If your key is worn, order a new VIN-coded replacement from the dealer. I usually order a new VIN-coded ignition lock cylinder which will include a new key for free. Cheap insurance after 15+ years.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

looking at how convoluted is this , thank God I have a w126, is so much simpler.

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OMG, you have a W126? Those things are filled with complicated electrical devices! You should get a properly simple car like this:

Mercedes-Benz : 200-Series in Mercedes-Benz | eBay Motors

I need some help.
I replaced my broken tumbler from the ignition of a 300E without much trouble.
The ignition tumbler and sleeve came out effortlessly, thanks to some great DIY's.
For some strange reason (not the first strange thing I've done) I decided to put the sleeve back in, without the tumbler installed, to "dry run" the installation.
The sleeve went in and as I turned it to check positioning it clicked on and I can't get it off...no how.
Obviously there must be a release of some description inside because it came off with the tumbler.
Does anyone know how to release the sleeve, from inside, so I can get it off and out?
Otherwise, I'll be starting the car using a screwdriver for the forseeable future.

In the DIY I write "The key must be in position 1 and must never, never, never be moved until the whole thing is back together. If you violate this rule, the ignition switch locks internally and cannot be fixed or so Mercedes says." The same thing may have happened when you inserted the sleeve without the lock cylinder. Resolution of this problem involves major surgery by a locksmith and replacement of all parts. (I hope I'm wrong, but . . . )

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Thanks for the reply.
I did find a thread that showed that there is a pin on the top that is lifted when the release pin is inserted all the way to pull the tumbler.
I found it...pulled it...and it worked!
The sleeve is off and the tumbler in and tested...it works OK so no problem.
Thanks again

Congrats! I'm happy to be wrong.

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Tab

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1998 VW Cabrio
2001 Audi SomeRoad A/T (no air suspension)
2003 Audi DeadRoad M/T (no vroom, for later)
2002 Audi NoRoad A/T (nothing under the hood, being rebuilt)

Hello

Just recieved a new switch and tumbler from Mercedes. The switch was ~$100 and the tumbler was ~$120.

I remembered from reading your write up that the white plastic slide needed to be prayed off and installed on the new switch. Unfortunately I prayed the top off with the white slider now it will not snap back on. What am I missing?

Also the tumbler will not release from the sleeve What is the trick?

Thanks you for you help

I cannot remove the old tumbler or snap the top onto the switch

Got the top of the switch back together. The top must engage with a spring. Took some time to figure out the correct way to snap it together

Would have been soo much easier if I had followed Jeremy’s direction. Removing the white slider at the top of the switch is very easy.

Problems still persist. Can not get the tumbler out of the sleeve. I am using a wire that seems the correct size size and length and it fits on the hole and then feels like it slips under the plastic latch on the side of the tumbler but it will not release. I even tried using a vibrator as suggested in another thread.

It would be good to have instructions on rebuilding the switch. At first, after reading the Jeremy5848 wiki I thought that repairing the contacts was the best idea. But I want ahead and bought a new switch thinking that I would repair the old one but I never achieved an engineering degree like he did.