Ventng About My Ingnition Swith - W124 1989

[mcameron]

Last Saturday morning, I ran my neighbor to the DMV and afterwards we went to a few of dealerships looking at cars. Needless to say there was some stopping and starting with my 300E because of our moving around.

Not once did my ignition switch hint at a problem during these starts. I make it back home later that morning, do some errands around the house and now I 'm ready to head out to my toy store (Best Buy). I unlock the door, sit down, attempt to slide my key into the ignition, but my key only goes into the ignition halfway. Bewildered I slide the key out and try inserting the key again. Same thing. I reluctantly forced the key in and it went in with just a little force. Now the key will not turn. After trying to start the car for about 15 minutes, I give up, get in the other car and then I'm off to Best Buy.

While I'm out, I'm thinking about what could be the cause, so I'm going through my mind about resolutions on unsticking the ignition. I get back home and I am back to trying.

To shorten the story, it is now a week later, and still no movement. However I have contacted several mechanics regarding my situation. My 1st mechanic contacted is excellent and reliable, he does the majority of the work that I cannot do myself (which is most), but he informs me that he would have to see the car. I then call my Indy shop nearby and he tells me pretty much the same, but warns me to get the key at least into Position 1 because it will make things easier and less expensive, but if not he'll be able to do it but I will have a separate key for the ignition than the rest of the car (I don't want that).

Then I contact the dealership and I'm throwed back about the cost. They quoted me $396 just to drill the ignition to get it out and $150 for the assembly. $550 just to replace my inginition in a 20 year old car! I love my car but, D!@#m!

This morning, I have tried everything again, turning the steering wheel left & right, up & down while turning the ignition along with any other trick I've read on and off forum but with no success.

I just can't believe I have to shell out this amount of money, but after seeing the DIY's on this forum about how to do this, I may be getting off good because I am not that confident in my DIY skillset.