Ok, so here I am. Among some great minds. And I need help fixing something stupid. So here goes:

My wife owns a 1992 Mecredes 300 E, and about a week ago the tumbler in her ignition failed. Basically her key wouldn't turn. (same problem as everyone else) I found your site and it was great. I read countless threads and ultimately solved the problem with patience and the newly cut key that came with the new ignition. I then went ahead and made the two pronged tool from a coat hanger and after about ten minutes of fiddling ... bing ... out popped the ignition. Yay!!

Here's where the issue is. So here I am being over cautious and trying to double and triple check everything to be sure it doesn't go in wrong and give me bigger problems when ... pop ... the ignition lock cover snaps into place without the tumbler inside. UGH!!! Problem is that I don't know "how" it snapped into place or how to release it.

I really hope that there is something simple to poke at to release it instead of needing to dismantle the entire dash. I was sooooooo close!!!!!

Please help if you can, and thank you,

Michael