JimZ,
I think you just saved me the cost of a new tumbler/cylinder as well as a lot more frustration.

My key does seem to work fine with the the tumbler out of the car. I went out to the car, turned the wheel to engage the steering wheel lock and then tried the trusty screwdriver that serves as my temporary key. I had a hard time turning the screwdriver to start the car.

The thought of the problem being more than the tumbler seemed daunting. I then remembered one of the many posts I had printed out. I will cut and paste it at the bottom of this.

The poster related how he stuffed some paper in a gap at the back of the mechanisim to keep the dead bolt lock from actuating. He no longer has a locking steering wheel, but he did not need to replace anything and he overcame the problem.

I have now stopped the locking mechanisim from engaging in the same manner as the original poster of this method. I will test this over the next couple of days. If it works trouble free, I will leave the obstruction in place to bypass the lock mechanisim and reinstall my current tumbler.

Here's the post from 2002:190E ignition switch...

Gil
Registered Offender Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: NH
Posts: 202


JUST did this!

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Hey, I feel for you! I just came outside from fixing my ignition switch.

It locked up on me a few days ago outside of Blockbuster videos. Key would not turn, so I had it towed to a nearby shop, where they said the only option was to drill it out and replace the cylinder, and the expensive part that contains the steering wheel lock, etc. This job would run about $700 at the MB stealer, and the shop where I was wanted about $400(+/-) to do the job.

Quickly, I jumped into a nearby phone booth and changed into the superhero known as Cheap Bastard, who slayed the bill with his miserly habits. Cheap Bastard requested that they drill out the lock, but go no further. After doing this, Cheap Bastard reasoned, the car could be started with a screwdriver until funds could be found to do the job correctly.

I drove away for $95 bucks as Cheap Bastard waved and rode off into the sunset.



Now, I could have stopped there, but instead I ordered a new cylinder and key for about $38, and a new black sleeve thingy (bezel?) that screws over the lock. I saved the original chrome trim ring.

When I got home today, I found the parts on the doorstep and started the installation process, only to find that the real problem was (and likely is in your car) the dead bolt lock in the expensive part (I forget what it's called). It seems even with a new cylinder installed, the key wouldn't unlock the dead bolt and I had to take it out, moving the dead bolt away with a screw driver (it takes some practice, so be a little patient with yourself).

To keep the dead bolt from causing me any more grief, I wadded up a little bit of paper and shoved it in the gap, holding the deadbolt latch permanently in the open position. I then installed the cylinder. Using a "paper clip in the pinhole" as described in other posts, I held down the little latch on the side of the cylinder while screwing down the black bezel thingy over the keyhole.

So now i have a working key (it dsoesn't match, Cheap Bastard bought the universal one versus paying $95 for a custom ordered matching lock.)

True, my steering wheel no longer locks, but since when has that ever been a theft deterrent in the first place?

For about $150 (including the tow), a few hours of my time and some liberally applied foul language, I took care of this and you can too.

:p


Gil

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Last edited by Gil : 12-16-2002 at 06:26 PM.