HELP!! Ignition/Steering Wheel WON"T unlock!!

[danton84]

SO tonight I went to leave work in my 1981 240D and the key would not turn in the ignition and the steering wheel is stuck in lock. Between me and three other people, we messed w/ it for over an hour but w/ no luck. Need to know if the problem is w/ the ignition tumblers or in the column.
Need to get the fixed ASAP so I can get it out of the parking lot!!

[zeke]

Search function....electric sander works for some. You may have to dremel it out if you can't chet it to turn.

[MNBenz]

Like many others I had this happen, it was a few months ago. I used diesel giant's great instructions and had it fixed within 2 hours probably. The only bad part is having two keys, but for me the savings is worth it.

http://dieselgiant.com/repairignitionlock.htm

[andrewjtx]

There's really no need to buy cylinder with a new (different) key. MB dealer can order you a new tumbler from your VIN that will match your existing keys.

Sure, it's a little more. But for me it was worth it. I got mine the next day.

[John Schroader]

Had same problem a couple of years ago. Used vice grips and massage vibrator to remove key. Ordered new tumbler from MB and drove happily for two years. Then suddenly key stuck again. Vice grips and vibrator again. This time I was pretty sure that the problem was not tumbler, but rather column locking mechanism. A machinist friend helped me (or actually I watched him) fit a metal spacer in the switch that jammed the column lock into the open position. Now the steering wheel does not lock, which is of no concern to me, but the buzzer sounds off if the driver's door is open - even without the key in the ignition. A small price to pay, compared to the amount of work it saved.

[Junkman]

Originally Posted by John Schroader

but the buzzer sounds off if the driver's door is open - even without the key in the ignition. A small price to pay, compared to the amount of work it saved.

Disable the buzzer? I had the dash out of my 85SD. I think the switch is accessible if you pull the gauge cluster.

[andrewjtx]

Yeah, when I replaced mine last year, I did everything. New lock with switch, new tumbler.

Now I'm driving a different wagon with spotty records. I may just order a new cylinder for this one just to have handy. it's only money, right?

[andrewjtx]

You're assuming we don't already.

[justin.maynard2]

Is there a way to prevent this from happening? Any type of maintenance. I really don't want this happening to me because of course it will be at an inopportune time.

[Yak]

Originally Posted by justin.maynard2

Is there a way to prevent this from happening? Any type of maintenance. I really don't want this happening to me because of course it will be at an inopportune time.

If/when the key starts binding, DO NOT ignore it. Order the tumbler from the dealer.

Or you can do what the PO on my car did: drill out the tumbler and then jam some drywall screws into the steering wheel lock and unplug the buzzer. I could start my car with a stout thumbnail - of course, so could anyone else.

[andrewjtx]

One well known mechanic from the PNW believes it is caused by people hanging too many keys & crap off of their ignition.

He recommends keeping your other keys separate. I only have 4 keys total on my ring, so I don't bother. But I know on my '84 that it was a mommy wagon before me. I can only imagine the crap she had on her key ring. If it's any relation to how much crap was under the driver's seat when I first got it... OMG.

[thayer]

the only PM I can think of is PM on your brain. Go ahead and dismantle the ignition cylinder and mark where the holes are ect so you know exactly how to do it when you have a problem. It would have saved me SO much hassle if I had know how it worked going into it.