300sel ignition problem

[peter male]

hi guys, probably in the wrong place but i have a problem with the 300sel ignition. ignition switch vandalized, steering lock on, key wouldnt turn into first position to release steering lock and has been broken off inside the lock. any ideas of how to extract the ignition barrel and how to get the black palstic wire container plug at the end of the barrel to pull off? is it necessary to extract the whole unit from the car? if i'm in the wrong place can someone bump me to the right place please?

[cth350]

which 300sel, the 60s/70s W109 or 80s W126 model?

For the W109 car, you very much want the key turned to the #1 position. If the full key is broken off, then it should turn with a little help from a wide blade screw driver or a maybe a pair of pliers.

There are two styles of ignition wiring, one where the wires are screwed in and the other is a plug. The plug does just pull out, but with effort. Pry it, but gently as the old bakalite fittings will shatter. Have you removed the instrument cluster? That should help.

-CTH