New Ignition Lock for W124 is “Locked Up”
 

I need help from anyone who has installed the complete ignition lock on a W124 chassis. I have a 1994 E320 and my key broke off with the steering wheel locked. I found lots of good info in the archives and successfully used a dremel to grind off the steering lock retaining pin and got the old assembly out. I bought a complete new assembly here on Fastlane and ordered a key matched to my old one. The parts arrived and I decided to dry assemble everything on my work bench and practice removing the tumbler and lock cover using a special tool I bought from Baum. Everything was OK until I accidentally turned the key to the “off” position. At that point, the key seized up and refused to turn and cannot be removed. I think the steering lock somehow got engaged. Luckily, I had not yet installed the lock cover—just the tumbler, but now I have a lock cylinder housing that is “locked up”. Can anyone tell me if this is salvageable? I read somewhere on the web a warning that if the steering lock mechanism is engaged with the unit removed from the car, it can only be “released” by returning the whole assembly to the factory. Is this true? I just don’t understand how this mechanism works. Why am I able to turn the key to the off position when the unit is installed in the car but not when it is on the work bench? I may have to buy another new assembly, but my biggest fear is installing it in the car and then turning the key to the off position and having it seize up—I’d be right back where I was 2 weeks ago and looking for a new Dremel bit. Can anyone shed some light on the correct way to proceed with installing a new lock housing, key/tumbler set and lock cover? Thanks in advance, John Downey

The interlock cable must ride against the blue plastic "CAM" that is between the steering lock & the ignition switch. YOU must NOT turn the steering lock to the OFF position unless the ignition switch is installed OR the steering lock will "self-destroy"!

There was a Service info on that self-destroying possibility

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Thanks M.B.Doc. What an expensive lesson! You'd think they would have some notice included with the part to preclude such an occurrence. BTW, the steering lock housing they sent me has an extra hole in it with screw holes on either side. What is this for? Should I just cover it with tape to keep dirt out? I am attaching a picture that shows the new one on the left and the original one on the right. Thanks in advance. John Downey

That extra hole is for the diesel vacuum shut-off valve.