W124 Ignition barrel won't turn! Please help :(

[W210VIP]

Hello everyone,

Haven't posted for a while but have been a member for a few years, moved from a w120 to a w124 in the last year.

So my ignition barrel will not turn to position one! Everything was working fine up until I got into the car this morning, I have tried everything such as graphite grease/spray, wiggling the key while turning steering wheel, using a soft mallet to try and get it loose, using pliers with the key to add a little bit of leverage without snapping etc but still no go!

From what I understand, my next step is to cut off the black surrounding that covers the barrel, is that correct? Im assuming once I cut this off I will be able to access the spring that is holiding the barrel in place.

Please correct me if Im wrong or do let me know if there is anything else I can try. Thank you.

 

[mioba]

jeezuz and I thought what you had done already was harsh.....

Is the gear selector in the right place. If I recall on the W124 if the gear selector is not in the right place - nothing.

 

[W210VIP]

@mioba harsh? I haven't done anything yet? I think you might have me mistaken for on someone else.

Yes its in park. I took apart the lower dash, accessed, unscrewed and pushed in the pin that locks the transmission in park, moved to through gears, back in park and still nothing.

I noticed the silver bit with the notches on the barrel moves freely without the key. I might be able to line up the wholes to access with the special too but can’t see cause it’s dark out. Flashlight is just reflecting! Pic for reference.

What you think? And where can I get this tool. Can’t make one as don’t have any hangers in hooks old fashioned metal!

 

[W210VIP]

Here’s a pic of my w210 to brighten things up! Haha.

 

[mioba]

The yellow sure is bright....

 

[W210VIP]

The yellow sure is bright....

Thanks for the help

 

[W210VIP]

Anyone else?

 

[Doug1234]

Search on this American forum, everything you will ever need about early Mercedes is on here.

W124 (and others) ignition barrel replacement - info - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Thanks to this forum I have a) ordered a new ignition barrel for my W124 while the key still just turned, before it was too late, and b) managed to

www.peachparts.com

Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum, DIY Technical Advice, Parts and Cars for Sale - Welcome to the PeachParts Forum!

Mercedes-Benz Forum and Technical DIY Discussions for Enthusiasts. PeachParts is NOT affiliated, sponsored nor authorized by Daimler AG.

www.peachparts.com

I removed a complete ignition lock assembly from my 1990 w124 years ago and managed to remove it without removing column or loosening any of its bolts.. it was tight getting the lock body off as there was hardly any room / it had to be pushed hard to the left and was up against the cars heater etc but it came out and went back in with a fight.

 

[W210VIP]

Search on this American forum, everything you will ever need about early Mercedes is on here.

W124 (and others) ignition barrel replacement - info - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Thanks to this forum I have a) ordered a new ignition barrel for my W124 while the key still just turned, before it was too late, and b) managed to

www.peachparts.com

Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum, DIY Technical Advice, Parts and Cars for Sale - Welcome to the PeachParts Forum!

Mercedes-Benz Forum and Technical DIY Discussions for Enthusiasts. PeachParts is NOT affiliated, sponsored nor authorized by Daimler AG.

www.peachparts.com

I removed a complete ignition lock assembly from my 1990 w124 years ago and managed to remove it without removing column or loosening any of its bolts.. it was tight getting the lock body off as there was hardly any room / it had to be pushed hard to the left and was up against the cars heater etc but it came out and went back in with a fight.

Thank you very much for replying and wanting to help @Doug1234

So you were able to remove the whole thing and not just the barrel? I wonder if I'll be able to do that as my steering wheel is locked. Sounds like a fight!

I feel that I am very lucky, the silver ring with the notches moves freely on mine so I am able to line up the holes to position one. I have made a tool, put it in, felt like I hit something (spring) and then felt my tool going over it. But for the life of me cannot get this thing out!!!!!!!

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Did you use the u shaped wire and not the one piece of wire

 

[W210VIP]

I sure did but it’s stuck!!! I plan to spray some lithium grease in the holes. If that doesn’t work I will have to cut off the black collar and hopefully the barrel will come out with the tool.

If not then I will have to grind down the steering lock pin as my wheel is locked and take out the entire unit to replace, however, the black connector to the ignition switch may not come off as I understand the key needs to be in option one to do this.

So I may have to drill a whole through the barrel so I can access the ignition with a screwdriver to turn to position one.