ignition stuck - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ivandrocco · #1 02-10-2012, 03:58 PM

i know there are tons of threads on this, just want to give the details and ask some questions.

Started the car just fine, stopped on a downhill slope to take a photo, hopped back in the car, steering wheel and ignition are locked. Won't budge. Tried for 45 minutes, rolled the car down the hill a ways in neutral, nothing, won't budge. Called AAA, they towed it to a friends house, they couldn't get it to turn either.

AAA guy thinks a pin isn't dropping. The key does feel like its slipping in more easily.

I put a piece of metal into the chuck of a drill with a clutch, slid it into the lock and hoped the vibrations would get it unstuck. Nothing!

So... a few posts said to just wrench on the steering wheel. Should i be afraid of breaking anything by just hulking on it? Otherwise, what are my options?

I do not care about using the key for the ignition. No one is going to steal it. Can i just break it somehow so it will turn with a screwdriver?

ivandrocco · #2 02-12-2012, 05:00 PM

So after reading more about stuck locks and ignitions, i grabbed some electrical contact cleaner and PB graphite lubricant.

I read here that graphite lubricant is very expensive. The PB stuff is about $5 a can.

I sprayed the contact cleaner into the lock, waited ten minutes and went at it with the graphite lubricant. Tried the spare key, and... no luck.

Going to try ripping off the plastic from the key and putting it in a drill to vibrate the tumbler some more. Then i'll try tapping on the assembly from behind the dash, as detailed in another thread.

I still have a few questions though, hopefully one of you can answer:

If the steering wheel and ignition are both locked, how do i know which one is stuck? This happened on a hill, and it seems more likely that the steering wheel lock engaged. The key does feel like it lacks resistance though.

What a PITA. Any last resorts before taking everything apart?

jack avant · #3 02-12-2012, 05:21 PM

I went and bought an orbital sander from Harbor freight and it did the trick. Both the steering wheel and ignition were stuck. Sander was $15. Best money ever spent. Good luck

kerry · #4 02-12-2012, 05:54 PM

Steering wheel lock is just a bar that's activated by the key turning. If the key doesn't turn, it's unlikely it's the bar. I second the idea of using an orbital sander. I don't think contact cleaner will make any difference. You could try flushing the mechanism repeatedly with WD-40 to get dirt out, then try the lubricant and the orbital sander. You may need to drop the column, drill out the pin and remove the whole assembly. It's not that big of a deal. Maybe an hours worth of work.

ivandrocco · #5 02-12-2012, 06:56 PM

Is there an advantage to the orbital sander beyond what I'm doing with the cordless drill clutch?

kerry · #6 02-12-2012, 07:11 PM

Vibrations are a lot more frequent in a sander I think.

kerry · #7 02-12-2012, 07:21 PM

By the way, once you turn it, you need to be prepared to put something in the hole, press down the dog and unscrew the security ring because you may only be able to turn it once.

ivandrocco · #8 02-13-2012, 09:55 AM

so if I can turn the key and remove the tumbler, do I have to replace it, or can I disable it so that I can turn it with anything?

kerry · #9 02-13-2012, 09:58 AM

I believe you could turn the remaining part with a large straight screwdriver.

oldsinner111 · #10 02-13-2012, 10:10 AM

I had to drill my lock out,started with small bit,worked my way up to large bit,took 3 days.Be sure and buy tumbler here.I went thru 3 ignition switches before buying one here.My tumbler and switch were bad

ivandrocco · #11 02-13-2012, 10:13 AM

did you drill it out while still in place? or did you break everything down?

kerry · #12 02-13-2012, 10:21 AM

3 days of drilling is not worth it. You can have the whole ignition assembly in about an hour. The one major stumbling block could be that if the electrical connection has the locking T on it, it may be difficult to separate the electrical back part from the mechanical front part. I think the only option in a case like that is to forcibly break that T in order to separate the two. Others with more experience on this should comment.

tbomachines · #13 02-13-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

3 days of drilling is not worth it. You can have the whole ignition assembly in about an hour. The one major stumbling block could be that if the electrical connection has the locking T on it, it may be difficult to separate the electrical back part from the mechanical front part. I think the only option in a case like that is to forcibly break that T in order to separate the two. Others with more experience on this should comment.

X2, not worth it. The best way to go about it is to drill the pin out holding it to the steering wheel and remove the assembly. Takes an hour or so if you're good at it, took me several, since I dropped the steering column for more room and generally was unsure of how to get at the assembly. The electrical portion has to be cut out of the housing if you don't have access via tumbler. I had to do this when my tumbler was jammed stuck. I just taped it all back together and it lasted until the car was scrapped.