Well, it finally happened. Wife drove the car about 8 miles away and there it sits. Ignition tumbler won't move. From the looks of the details of the removal/replacement job (for tumbler not turning) in the Haynes manual, this problem is no joy to fix. I can't seem to find the job in any of the factory manuals - is it there?

Looks like www.dieselgiant.com has a lengthy and helpful write-up. Anything anyone would like to add? I'd sure appreciate the help. I replaced the cylinder head on this vehicle and survived it successfully (so did the car, thankfully), so hopefully I can handle this one successfully. Looks like I'll have to get the vehicle towed back home. With the steering wheel locked, will I have to have it put on the truck's bed? Or just lift up the front wheels?

I'll gratefully accept any advice on this one. Thanks-

This just happened on my 84 SD- with a 123 tumbler in the 126 steering lock. My friend had the car at the time and sprayed wd40 in the lock and let it sit for awhile and went back later to try it and sure enough, got it to turn.

If you get it to turn again, by all means do not remove that key unless you're taking the tumbler out with it!

my SD now has the matching ignition tumbler in it as well now, finally!

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Thanks for the tip on this. I'm leaving now to go put some WD-40 in tonight and then try it tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed.

yesterday I went by the dealer and tried to order a new tumbler for the one twenty three and he said my vin was no good. I looked again and found that the number I gave him was correct.

Anybody had this experience?

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

TW,

Something is screwed up at the dealer level
(Mis-entered your VIN...Off in Inner Space...Who knows?)
If it's the Aluminum Tag at the A pillar and "They" won't take it,they're wrong.

Call the Nice Folks at 1-800 222-0100 And I'll bet they will recognize your VIN.

DOGGUY,

Act of desperation...A member had luck with a hand sander...'clamped the key in the sander and then successfully turned the key to the correct position for
tumbler removal.(Vibrations are not all Evil)

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

You know why this worked right? look up bump-9 on youtube. There are some really cool videos on cutting broken MB/BMW, etc tumblers out.

Call classic parts.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Yep,my "79" 240 vin indicates I can not get a key and tumbler to match the rest of the locks in the car. I checked two MB dealers, "NA" so I bought the generic tumbler.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I've got a full matching lockset from an '80 euro 300D.... L & R doors (tumblers are still in the door handles), ignition, trunk AND locking fuel cap, 2 keys (one factory, one not) w/ an expired registration paper so that you can order more keys from the dealer, (I've already done this successfully) for $80 + ship, PM if interested.

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Cheers,
Robert

Usually disassembling the whole thing and spraying the steering lock pin with wd40 takes care of the job for me.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

To test if the problem is the tumbler or steering lock you can remove the tumbler and try to operate it in your hand. If it works properly then the issue is in the lock mechanism.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine