I just purchased 1989 190d from Carl who is a forum member. Ignition key is stuck in the cylinder. The key will start and shut off the engine but cannot be removed from the cylinder. This car was an automatic but has since been converted to a manual transmission.

Thinking about this problem, I suspect that there is a sensor does keeping the key locked in the ignition. I am assuming that the automatic being in any gear other then park will keep the key locked in the ignition until the car is in park. Not knowing how the previous owner installed the new transmission and he what he did with the sensor, my assumption is that is why I am not able to remove the key.

Going over my post that I see that I have made many assumptions but what the hell I'm not rewriting it. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can remedy the situation, please post it here. Thanks.

Ignition tumblers and steering lock systems are a problem on a lot of Mercedes of that era as they age.

That is a purely mechanical system that wears out, and you want to tackle any key problems before it decides to seize up, which turns it into a bear of a job.

And bear, not like Winnie the Pooh, but full on raging grizzly raping Leonardo de Caprio in The Revenant. So it's a good idea to tackle this while that key is still turning.

Sometimes its a few pins in the cylinder that are stuck, have you tried spraying some lube in there while jiggling it up and down?

Some people have tried applying vibration on the key head via a variety of methods and got it unstuck.

Or try turning it from position 0 to 1 and 2 and back and combining the above.

If that doesnt work you can pull the cylinder with the key still attached.

Procedure below is for a W124 but is the same for your car:

PeachPartsWiki: Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement

I tend to agree with your thoughts. Some mechanical linkage to make sure the automatic was in park before the key can be removed. Is a real possibility to me. Of course not certain but where I would examine first.


I could easily be wrong of course as when I thought I won the lotto. Worse kind of dream to wake up from. Your filthy rich one minute and just filthy the next.

A cable runs between the automatic shifter to the side of the ignition housing. It needs to be pushed in to release the key. Maybe you could find the cable end and experiment for a suitable solution for pushing and pulling the cable.

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Thank you for those replies. I will look into the suggestions. Barry, that sucks about the lotto. I feel your pain.

Ignition is out. In multiple pieces. Not done by me ... the Breaking part. Seems to be the original key. It will lock the trunk. It will turn in the door locks but not actually pull the locks down. Thank you for all the pointers

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