key stuck in Ignition

[mahay1]

Hi, I have a Mercedes E230 Avantgarde Automatic(1996) which has a key stuck in the ignition and it wont come out.
I have left it in overnight, and now I can still start the car but it wont even allow the gear stick to be moved from the park position.

Any help or suggestions.

 

[television]

Does the steering lock disengage

 

[mahay1]

Yes the steering lock engage and disengage OK.
From what I have read in other posts, I suspect it may be the switch/ solenoid which is in the gear box which stops the key coming out if is not in the Park position. I cannot seem to take it out of the park position even when the engine is running. When this happened initially, I could drive the car around but only the key would not come out of the ignition. When we left the key in overnight, then I could start the car ok , but not drive it. The car has been left all weekend with the key in the ignition.
When I get back from work the first thing I will do is change the batteries in the remote, then switch off engine and switch on again and leave it for 15 minutes to let it "sync".
If this does not work, how would I get at the gearbok solenoid / sensor which stop the key being taken out whilst car not in park position.
I dont want to call the garage out because I dont want to pay the huge amount other people have paid if it not the EIS. PS I was going to PX the car this month for a newer model anyway.

 

[television]

Sorry for the delay, at first I thought it was going to be a new switch, but after analyzing it will be the shift lock cable out of adjustment on the floor shift, you have to remove the center console cover to get to it.

 

[mahay1]

Thanks Malcolm,
I will remove the centre console and check it tonight when I back from work.
I will let you know later this evening how it goes.
Where can I find information about Merc E230 shift lock cable on the internet.

 

[television]

This is a hard one foe me to try and answer as there are so many reasons for the key to be stuck in.

Of the 14 reasons the cable lock on the shift is the only one listed where the ign turns on, the steering lock goes off, but you cannot select D

there is an electric module on gear shift.

Let me have the VIN number first 6 numbers 210---

Maybe someone else can come in and help on this

 

[mahay1]

the number is 2100372A109622
How do I get the centre console off.
I could not see any screws around it at all.
Many Thanks

 

[television]

the number is 2100372A109622
How do I get the centre console off.
I could not see any screws around it at all.
Many Thanks

Thats the car I did the search on, you could disconnect the battery for ½ hour to see if it will re set

 

[Blobcat]

the number is 2100372A109622
How do I get the centre console off.
I could not see any screws around it at all.
Many Thanks

You can get the area off around the gear lever by opening the storage area by the centre armrest then lifting up the wooden surround with the window switches in.

You can follow most of the instructions in this How to

 

[mahay1]

Hi Malcolm,
I disconnected the battery and left it for 45 minutes, and reconnected it.
switched remote on and off, and then started the engine. switched off engine and tried to take the key off. Key still does not want to come out.
Next thing is to try and take the centre console off. How do I do that please. Many Thanks
Mark

 

[Blobcat]

Next thing is to try and take the centre console off. How do I do that please. Many Thanks
Mark

Pls see my post above ^

 

[mahay1]

I have taken the centre console off and exposed the gear lever mechanism. There are 2 cables leading into the gear mechanism.
When I press the brake the one cable work ok and releases the mechanism. The second cable which allow the level to be taken out of parking does not move at all. Moving the key does not have any effect on this at all. I can release this with a flat screwdriver and can get the car in gear, however I still cannot release the key.
What releases this key mechanism and where is the other end of this cable.

 

[Hibbo]

I have no idea about you car, but if you can remove the cable from the gear selector mechanism, I would try shoving on and/or pulling the end of the cable whilst trying to remove the key.

 

[mahay1]

I have sprayed wd40 over the release mechanism.
I have removed the cable from the gear selector mechanism and by pushing the cable, I am able release the key. When I put the key back in and turn it, it is pushing this cable but not far enough to release the parking mechanism.
Is there some spring mechanism that is not pushing the release mechanism to release the parking mechanism. When the parking mechanism is release, I put my foot on the brake and can put the car into gear.
If I can take the key out and turn it ok, is this a fault in the key mechanism. I assume the key and barrel are ok as I can release the key successfully if I push the cable release.