Please somebody tell me what do I do next? I just need to start the car as soon as possible, it's parked in a bad spot, hopefully it won't be towed by tomorrow.
I pulled the cluster accessed and unscrewed one bolt connecting ignition housing and steering column. I did research here, lot of posts about the subject but nothing like my case. My housing is like no other on the pictures, there is no spring to push in or grind. I am thinking to cut the whole thing away from the column just so I can access some wires and short cut them for a start. i don't need the locking steering column.

Any info highly appreciated

Ignition Cylinder Tumbler replacement; mixed diesel/gas
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1065596







Have a great day.

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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
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I had this happen to my 1983 300SD at the gas station pump.

Had to have the car towed out of the gas station all the way home.
No way you will get this to work where it is parked.

I wen tthrough this and the end result as you suggested is I got completely
rid of the column lock and now have a very smooth turn of the key.

So... you do have a really small buttin to push to get the whole thing to slide off of the steering column, the problem is that it requires the key to be turned,
and the cylinder to be removed to get this thing to slide off.

I think your idea of cutting is off is possible, but it is also the mount point
for the ignition.

So how about get it towed to a safe place to work without interruption.

Seriously, I recommend patience. That column is stronger than anything in the toolbox.

As you probably experienced already that key has been finicky and works sometimes and sticks sometimes.

Somehow either use a screwdriver to use the broken key to turn that cylinder,
or get that key out and use a spare (or newly ordered ) key to work that cylinder
just one more time to position 2 to remove that collar and get it out.

I thought mine was the tumblers and all , but it wasn't.
It was the mechanism that does the steering lock.

Once you get that tumbler out you can press the flush mounted button
and release the column lock system.
Once removed you can strip out the column lock parts.

You can't even get the wiring block off the back without getting that cylinder moved.

So... get it towed, get to work gently, patiently. It wil work, it will take time.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

Sometimes a very small coping saw blade can be inserted slightly with the teeth facing out to get a grip on the broke piece for removal....
Like using the saw to cut on the pull stroke.....

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1978 Yellow 300D (The Mustard Toad)
1980 Blue 240D (The Iron Toad)
1989 Grey Mitsu.4WD Mighty Max Pickup (Needs a Diesel transplant bad)

(Open the pod bay doors HAL)

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. Will try again in the morning

I had this happen on my 240D. I ended up taking a grinder with a cutting wheel to the stem of the lock cylinder where it enters the steering column. i cut through it and removed the entire thing. Once the steering wheel was unlocked, i jumped the glowplugs to the battery and used a piece of wire to jump the starter. a bit redneck, but it got me out of a pinch. When i got home i replaced the cylinder with a used one and all was well again.

funny thing was, the cylinder i pulled from the parts car came out really easy by pressing the little button in on the stem. I wish that woulda worked on my car

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

If all else fails, a slide hammer screwed into the mechanism will definitely remove the whole thing with one slam. Ask any car booster.

You could get a complete ignition at the junkyard and be done with the problem

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)