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ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-31-2014, 12:23 PM

Hi, well that sounded like a nightmare to me. And four hours late for vehicle that it's going to sit a few days before they look at it was a really poor excuse to put it off for another day. Too bad that the keys got locked inside; And a decent tow truck driver should know all about automatic door locks. Auto door locks have done this for decades, ask any car wash. Ironically, many times a non-start vehicle was towed to our dealership and as soon as it was disconnected from the tow truck it would start like nothing ever happened. Towing from the front, on a rear drive vehicle could cause transmission damage if the driveshaft isn't removed. He probably should have put the rear wheels on dollies. Sometimes tow trucks are a necessary evil. GOOD LUCK.

73shark · 08-31-2014, 12:32 PM

If you still have the spare key/fob, might be worth the trip to prevent them from having to pry the door. Never saw inside a Sprinter door but is there something preventing a "slim jim" from opening it?

Surprised they're open on Labor Day.

J. Morgan · 08-31-2014, 12:53 PM

Prying the door open at the top for unlock service is SOP these days.

Protagonist · 08-31-2014, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73shark

If you still have the spare key/fob, might be worth the trip to prevent them from having to pry the door.

Funny thing about that… Knowing that the problem might be the ignition switch and/or keyes themselves (keys are chipped, switch has a chip reader) I wanted to make sure I didn't forget the spare key, I put it on the same key ring. BOTH keys are locked inside! That was a mistake I'll never make again!

Quote:

Never saw inside a Sprinter door but is there something preventing a "slim jim" from opening it?

I saw inside the passenger-side door when the glass was being replaced after the break-in (the day after I bought it!) but that was nearly three years ago and I don't remember if there was anything in particular. But in general, it's a bad idea to use a slim-jim on a car door with electronic locks, unless you want to damage the lock mechanism.

Quote:

Surprised they're open on Labor Day.

It's a trade-off. In order to get off Mardi Gras, they work Labor Day.

Paddledipper · 08-31-2014, 01:18 PM

A brainstorm in a rainstorm..... Awesome :-)

gmillerok1 · 08-31-2014, 01:48 PM

One advantage of the Drone Alarm is that I can open the doors with my iPhone. Protag, can't they make a new key based on the number they should have on file based on the serial number to manually open the door on the driver's side? Of course, prying it open is faster and easier if you don't mind the risk of damage. Maybe that is the only way, but I would think MB would have another way short of that. I bought a spare key that I always keep at home just in case, though.

Melody Ranch · 08-31-2014, 02:25 PM

Vinnie L.....Airslide......now in Airstream business of his own....in his previous life was the service manager for Mercedes. I bet he has a clue on your problem here.

pbearsailor · 08-31-2014, 02:34 PM

Darn, Protag, I'm exhausted just reading about the tow!

Cheers,
Steve

Lily&Me · 08-31-2014, 02:50 PM

Me, too.

Good luck,

Maggie

avanti · 08-31-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Oh, and an odd thing, the tow truck driver was firmly convinced that it was AAA Roadside Assistance that dispatched him, not Good Sam. Does AAA manage the Good Same Roadside Assistance plan? I'll have to look into that sometime.

Sounds like a pleasant day.

Unless things have changed recently, Good Sam is just a reseller for Allstate Motor Club:

Allstate & Good Sam

Next time your renewal comes up, you should take a look at cutting out the middleman. You can get a MUCH better deal directly from Allstate (same price, significantly better coverage). Plus, they don't inundate you with all that disgusting junk mail.

BTW: if your Sprinter is still under warranty, you also have roadside assistance coverage from MB.

overlander63 · 08-31-2014, 03:13 PM

I don't want to go into details, but there is a device that will safely pry a door open in order to unlock it. I'm sure the bad guys know about it, too, but there's no reason to give them something on a Google search.

Ron_CA · 08-31-2014, 03:37 PM

Dude... What a day, huh?

I'm guessing the dealer will have this sorted out quickly for you. Good luck.

Boxster1971 · 08-31-2014, 04:22 PM

Wow! What an experience and I thought my 2 hour wait for tow in Baltimore was bad.

Quote:

.... Extended-model Interstate owners take note, if you do a wheel-lift tow, be VERY careful of the clearance at the rear!

Even a flatbed tow is a problem for an extended Sprinter. When they pulled mine onto flatbed it ended up on the rear skids for about 2 feet even with the flatbed as low as they could get it.

Also found that Mercedes Roadside assistance is just a middleman and they contract out for towing. So does Coach Net.

- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

avanti · 08-31-2014, 04:43 PM

I realize that this is a little late, but there is a parallel conversation going on at the Class-B forum that sounds potentially relevant:

Sprinter Blown Starter Motor Fuse

David M · 08-31-2014, 05:33 PM

Protagonist, sorry to read about your experience. Is your spare remote for the Viper alarm on the same keyring as your spare key?

Protagonist · 08-31-2014, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David M

Protagonist, sorry to read about your experience. Is your spare remote for the Viper alarm on the same keyring as your spare key?

Normally yes. I moved the spare ignition key to the main keyring just for this service, so the spare ignition key is the only spare key that got locked in with the main keys.

David M · 08-31-2014, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Normally yes. I moved the spare ignition key to the main keyring just for this service, so the spare ignition key is the only spare key that got locked in with the main keys.

Then why can't you use the spare Viper remote to unlock the van?

toskeysam · 08-31-2014, 06:34 PM

Protagonist.....old man Murphy was alive and well in the south... I know it is of little consolation....but you definitely taught a lot of us something. I remember cringing when I read the manual about auto-locking... I just have a bad feeling this is lurking in all of our futures somewhere. Good luck Tuesday!!!

73shark · 08-31-2014, 09:34 PM

Not this can cause a problem other than being a PITA but if you don't open a door withing 30 seconds of unlocking, it locks back up.

Jeff64 · 08-31-2014, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73shark

If you still have the spare key/fob, might be worth the trip to prevent them from having to pry the door. Never saw inside a Sprinter door but is there something preventing a "slim jim" from opening it?

Surprised they're open on Labor Day.

I agree, I would not want them prying on my door. Next thing you'll have a wind noise.