It just started over the weekend, the key gets stuck and wont turn. If I jiggle it, it finally turns over. Are the tumblers going bad? Do I need to go ahead and find an ignition cylinder? Thanks!

Josh

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1983 240 D-SOLD
1979 300SD

You need to turn the key to position #1...........for the last time.........and leave it there.

Disconnect the battery to prevent it from losing charge.

Then order a new lock cylinder from the dealer using your VIN and proof of ownership.

DO NOT drive the vehicle or return the key to the 0 position after you get it to the #1 position for the last time.

Failure to follow this advice will be an $800. mistake.

Oh...The bad memories returns...I too had that same problem with my 300SD i sloved by drilling the crap out of that tumbler, then break that locking mechinism that holds the black barrel, and it took me a good long weekend... also when you remove that tumbler i would advice to remove the housing and take that steering lock bar out, It makes life easier W/O it...

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

ditto....ditto. Yep had that nightmare with the 84 and spent a very long day drilling with carbide tipped drill bits laying on my back.
The "locking pin" that retains the lock cylinder can only be depressed when the key is in position #1. You need to replace those cylinders with the first signs of key hangin up

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FRED

Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K
Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini
Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K
87 300SDL, 251K
94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K

As an alternative, remove the tumbler now and use a screwdriver to start it until the new tumbler arrives. When mine started acting up, my indy gave me a "loaner" tumbler to use until the correct one came from the dealer.

Thanks guys!!!! I got it in the first position and disconnected the battery. I have removed one of those before and in fact, started it with a screwdriver.... but I forgot how to remove that cylinder. Don't I need some sort of pin to stick in there when I have it in the first position?

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1983 240 D-SOLD
1979 300SD

You need to use a wire (paper clip) through the small hole in the tumbler to release a little internal clip. That will allow you to unscrew the ring around the tumble and pull out the entire assembly.

Thanks Craig!

Josh

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1983 240 D-SOLD
1979 300SD

Having the same problem here with the 240D. Now I'm down to 1 out of 3 on useable vehicles. So you have to have the key in the "1" position to remove the lock cylinder? Where does the pin go? I should probably search, since I remember reading the whole procedure somewhere back when I first got my 300.

I guess I'll let the 240 sit until I get a new cylinder from the dealer. Maybe I'll have the gasser running by then.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

There is a tiny hole on the edge of the tumbler, if you can get the key to turn to #1, insert a paper clip until you feel a catch release, then unscrew the ring surounding the tumbler while keeping the paper clip in place.

www.dieselgiant.com has a DIY on the process.

John

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
2002 F250 powerstroke with Plantdrive WVO conversion
1983 300SD 190K miles ,sold
2006 E320 CDI

Thanks. I just looked it over. I'm really hoping I can get the key to turn one more time so I don't have to go through the whole "stuck key" routine.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I hope you can turn the key. Try spraying graphite lock lubricant in the tumbler, use a dremel tool to vibrate with the key in, jiggle the key, etc. If you can turn it to the #1 position leave it there like a previous posted said. I found that using an allen wrench was easier than a paper clip to depress the locking mechanism in the collar.

Good luck.

John

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
2002 F250 powerstroke with Plantdrive WVO conversion
1983 300SD 190K miles ,sold
2006 E320 CDI

I had to move the white car today to make room for the tow truck that was moving my gasser to a shop. Key wouldn't turn, so I pushed it. Putting it back, I decided to try the key again. This time it turned. I took the car on a few short errands (left it running) and then parked it at my house and started trying to get the lock cylinder out. It was at this time that I noticed my 240D's ignition lock is different from my 300, and from the 300 in Diesel Giant's pictorial. The 240 doesnt' have the big black steel ring, and I'm not seeing the place to put the paperclip. It has a black plastic cover, which I removed, and under that was a snap ring, which I also removed. The lock cylinder doesn't come out with the snap ring removed, and it looks like it's held on with a silver ring that has nubs for a spanner wrench or something. I tried putting a screwdriver to one of these and giving it a few light taps with a hammer, but nothing moved. What gives?

Oh, bad news, dealer doesn't think they can get me a new lock cylinder. They'll call tomorrow with a definate answer.

Good news, with the cover and the snap ring off, the key turns relatively easily.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I don't know, it sounds like your 77 is different than either of mine? Also, if the dealer can't get it, that implies it's different.