My key was starting to get sticky so I replaced the tumbler today. Drove the car all over but just now it stuck again. Didn't take long to get it unstuck and start the car but I'm wondering if there is another problem? It's an 82 300td. Thanks for any thoughts

How's the steering lock behaving?

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I guess I'm not sure? What would be the sign it was misbehaving?

I think what he is asking is, can you still free up the key by jiggling the steering wheel to help release the lock? Or when the steering lock engages, the key then seems stuck?

From what you are saying it sounds like the issue is with the steering lock mechanism itself. This seems to be happening more often lately, I suspect it's a factor of the overall age of the vehicles.

The steering lock mechanism is a DIY proposition but a fairly difficult one. You have to remove the gauge cluster and lower the steering column or remove the column and work on it outside the car.

To give you an idea: http://dieselgiant.com/repairignitionlock.htm

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Hmm. I guess I hadn't been paying attention to the relationship of jiggling the wheel and freeing the key. I know that with the new tumbler I just jiggled the key and it seemed to turn. I'll try and pay attention to the relationship before digging deep into pulling the cluster out...

When My Key got stuck I assumed it was the Tubler but it turned out the the steering Colum Lock was broke inside in 2 places.

I repalced the Steering Colum Lock assembly (comes with the Vacuum Switch, Ignition Switch and the Steering Colum Lock) and have been using the same Tumbler for several years.
I cleaned the Tumbler in an ultrasonic cleaning tank.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thanks Zacharias that's what I meant. If you are "lifting" the steering wheel through the steering lock with the key you are causing trouble for the lock and key.

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Steering Colum Lock (Ignition Lock Housing) causes Ignition Switch Failure
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/333785-steering-colum-lock-ignition-lock-housing-causes-ignition-switch-failure.html

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

If you suspect the steering lock, remove the key with the wheel turned 90* off center and the lock will not engage. If the tumbler now operates easily, you found the problem.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.

Rcurtis I think I'm confused? I turned the wheel 90degrees and the steering wheel lock did engage and the key did turn. Not sure what that tells me?

Been driving the car for the last few days and it seems that when the key is sticky I just jiggle it and it's fine...no turning or lifting of the steering wheel required. I just wonder if I'm at risk of it not turning at all one day and being a total pita to deal with because the key won't be in the #2 position?