I've read here before about ignition keys not being able to be turned to start the car. Jiggle and keep trying until you can finally get the key to budge and start the car.

Well, my 300SD - 1985 started doing this. Always at the most inconvient times. I figured out that the steering wheel lock mechanism caused the binding. Like when the lock was pressed in, the key would turn freely, but sometimes when the steering wheel lock was engaged, the key would stick.

Easy fix, I hammered the end where the steering wheel lock engages the steering wheel, and flattened it out so that the steering wheel lock never engages. By keeping the locking mechanism from engaging, my key always turns.

This was a last resort, as I had tried cleaning and oiling the mechanism, but nothing short of taking it apart would work. And I really didn't want to get into the lock mechanism.



Marty