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  #1  
Old 01-22-2006, 10:20 PM
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Can cold weather make the igintion switch hard to turn?, 1982 300D

1982, 300D

Hi, guys.

About a month ago when we actually had some cold weather around here (mid-20s), I noticed that it was very difficult to turn my ignition key. I figured it was time to get a new switch or lock tumbler.

Well, since it's warmed up I've noticed that it doesn't have difficulty turning now. Is this just coincidence, or is it more likely that the ignition switch is going bad, and just happens to be turning okay at this point in time?

Thanks,

Pete.

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  #2  
Old 01-22-2006, 11:16 PM
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Explain "difficult to turn"??

Is it difficult to get the steering lock to release so you can rotate the key??

Or, is it difficult to rotate the key (cylinder rotation) once the pins engage??

Do you know the trick to allow the lock to release?????
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Old 01-22-2006, 11:45 PM
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If the lock is just very stiff when you turn it probably the PO lubricated it with grease or oil that has gotten dirty and is stiffening up as the temp drops. Graphite is really the only thing to use in locks since it won't stiffen up. You may want to remove the tumbler (as Brian suggested),clean it and lube with some graphite. If your problem is the key "hangs up" and won't turn unless you wiggle it then it's your lock wearing out. If so you'll need to get a new tumbler from the dealer and replace it.
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Old 01-22-2006, 11:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrg
............your problem is the key "hangs up" and won't turn unless you wiggle it then it's your lock wearing out. If so you'll need to get a new tumbler from the dealer and replace it.
.........tumbler sitting in storage drawer.........somewhere in garage..........thread reminded me..........yet again...........that I better............get off my ass.................and get this tumbler installed in SD..............grrrrr............
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Old 01-22-2006, 11:56 PM
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Good idea Brian. I waited on the 124 when the key got tricky to turn until it stranded my wife and I had to come get her. I let her drive home in my car and stayed behind knowing I could get it to work . I did but it took me an hour (literally) of wiggling. I fixed it that night. It doesn't pay to wait.
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Old 01-23-2006, 12:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrg
I fixed it that night. It doesn't pay to wait.
........bet you went under the hood to shut it down.
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Old 01-23-2006, 12:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton
........bet you went under the hood to shut it down.

You got that right. Fortunately I, like you, already had the tumbler, I was just too lazy to fix it because we could always get it to turn with a little wiggling....until we couldn't. I was lucky to get the second chance. The actual fix only took about 20 minutes (as opposed to the hour I spent fooling with it).
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Old 01-23-2006, 12:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrg
You got that right. Fortunately I, like you, already had the tumbler, I was just too lazy to fix it because we could always get it to turn with a little wiggling....until we couldn't. I was lucky to get the second chance. The actual fix only took about 20 minutes (as opposed to the hour I spent fooling with it).
Yep.........my exact problem. I'm doing it this week. Hopefully I can fashion a suitable wire to release the pins.
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Old 01-23-2006, 12:30 AM
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A small allen wrench worked for me. I could pick the size that fit and it was plenty stiff. It still took me some wiggling and pulling to get the tumbler out. I think others have had an easier time of it. Good luck.
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Old 01-23-2006, 12:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrg
A small allen wrench worked for me. I could pick the size that fit and it was plenty stiff. It still took me some wiggling and pulling to get the tumbler out. I think others have had an easier time of it. Good luck.
Thanks.......I'll try that. Supposedly you needed a piece of 12 guage copper with a 70 degree taper on the nose. I can make this.......if necessary.

Did you have any problems rotating the outside ring? The bent neddlenose have been mentioned as the best choice here.
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Old 01-23-2006, 12:38 AM
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Maybe the lack of taper was why I had a hard time. You may need something stiffer than copper because I found I had to push pretty hard. I used "bent" needlenose with a rag so I wouldn't chew up the collar. Once I got it started it came off pretty easily.
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Old 01-23-2006, 12:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrg
Maybe the lack of taper was why I had a hard time. You may need something stiffer than copper because I found I had to push pretty hard. I used "bent" needlenose with a rag so I wouldn't chew up the collar. Once I got it started it came off pretty easily.
The 12 guage solid wire is quite stiff, especially if it's trapped within a narrow passageway. I might try it. I do need to pick up some bent neddlenose before I attempt this project.

Thanks for the tips. Can't get too much advice on this one, for sure.
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  #13  
Old 01-28-2006, 04:26 PM
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Well, thanks to the urging of Irg, I did my tumbler today.

Not a bad job, however, I could not get 12 guage or 14 guage solid copper wire to fit. Both were too large. I found a flat jewelers screwdriver with a .050" head and it did a fine job of wedging itself in there and releasing the cam.

Turning the collar was a bit of a PITA. I used some needle nosed vise grips with some tape on the jaws, but, it still was no fun.

I remain confused on how many threads engage on the collar. When removing the collar, I must have turned it 10 times (need to release cam on each go around). But, I sense that I was turning fruitlessly and the threads had already disengaged after four or five turns.

Going back in, I find that the collar turned 3 1/2 times and stopped. I had to back it off about 1/2 turn to return to proper alignment with the cam tooth.

I was on borrowed time with the old tumbler. When it came out, it separated into two sections. Thanks again, Irg, for the push. Otherwise............I'd be SOL.

Job takes about 1 hour with all the fiddling around.

So, a word to the wise............If you are fiddling with that keyswitch to get the key to turn.........better head over to the dealer.........pronto! Waiting any longer would have cost me a bunch of time and money.
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  #14  
Old 01-28-2006, 08:49 PM
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I guess that the pins could get a little stiff in the cold, I have seen that happen before. If you have any doubt about the cylinder change it while the key still turns.

http://dieselgiant.com/repairignitionlock.htm

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