1983 300SD:

I experienced a stuck ignition lock and went about following the Diesel Giant guide to fix the problem. I was able to grind down the steering lock pin, remove the assembly, but could not get the key to go to position II. (the necessary position to insert the pin and remove the security collar.) I worked on getting the key to turn for a good hour, using many methods listed in the postings here with zero success (sander for vibration, turning upside down, using wd-40, using valet key).

I then tried removing the electrical plug on the back of the unit. I drilled out the pins on the shroud to separate the electrical plug, therefore hopefully releasing any more pressure (it might help with overcoming the stuck pins??) Turns out, I was wrong and now have an ignition lock in the current state below (see picture). I sincerely doubt the tumbler will ever turn with the key.


Any ideas of what to do now to remove the security collar? Anyone ever try and cut it free with a dremel tool? I'd rather not have to buy a replacement ignition housing as they are going for around $200! You really have to hand it to the Germans, definitely one solid ignition piece.

Please help!

Attached Thumbnails

   

Now that you've honed your skills...

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

My 1983 300SD got stuck while I was parked at the pumps filling up.

After having it towed home.. thinking it was the tumbler/lock that
was keeping it from turning it turned out to be the steering column lock
causing all the problems. At least for me.

I got to your stage and got that stearing column lock pin out of the way
and this allowed the key to turn once again, I removed the collar.
Removed all the guts related to steering column lock.

There is a nother thread on here about this process.
I rememebr the tag line being smooth as butta' - describing
how easily the ignition turns once all the stuff is removed.

Worst case scenario: An Ebay ignition housing for $40 and a
dealer ordered tumbler assembly that matches your VIN for maybe $80.

You are heading in the right direction though trying to get that key to turn just once
so you can get that collar off.
But see if wiggling, pulling, pushing the steering lock pin doesn't free that up.

__________________
80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

Remove the vacuum switch (two small 6 or 8mm nuts) . It could be binding up on the cam that activates it. That's what it sounds like to me as it happened in my 300SD-- the key would go to the 'II' position but not all the way to 'start'

__________________
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a dremel with the black cut off discs will make quick work of that hardened collar,i managed to do mine without taking the lock assy out of the car.Little fine steel powder made a mess so out of the car is not so bad. Don

__________________
Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

the ignition key in my '82 w123 (240d) failed to work. i took dieselgiant.com advice (thank you!!!) on grinding down the pin potruding into the steering column. regardless the key still did not work! i bypassed the system by removing the vacuum lines and plugging them before starting...
glowplugs don't work but a squirt of WD40 does it everytime... I just short connectors on starter ad it comes right up
and unplugging the vacuum lines to kill the car!

my question is will continued use in this state cause any damage to the electrical sys or otherwise???

thank you for any input!
john