I recently swapped the entire steering lock, ignition (sorry PSFred) lock contraption from a 123 to a 126. You have to reattach the 126 ignition switch (on the backside) and then everything works.

Everything works and the car now starts with the key which it hasn't forever.

PUZZLED: how do I get the black screw-on ring back in place????

1. The black ring must be in place first because it won't fit over the key
2. With the black ring in place (before screwed on), the key won't slide all the way in and therefore won't turn
3. All of this must take place before depressing the pin hole lock release

??

Thanks
Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

You have to push the pin in through the hole before the ring will screw on. This must be done with the key in position 1.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

That requirement is typical of many cars... it makes it so the pin cannot be pulled easily without any key ..... like by a thief...

What I was trying to ask is how to get the key to #1 position in order to push the pin in.

The key will not turn (won't insert far enough to turn) because the black ring will not screw in.

Catch 22

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Are you saying the ring doesn't fit over the key head? With the ring completely off, you should be able to turn the key, insert the pin, then put the ring over the key and the pin. If it doesn't fit, then maybe you have a nonstandard key.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Rick:

Thanks for your patience. I have nine of these cars and all the cylinders are the exact same size and none of them will fit over the key head on any of my 27 keys.

Therefore I'm doing something wrong.

The shaft of the cylinder itself will fit over the key head but not the opening of the cylinder (front side hole is smaller).

In thinking through how it came out, it simply won't go back together that way.

Perhaps I have the snap the entire lock and key cylinder out but it went in so difficult that I don't want to take the entire dash out again.

Thanks

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Ok, sorry about that. I must be remembering it wrong. And I have the E300 with me today so I can't look at it.

You're right - it has to go back together somehow. There is a rectangular "button" in the threaded part of the cylinder. That button is what keeps the black ring from turning, and it retracts into the cylinder when you push the pin. But of course you can only push the pin when the key is in #1.

It seems as though you should be able to screw that ring in enough to get the key in. But then you're back where you started.


Hey, at least I kept you at the top of the page.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Yep, Thanks for keeping me up there.

That is the problem. Won't turn at all until the rectangular deal is depressed. Can't depress it until key is turned. Key won't turn cuz ring prevents it.

I prefer a hole in the dash (as it now works) to taking every back out for the third time.

Actually, I could file down the key head and just sacrifice a $2 key. That might be the easiest scenario. Thanks for sticking with me until my brain kicked in.


Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed