sprinters?

 

[vreihen]

I don't think you want to deploy an airbag to force a door gap. That's going to cost a fortune to replace.

They aren't talking about the crash airbags! Locksmiths have tiny little airbags that they can slip between the top of the door and its seal, that they inflate with blood pressure tester-type squeeze balls enough to pry the top of the door open just a smidge to slip a tool through the gap:

I never even downloaded the MB app. Does that work for newer Sprinters?

No app access on North American NCV3 models, only the 2019+ VS30 Sprinters.....

 

[Maslin]

Airbags on the frame have a tendency to tweak the door, along will scuffing the paint and tearing up door seals. It’s the easy way in on an MB car, but completely unnecessary on a Sprinter.

Standard Slim Jim down the glass, like it’s 1972. $10 on Amazon.

 

[vron]

They aren't talking about the crash airbags! Locksmiths have tiny little airbags that they can slip between the top of the door and its seal, that they inflate with blood pressure tester-type squeeze balls enough to pry the top of the door open just a smidge to slip a tool through the gap:

No app access on North American NCV3 models, only the 2019+ VS30 Sprinters.....

Got it. Learned something. Thanks!

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I don't think you want to deploy an airbag to force a door gap. That's going to cost a fortune to replace. I'd break the front vent window before the airbag option, but that's not going to be cheap either. I ordered the extra keys option for my 2023 and I just keep the key not the fob in my wallet. I bought an Audi 2025 SQ5 and Audi doesn't even give to the slim plastic spare key anymore to carry in a wallet. That has got to save at least 23 cents per vehicle. If the car is in park, you can open it through the Audi app provided you have your phone and it's not locked in. Of course, none of this works when you really need it but it will work every time when you test it in your garage.

I would go the AAA route, or even a body shop as they deal with this all the time on every imaginable vehicle. Good luck!

I never even downloaded the MB app. Does that work for newer Sprinters?

It works on 2019+ Sprinters with a MercedesMe subscription.

 

[vron]

Got the app. Synced with the VIN, secret code, etc... MB makes it so easy , so it sees the van, can flash the lights, I guess that's if you can't find it . That's my only remote useless option, Even downloaded software fixes, so it's linked. But, I never get the options to lock/unlock, start the engine etc., or any of the menus in app photos, and not any meaningful data like the Audi app that tells you how much gas mileage you have left. It tells me the doors are locked and the windows closed, but no options to do do anything. Tried all the delete, reload, phone restarts, etc., no change. There are endless avenues to buy more junk though.

Is there some other paid subscription when you say subscription? Because, what I have MB USA is a free app that does link your car and there's nothing else by MB in the app store for a 2023. It even has the subtitle, "Manage you vehicle with ease". Classic MB confusion.

 

[Maslin]

There won't be remote start no matter what.

 

[vreihen]

Standard Slim Jim down the glass, like it’s 1972. $10 on Amazon.

Don't get caught in NY State with one, unless you're a licensed/bonded locksmith or tow truck operator! It is considered possession of burglar tools for common people to have one.....

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Got the app. Synced with the VIN, secret code, etc... MB makes it so easy , so it sees the van, can flash the lights, I guess that's if you can't find it . That's my only remote useless option, Even downloaded software fixes, so it's linked. But, I never get the options to lock/unlock, start the engine etc., or any of the menus in app photos, and not any meaningful data like the Audi app that tells you how much gas mileage you have left. It tells me the doors are locked and the windows closed, but no options to do do anything. Tried all the delete, reload, phone restarts, etc., no change. There are endless avenues to buy more junk though.

Is there some other paid subscription when you say subscription? Because, what I have MB USA is a free app that does link your car and there's nothing else by MB in the app store for a 2023. It even has the subtitle, "Manage you vehicle with ease". Classic MB confusion.

You can have most of those features with the exception of remote start, if you have the subscription. I have all of them.

Its called Mercedes.Me. Its $150 a year, well worth it because it also comes with things like map updates and theft tracking.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Don't get caught in NY State with one, unless you're a licensed/bonded locksmith or tow truck operator! It is considered possession of burglar tools for common people to have one.....

Does that mean that if I got stopped in NY with the Covert Companion, I'd get in trouble?

Covert Companion™ Pro

Everything we built the Covert Companion system to become, in one ready-to-carry package. The Covert Companion™ Pro is a fully assembled, all-metal toolset built for those who need maximum versatility in the most compact form possible. It includes almost every tool from the original Covert...

covertinstruments.com

 

[vreihen]

If the officer is in a fowl (sic) mood. Free plug for my new #VanLife company FOwl Vans.....

 

[Lagom]

Does it spin or not turn at all? All 3 scenarios are fairly common.

Doesn't turn, the key is wrong, you'll need a lock set (or you have the wrong blade keys).

Turns 90*, but doesn't do anything, the rod popped off.

Turns 360*, back half of the tumbler fell off, you need a tumbler.

I talked to a locksmith and a mechanic today about my keys not opening the driver or back door locks. The cylinder turns, but nothing happens. One suggested that the cylinder might not mechanically drive the lock, but instead activates a switch driving the lock solenoid.

Before I brave the storm outside and start opening things up, can someone with an NCV3 try opening one of those doors with a key and telling me if the solenoid fires, mirror turn signal flashes, etc?

Alternatively, is there a wiring diagram of the electric door locking mechanisms that might answer this question? Or a picture showing the backside of one of these two cylinders?

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I talked to a locksmith and a mechanic today about my keys not opening the driver or back door locks. The cylinder turns, but nothing happens. One suggested that the cylinder might not mechanically drive the lock, but instead activates a switch driving the lock solenoid.

Before I brave the storm outside and start opening things up, can someone with an NCV3 try opening one of those doors with a key and telling me if the solenoid fires, mirror turn signal flashes, etc?

Alternatively, is there a wiring diagram of the electric door locking mechanisms that might answer this question? Or a picture showing the backside of one of these two cylinders?

If its like every other Mercedes I've owned where I used a mechanical key but it had a remote, it doesn't. Its a mechanical backup, the remote activates the power alone. I vaguely remember this being the case with my friend's NCV3.

In fact, I remember on my ML350, when the remote started getting unreliable, I had to start locking it manually in order to not arm the alarm.

 

[Maslin]

I talked to a locksmith and a mechanic today about my keys not opening the driver or back door locks. The cylinder turns, but nothing happens. One suggested that the cylinder might not mechanically drive the lock, but instead activates a switch driving the lock solenoid.

Before I brave the storm outside and start opening things up, can someone with an NCV3 try opening one of those doors with a key and telling me if the solenoid fires, mirror turn signal flashes, etc?

Alternatively, is there a wiring diagram of the electric door locking mechanisms that might answer this question? Or a picture showing the backside of one of these two cylinders?

See what you quoted, it's fairly clear.