The ignition lock wasn't fitting right and the cover with the rubber grommet would not fit properly and would fall off numerous times.

So I take the cover off of the lower dash only to find it ripped up like the rest of the car was (I probably shouldn't of been surprised...) Here are the pictures of everything. Also I know now why the column would never lock. This poor car... Oh man it was sooooooo abused..

Does anyone know where these mysterious wires plug into? Any advice on how to approach this or what to replace?

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__________________
76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Is this car a theft recovery?? looks like someone animalised it pretty well.......

had very similar abuse from the PO of my CE. This happens because the key lock is frozen or the PO doesn't know the proper disassembly.

I had to replace the steering column because the mounts were broken. Not complex but time consuming.

The wires go from the lock assembly to the buzzer, the cable is the shifter lock.

__________________
'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

If it gets to that, I have a good steering lock assembly from a 1988 300E that was parted out (No key cylinder). $40 delivered in the 48USA.

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

maybe the piece in you hand slides on ign in that slot[under white plug in pic].i think its a switch for key buzzer and seatbelt light.

LOL it was pretty darn close, you should have seen it when we first got it! They had taken the "300E" emblem off and got those 99 cent letters from autozone and put "GQ" on the back.. They spray painted the fog lights black, the hood star was missing and the grille had numerous sizable dents in it... There is a cut in the medal behind the rear seat for god knows what reason... the gas tank does not fit properly and is held on by one bolt, I cannot get it to seat properly. There was one bolt missing from the flex disc. The two speakers in the rear are gone! The center console carpet is missing.. There are also numerous mysterious wires behind the radio and ash tray that are unplugged... The rewiring for the radio it has looks so dangerous that I don't even want to mess with it... Oh man I can go on and on and on hahaha

__________________
76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Hey, it's probably going to get to that LOL.. I will PM you! Thanks

__________________
76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Yeah I guess they really wanted to get this lock out lol The weird thing is even with these unplugged the buzzer and shift lock still work I'm almost afriad to plug them back in lol I don't want it to blow up in my face caused I'd be pissed if that happened lol

__________________
76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

I was trying to figure out why the left license plate light wasn't working and I removed everything but noticed how the latch looked funny so I took the panel off only to find this!

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I also noticed both rear courtesy lights on the bottom of the doors are missing and wires cut as well as the trunk light. I think I'm going to have to get a new trunk door because it's just so messed up. I'll probably do that right before I get the car repainted which is loooong from now.

__________________
76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Looks like whoever owned this car before didnt deserve a car.

Sorry about your misfortune.

For now I would put some gaffer tape over those cuts to keep the weather out.

What were they trying to accomplish with that huge hole? Gain access to the trunk latch?

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

WOW, that car has had a tough life remember what you found under the rear seat bench.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Your going to need to replace the steering column. I had to do the same thing with my w124. Mine was broken because the PO didn't have any keys for it and had a locksmith destroy the column to remove the lock cylinder. Why not just order a new key? I tried and tried to get it to go back together with the cracked up column.... it just won't work. Mine looked just like that.

Replacing the column is not all that hard but it did draw blood more than once. Beware.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

Looks like the Terminator, forgot the keys were on the sun visor.

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Yeah, I can't keep saying enough how badly abused this thing was... How could someone do this to a car of such potential.. cutting holes it in for no apparent reason? Taking the courtesy lights out and cutting the wires doing a horrible paint job on it, slapping rims that don't fit right on it and then have the nerve to buy 99 cent letters from autozone and put "GQ" on the back and then "GQ Boys" on the rear window... What was so GQ about a car that was literally tore up from the floor up? ugh

I took the radio out to find a horrible.. HORRIBLE wiring job and yet another mysterious unplugged wire.... does anyone know where it goes?

ashedd- yeah I'm going to end up replacing the column as well, it's just too messed up and I hate how the steering wheel does not lock up.. I guess I'll be super careful, thanks for the warning! lol

Stewart, yeah dude this car has had it bad.. My goal it to make her nice again though and feel like a Mercedes should. It feels all junky right now to me

Compu85- Thanks I will do that, we've been getting some weather and it's been raining this past week which is shame I didn't know about this cuts sooner or I would have covered them up.

truckinik- hahaha seriously... I guess he realized that before he finished cutting the hole

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__________________
76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson