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  #1  
Old 11-23-2013, 01:53 PM
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Ignition switch harness plug stuck, ideas?

85 300d. One of the kids MBs keys just spin in the ignition so I remove the ignition and key assembly from the steering wheel thinking the worst part of the job is over but NOOOOOOO! I cant free the ignition harness plug from the rear of the switch. I have done this job before and don't remember having this problem. The assembly is dangling by the harness plug and will not pull out of the back of the switch housing...... Anyone?

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  #2  
Old 11-23-2013, 02:11 PM
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key must be in #2 position. the electrical socket is keyed to only release in that position.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
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  #3  
Old 11-23-2013, 02:31 PM
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If that fails, you can always use this:

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Old 11-23-2013, 02:49 PM
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I've tried to release it in every position since #2 didn't work initially.. Maybe I'll start rotating the key slowly while pulling on the plug, maybe I just haven't found the sweet spot....

And already thought about the dynamite.....that's why I walked away from it..
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  #5  
Old 11-23-2013, 02:53 PM
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If I am remembering correctly isn't there like three Phillips screws that need to come out?
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  #6  
Old 11-23-2013, 03:05 PM
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There are 3 small slotted screws that holds the switch in, but the plug has to come out first to get access to the screws
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  #7  
Old 11-23-2013, 04:03 PM
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On my 1982 300CD there is a small black tab(part of the black plug in) that fits into a small squarish hole at the back edge of the ignition switch. This tab needs to be pushed in slightly with a small screwdriver in order for the wire plug to pull out.
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  #8  
Old 11-23-2013, 05:49 PM
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Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by netboy View Post
85 300d. One of the kids MBs keys just spin in the ignition so I remove the ignition and key assembly from the steering wheel thinking the worst part of the job is over but NOOOOOOO! I cant free the ignition harness plug from the rear of the switch. I have done this job before and don't remember having this problem. The assembly is dangling by the harness plug and will not pull out of the back of the switch housing...... Anyone?
Break off the three screw EAR TABS.

The switch will separate from the mechanical column lock, then you can rotate it with a screw driver.

.
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  #9  
Old 11-23-2013, 05:51 PM
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The earlier Models did not have as much protection against tampering with the Ignition switch as the later models did.

The Electrical connector at the end of the Switch will not come out unless it is indexed correctly.

If the inside of the Steering Colum lock shaft broke; the part that turns the Ignition Switch you are not going to be able to turn the innards of the Ignition Switch to index properly.

On mine circled in the Pic is that part that locks in the Electrical Connector.
Attached Thumbnails
Ignition switch harness plug stuck, ideas?-steering-colum-lock-electrical-connector-lock.jpg  
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Last edited by Diesel911; 11-23-2013 at 06:02 PM.
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  #10  
Old 11-25-2013, 05:17 PM
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What a nightmare........I'm posting this so the next sucker doesn't do what I did... If the ignition harness plug doesn't come out of the lock assembly BREAK THE 3 EARS OFF! whunter said it, but I had another idea. a stupid idea. just break the ears and turn the lock with a screwdriver. THEN, after I repaired the locking assembly, I replaced the instrument cluster with another cluster because the 1985 original cluster leaked oil internally. WELL GUESS WHAT, a 1985 cluster is NOT compatible with a 81-84. I know because I spent the last 2 hours trying to get the 12 pin light plug to plug in the back of the cluster in the right position.....If someone can confirm this I would appreciate it.
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1981 300sd
1983 300sd
1985 300d
1983 300cd
1991 350sdl
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  #11  
Old 11-25-2013, 07:11 PM
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Ill compare them...
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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  #12  
Old 11-25-2013, 10:12 PM
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The 2 wire tach plug is a different size (that's the clue that made me remember that the 85s are different) and the 12 pin plug will plug in but its not wired the same. I could plug it in so the batt light would illuminate before start and then extinguish but I have no brake lights or blinkers or temp
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I LOVE CATS....AND FRIES

1981 300sd
1983 300sd
1985 300d
1983 300cd
1991 350sdl
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  #13  
Old 11-25-2013, 10:30 PM
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I know the tach is different... but I do not think the 12pin is wired differently... I'm sure the speedo physically is compatible (the gear ratio is off, so it'll read faster than you are driving) and as far as I know, the temp/oil/gauge is the same... unknown about the blinkers... I've swapped many a unit around, but I'm not sure on the 85 stuff... interesting...
I know I have a customer with an 84 using an 85 cluster... (his speedo at a minimum)
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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  #14  
Old 11-26-2013, 08:12 AM
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Ok then, do the brake lights and blinkers run thru that plug. I may have smoked a fuse to the brakes. I know its plugged correctly presently because the BATT light comes on and goes out at start and the instrument lights illuminate with the parking lights on.
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I LOVE CATS....AND FRIES

1981 300sd
1983 300sd
1985 300d
1983 300cd
1991 350sdl
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  #15  
Old 11-26-2013, 09:15 AM
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That's it, I smoked the fuse. Sweet. But the Pull A Part ignition and tumbler that I installed requires a wiggle to turn so I will be ordering a new tumbler from Benz this week. Piece a cake. Thanx for the info.

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1981 300sd
1983 300sd
1985 300d
1983 300cd
1991 350sdl
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