# 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Won't take the key

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-mercedes-benz-c-class-wont-take-the-key/154526>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mercedes-benz\
**Created:** [December 12, 2019, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-mercedes-benz-c-class-wont-take-the-key/154526 "2019-12-12T13:09:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gcuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Gcuma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gcuma)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-mercedes-benz-c-class-wont-take-the-key/154526/1 "2019-12-12T13:09:02Z")

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The vehicle ignition is not accepting key and steering not turning and remain locked.

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**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-mercedes-benz-c-class-wont-take-the-key/154526/2 "2019-12-12T13:28:25Z")

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The ignition lock cylinder sounds like it’s broken. You’ll need to have the car towed to a mechanic.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-mercedes-benz-c-class-wont-take-the-key/154526/3 "2019-12-12T15:37:08Z")

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The key might be worn, do you have another you can try?

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-mercedes-benz-c-class-wont-take-the-key/154526/4 "2019-12-12T16:21:53Z")

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> [@texases](#):
>
> he key might be worn, do you have another you can try?

It’s a plastic key . . . it doesn’t wear out that way. But it can definitely fail

> [@Gcuma](#):
>
> The vehicle ignition is not accepting key and steering not turning and remain locked.

Do you hear a LOUD click when you insert the key . . . ?

If not, I’d try another key

You do have another key, correct . . . ?!

If the other key solves the problem, you know what you need to do . . . order another key from the dealership. You always need a spare key.

However . . . there is also a good chance you need the electronic ignition switch. There are often certain fault codes present which are a smoking gun, but you’ll need a scanner capable of retrieving them. Typically your cheapo $50 code reader won’t be able to retrieve those kind of codes