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  #1  
Old 05-16-2001, 12:13 AM
atamians
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Recently someone tried to steal my car. In the process, they did quite a bit of damage.

1. Has anyone replaced their ignition switch and steering wheel lock ? The transmission cable seems to be fine, but the rest of the assembly is beat up pretty badly. One good thing. The key will go in and turn the lock slightly but not enough to to unlock the transmission.

I also could use some help on the wiring layout. They pulled every wire off the switch

2. There is an electronic box under the dash on the left side of the steering column. It has a large black knob on it and it turns about 300 degrees from the ("I" on) to ("O" off). I have no idea what this is. Any help?

Thanks Chris

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  #2  
Old 05-16-2001, 12:37 AM
atamians
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Clarification

I posted this request after only one cup of coffee. I must apologize because many people put alot of effort into their posts and there is a ton of info if you search. I did read the archives and got quite a bit of information on removal of the steering lock and ignition switch but I need a place to start.

How do you make the call to just cut the thing out or to try to get it out nicely? What is the U shaped tool I've read about?

What I should have asked was, is there anyone with experience on the W124 steering lock that would mind working mw through this project?

Thanks again

Chris
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  #3  
Old 05-16-2001, 08:11 AM
atamians
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More Info

After working on the car today, I've noticed the collar that holds the steering wheel lock has been bent back. I guess this was how they defeated the locking mechanism.
(The steering wheel turns now regardless of the key position)

Okay so now I am looking at replacing the column as well. Does this change the way I should proceed. Maybe it would be easier if I just pulled the entire column out with the ignition in place.

I have to change both outside locks as well, will a column and door locks from another 124 fit, maybe I can get an entire package from a salvage yard.

Any thoughts?

Chris
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  #4  
Old 05-16-2001, 09:23 PM
someguyfromMaryland
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Chris,

I have had some experience with the steering column lock assembly. Depending on how much you are willing to do yourself and how nicely you want it to turn out there are several options. Yes you can mix and match lock cylinders. Why, other than to save a few $$ and create hassles? If you go through a dealer or one of the reputable on-line parts sources (good time for a PartsShop plug, eh?), you can get a replacement lock cylinder for any point on your car to match the original key that came with the car. This has the added beauty of being able to order a new key from any source in the parts system and getting the right key from just the VIN.

As far as the column goes, the steering lock, key cylinder, and ignition switch are all separate assemblies that fit together to make the ignition switch assembly. The whole shebang can be replaced for about $200. The steering lock drives a rod into the steering column to lock it in place. If the steering column isn't damaged, you can replace this assembly and possibly any trim that was ripped out in the theft and you're on your way. If the column itself was screwed up, you can replace that as well for whatever you can find one for in a boneyard.

This is one of those jobs that really needs a manual to do correctly. I don't have a scanner, so you probably want to find the chassis manuals or the cd's to guide you, unless someone else can scan the pages to you.

Good luck, the CE is a particularly nice model that always has caught my eye.
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  #5  
Old 05-16-2001, 09:26 PM
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Chris, I would think you can get a new ignition switch from the dealership, that is matched to your exisiting key, unless you have to change the door locks because they too were trashed by the thieves.

I am thinking that if you have to replace the whole column, then you probably wouldn't have a reason to remove the current switch too. Btu I dont know how these things work.

You may just be better off taking it to a professional who can do the work in a short time, but if you want to tackle it yourself, then I wish you the best of luck.

I know if it happened to me I would be upset and would not want to look at it until it was all back in one piece.

I'm the kind of person that would probably enjoy repairing it myself, but in that kind of situation I'd rather leave it to the pro's.

hopefully someone with some knowledge on this will answer you soon, but definately keep us posted. I'm interested to see how this turns out.

Alon
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  #6  
Old 05-17-2001, 12:52 AM
atamians
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The first step was to take it to the dealer. Of course the repair estimate came to over $7000. The insurance company decided that it would cheaper to call the car a total loss. They paid me off and then.... Let me keep the car.

The estimate had thousands of dollars in labor costs, so I've decided to try this one myself.

So far:

I've removed the dash, It needs to be replaced, but the wood trim is salvageable. The instrument cluster is fine, but one of the vents has been broken.

I've removed the steering column with everything attached, most of it needs to be replaced. The collar for the ignition switch has been bent back, the cylinder itself looks to be trashed, the wheel is ok and the multi-function switch looks ok. (The driver's door lock is trashed as well)

I've removed the Center Console and Transmission linkage, both need to be replaced.

There is some damage to the under dash wiring and the right rear window is not a window anymore..... These two items are probably not an issue.

The biggest challenge facing me now is finding an acceptable donor. In Europe, few cars were purchased with leather, and the CE-24 was not that common. I believe all 124's are the same up front, so that may help.

I still have two questions.

How does the rear view mirror come off and what is the metallic box under the dash on the driver's side. (It has a knob on the front with on/off markers. The knob rotates about 300 degrees to turn it off.
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  #7  
Old 05-17-2001, 06:48 PM
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MBenzNL
 
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The rear view mirror has to be pulled off; it is clamped tight by a spring.
Is it possible that the metallic box belongs to the cruise control (which is under the dash at the driver side as well).
You can order all kind of locks by chassis# at your local dealer and the euro prices are very reasonable.
All W124 share the same dashes, so it doesn't matter whether you can or cannot find a leather optioned donor. Even my 300CE24 conv has the same dash as the average 200D (that is used as a taxi...)
W124s can be found on every salvage yard in europe (where do you live...Italy, isn't it?) and finding under dash parts should be fairly simple.

The W124 interior is not that hard to work on...

good luck & greetingz,
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  #8  
Old 05-17-2001, 11:51 PM
atamians
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ITALY

I am an american but I live in Naploli. I have been here for one year, but I lived here for 5 years in the 80's. Sometimes I think I may be becoming Napolitan.

Thanks for the help on the mirror, so far things have been straight forward replacement.

As for the box under the dash. I'll need to look at it more closely. The car did not come equiped with cruise control and the fact that the box has an on/off switch on it leads me to think it's something else.

I've seen your site with the pics of the 300 CONV.. Very nice. I thought you were headed to the states for a little while. That would have been a great ride there.

Can you tell me what exactly your planning on doing with the MOD to 94 E class. I'm at a point where interior mods may be an option.

Thanks

Chris

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  #9  
Old 05-21-2001, 05:50 PM
MBenzNL's Avatar
MBenzNL
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: the Netherlands
Posts: 1,417
I wish I were...

...in Amerika!
I was promised to get some work in the states during one year with several different offices of the company I work for (they promised that after I wanted to resign to get a 2-year job in Spain), but since the US economy sucks at the moment they postponed this project (which is the reason why I have a lot of time to modify my cars...I took some weeks off).

I have changed the head light lenses, front indicators and taillights. I have a W124 E class hood, but the paint shop messed up the exact color so it has to be repainted again to match the original color...I will change the rear bumper and front bumper trim later on when I am sure that I will go to the states. The car is a German papered car, but is currently not registered in Germany (or in the Netherlands), so it can only be used with temporary car-shop license plates.
This car was meant to be used in the states and as long as I am in the Netherlands, it is just of no-use. I stopped modifying the car and took apart my 300SL to give it a model 97 update.

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D
with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com
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