have been having trouble with the tumbler/switch assembly. have not removed key in probably a couple of years. if someone other than i removes the key, usual result is my playing with the bugger for minutes trying to get the key to turn. today, as per great instructions provided by 'diesel giant' and others, i removed the tumbler. it works fine. my problem lies in the 'switch' assembly. please correct me if i am in error. but seems to me if i depress the little 'thingie' at the bottom - where the tumbler mates with the switch assembly, i can rotate same with a screw driver. question. what prevents me from sticking something in there to depress permanently the tab? sorry if this is confusing. i tried my best to explain. thank you.

bump.

If you're problem isn't with the tumbler, then is it the steering lock? I'm not sure exactly what you mean by switch assembly. Usually the problem is with the steering lock or, more often, the tumbler.

If you're talking about keeping the spring depressed, I'm not sure whether that would work once the key was removed.

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Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

I'm fighting the same problem.
Interesting idea.

Another suggestion made here is to leave the wheel a bit cocked so the column lock does not engage.
Sees to work well (when I remember).

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Bill

'82 300SD 195K
'84 300SD 199K

I was able to use a scredriver on mine without a lock at all. Although I strongly suggest finding a parts car with a working lock. I hear JFMan has one (since I just left him with one).....

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

This is exactly what I do. Kind of a PITA if I forget, but I really don't have the patience to deal with it at the moment.

Yeah anything wrong with that ignition you left me ??

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1985 300D : the clean one 180k miles - Now passed onto my parents.
2000 E39 M5
2002 e46 330xit
1991 mustang notch (project)
1970 chevelle (project)

I had the exact same problem 2 days ago. I jst drilled a hole into the steering lock thing while holding the pin in, then broke the bit in the hole, blocking the pin from ever coming out. Its working great now.