Ignition key won't turn!

[knarf]

I just got my 109E back from the shop. I had major front end surgery, alignment and state inspection.
Drove the car home parked it in the driveway, came out the next day to start it up and now my ignition key won't turn to unlock
the steering column.
I've had to replace the steering column lock in my 450slc that had a simular problem.
With the 109E would this problem be typically caused by the steering lock or ignition cylinder?

Thanks In Advance,

Knarf

[JimSmith]

knarf,

My experience is that the tumbler section which is what the key bumps and ridges interact with to allow the key to turn, gets worn out. In addition, you have to move the steering wheel slightly one way or the other to get the load off the tumbler section from the wheel or the key cannot be turned either. This feature becomes more and more apparent as the key or tumbler wears.

Turning the key to postion "1" is an essential step in the tumbler, or any other part of the ignition switch, replacement. If you cannot get the key to turn at all the job is much more complicated. If you are interested do a search on this and you will see some pretty detailed instructions on how to replace the tumbler with and without the keyworking.

Hope this helps, Jim

[knarf]

JIMSMITH,

Thanks for the reply.



Knarf

[vallejospeedway]

I there any connection to the key not turning and the battery being dead?
When my battery went dead before, I had the same problem with the ignition switch and had to be towed.

My experience is that the tumbler section which is what the key bumps and ridges interact with to allow the key to turn, gets worn out. In addition, you have to move the steering wheel slightly one way or the other to get the load off the tumbler section from the wheel or the key cannot be turned either. This feature becomes more and more apparent as the key or tumbler wears.

Turning the key to postion "1" is an essential step in the tumbler, or any other part of the ignition switch, replacement. If you cannot get the key to turn at all the job is much more complicated. If you are interested do a search on this and you will see some pretty detailed instructions on how to replace the tumbler with and without the keyworking.

Hope this helps, Jim[/quote]