Steering lock is removed, how to get wires off?

[Mercedes Man]

Here is what happened to my 84 300SD. The locking cylinder jammed. I could not turn the key to any position. I could see parts of the tumbler laying inside the locking cylinder. So, I had the car towed home and proceed to drill the locking cylinder. After a couple of broken drill bits, I was able to put the switch in the run position. I hot wired the car, and it ran.

Then, I took the dash board out and found the locking pin. It was hiding behind the dash. I push the locking pin in and removed the steering lock. At this point, I thought it would easy to remove the wires. I pushed the three tabs in, but no luck. Does this plug come out really hard? Could it be locked in yet?

By the way, how does the cap come off of the locking cylinder. I have been taking a wire and pushing it in the little hole on the cylinder face. It does not seem to go in anywhere. Any hints?

[Mercedes Man]

I got the plug off of the switch.

How do you get the black cap off?

[Gilly]

If you can't turn the key in the ignition, you might as well order a new black cap. Did you break the end of the harness when you disconnected it from the ignition switch?

Gilly

[Mercedes Man]

No, I did not break harness. I can turn the cylinder with a screw driver to all positions. The problem is that I cannot get the black cap off. I have been poking around with a wire throught the little hole. I can see the wiring going into the cylinder because I dug out the tumblers.

[Gilly]

The cylinder has to be turned one click the the right (position "1" as MB calls it, position "0" is "off"), then a wire is pushed down into the hole and that releases the cap. If you can't turn the lock cylinder, you might as well order a new balck cap, it isn't expensive. Usually if you can't turn the key in the lock you damage the connector for the ignition switch, that's the only reason I asked, but the connector piece is available as a seperate part (actually 2 parts)

Gilly

[Mercedes Man]

Here is a picture of the cylinder I got out. As you can see, I destroyed it. But, you can see the wire hole for the detent. I have purchased a new cylinder, lock, and cap.