Hi all,
I brought home a 1975 W200 and I'm in the process of getting it running again. The only major problem I've run into so far is the the previous owner lost the ignition key. What are my options here? Are replacement keys available? What do I have to do in order to wire in a momentary on/off switch? I have a wiring diagram, but I'm not sure how the whole ignition thing works. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

can you turn the steering wheel without the key? if you can i would go with the on off switch. you could smash out the ignition switch. it take a pro to do it quick. my friend took an 30 minutes to do it.

 

Yes I can turn the steering wheel without the key. I'd rather keep everything as stock as possible though. I'm gonna take the VIN to the dealership and see if they can get a blank key for me. How much do you think they'll charge for something like that?

 

If they can go back that far on the vin. they may ba able to cut a key for it. Shouldn't be over two or three dollars.

 

Just call a lock smith and spend the ten or twenty bucks and have new keys made.

 

I called the dealer and they informed me that their VIN records don't go back that far. Ha, figures. I was told I could bring in the ignition on Monday and the "might" be able to make a key for it. Either that or I could bring in a door lock and hope it's the same thing as the ignition.

I don't know how this works at all. Can I just bring the door lock or the ignition to a locksmith and they can somehow make a key or do I need a blank key first? What now?

 

i would think the easiest thing to do is just buy a new ignition switch and install it. i've put several in my old chevy over the years. you probably have to remove the steering wheel with a puller. new ignition switch with keys was only about $10.

your 1975 ignition switch is probably about worn out anyway.

 

Can you ask the previous owner if the old ignition key that was lost also fit the doors? Pull the switch and if need be the door locks and take them to the locksmith. He will have the correct blank and cut you a key and change the pins in the locks if need so the ignition and doors are the same. If you change the ignition switch you are left with no key for the door locks. He can also tell you if the ignition switch is worn.