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ignition stuck
i know there are tons of threads on this, just want to give the details and ask some questions.
Started the car just fine, stopped on a downhill slope to take a photo, hopped back in the car, steering wheel and ignition are locked. Won't budge. Tried for 45 minutes, rolled the car down the hill a ways in neutral, nothing, won't budge. Called AAA, they towed it to a friends house, they couldn't get it to turn either. AAA guy thinks a pin isn't dropping. The key does feel like its slipping in more easily. I put a piece of metal into the chuck of a drill with a clutch, slid it into the lock and hoped the vibrations would get it unstuck. Nothing! So... a few posts said to just wrench on the steering wheel. Should i be afraid of breaking anything by just hulking on it? Otherwise, what are my options? I do not care about using the key for the ignition. No one is going to steal it. Can i just break it somehow so it will turn with a screwdriver?
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1984 300CD |
#2
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updates
So after reading more about stuck locks and ignitions, i grabbed some electrical contact cleaner and PB graphite lubricant.
I read here that graphite lubricant is very expensive. The PB stuff is about $5 a can. I sprayed the contact cleaner into the lock, waited ten minutes and went at it with the graphite lubricant. Tried the spare key, and... no luck. Going to try ripping off the plastic from the key and putting it in a drill to vibrate the tumbler some more. Then i'll try tapping on the assembly from behind the dash, as detailed in another thread. I still have a few questions though, hopefully one of you can answer: If the steering wheel and ignition are both locked, how do i know which one is stuck? This happened on a hill, and it seems more likely that the steering wheel lock engaged. The key does feel like it lacks resistance though. What a PITA. Any last resorts before taking everything apart?
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1984 300CD |
#3
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I went and bought an orbital sander from Harbor freight and it did the trick. Both the steering wheel and ignition were stuck. Sander was $15. Best money ever spent. Good luck
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#4
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Steering wheel lock is just a bar that's activated by the key turning. If the key doesn't turn, it's unlikely it's the bar. I second the idea of using an orbital sander. I don't think contact cleaner will make any difference. You could try flushing the mechanism repeatedly with WD-40 to get dirt out, then try the lubricant and the orbital sander. You may need to drop the column, drill out the pin and remove the whole assembly. It's not that big of a deal. Maybe an hours worth of work.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#5
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Is there an advantage to the orbital sander beyond what I'm doing with the cordless drill clutch?
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1984 300CD |
#6
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Vibrations are a lot more frequent in a sander I think.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#7
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By the way, once you turn it, you need to be prepared to put something in the hole, press down the dog and unscrew the security ring because you may only be able to turn it once.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#8
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so if I can turn the key and remove the tumbler, do I have to replace it, or can I disable it so that I can turn it with anything?
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1984 300CD |
#9
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I believe you could turn the remaining part with a large straight screwdriver.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#10
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I had to drill my lock out,started with small bit,worked my way up to large bit,took 3 days.Be sure and buy tumbler here.I went thru 3 ignition switches before buying one here.My tumbler and switch were bad
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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran |
#11
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did you drill it out while still in place? or did you break everything down?
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1984 300CD |
#12
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3 days of drilling is not worth it. You can have the whole ignition assembly in about an hour. The one major stumbling block could be that if the electrical connection has the locking T on it, it may be difficult to separate the electrical back part from the mechanical front part. I think the only option in a case like that is to forcibly break that T in order to separate the two. Others with more experience on this should comment.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#13
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Quote:
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#14
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Really hoping I can get this to pop with a drill/orbital and lots of graphite lube. ****ing windows are down too.
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1984 300CD |
#15
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How long did it take with the orbital sander? Did it work right away, or did you go at it for a while?
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1984 300CD |
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