Since last year I have had an intermittent starting problem on my wife’s milk float AKA W168 A160 L. The problem was that the car would not turn over, the dash ignition lights would either not come on or just the SRS light would be illuminated. If I waited or tried again a few times the car would eventually turn and start.
Last weekend was the last straw when the wife was stranded for 10 minutes and late for a meeting. I had been trawling the net and discovered that if it was the starter motor I’d be lifting the engine out to replace it (a bad design or cunning revenue maker) I was never convinced that it would be the starter and was more convinced it was an electrical fault. I had been pointed to replacing the ignition switch on the A class but nobody really had any documented procedure on how to do this.
Anyway this is how it is done it (well how I undertook this task - dont try this if you're unsure or dont have the correct tools),
• Disconnect the battery (be sure to have any Radio CODE keys available)
• Remove the airbag, there are two T30 Torx screws behind the airbag – you will need at least 3” deep torx bits, something that’s not really readily available (anti theft feature I’m told – more like a revenue maker)
(image 1)
• Remove the 3 cables behind the airbag, press and pull the two horn cables, the yellow plug can just be pulled.
• Remove the steering wheel bolt; this is a 10mm Allen key size. Make sure you use a good ratchet and have a scaffold bar to help with providing torque as this bolt is very stubborn. Do not use the steering lock but instead ask someone to hold the wheel as you release the bolt.
• Remove the contact spring/clock spring by removing the two Phillips screws. Be careful if you rotate this device it will cost you £300 for a new one! Anyhow after removing the screws gently pull this away.
• Remove the indicator stalk by undoing the three Phillips head screws, and remove the white plug and pull away.
• Remove the adjustable steering handle by lowering it and removing the Phillips screw
• Remove the steering surround by pulling it towards you.
• Part 8 is the culprit
(image 2)
• Remove the ignition wiring loom plug
(image 3)
• The two tabs near this screwdriver have to be depressed whilst removing it to unlock it
(image 4)
• Once this is removed the ignition switch can be removed by depressing two locking tabs that are near the screwdriver
(image 5)
• The ignition switch can now be removed away from the steering column
(image 6)
• This is the switch
(image 7 + 8)
Lofty's website is a good refrence if you need to see pictures and the procedure for removing the steering wheel http://www.aclassinfo.co.uk/mypage.50.htm
Last weekend was the last straw when the wife was stranded for 10 minutes and late for a meeting. I had been trawling the net and discovered that if it was the starter motor I’d be lifting the engine out to replace it (a bad design or cunning revenue maker) I was never convinced that it would be the starter and was more convinced it was an electrical fault. I had been pointed to replacing the ignition switch on the A class but nobody really had any documented procedure on how to do this.
Anyway this is how it is done it (well how I undertook this task - dont try this if you're unsure or dont have the correct tools),
• Disconnect the battery (be sure to have any Radio CODE keys available)
• Remove the airbag, there are two T30 Torx screws behind the airbag – you will need at least 3” deep torx bits, something that’s not really readily available (anti theft feature I’m told – more like a revenue maker)
(image 1)
• Remove the 3 cables behind the airbag, press and pull the two horn cables, the yellow plug can just be pulled.
• Remove the steering wheel bolt; this is a 10mm Allen key size. Make sure you use a good ratchet and have a scaffold bar to help with providing torque as this bolt is very stubborn. Do not use the steering lock but instead ask someone to hold the wheel as you release the bolt.
• Remove the contact spring/clock spring by removing the two Phillips screws. Be careful if you rotate this device it will cost you £300 for a new one! Anyhow after removing the screws gently pull this away.
• Remove the indicator stalk by undoing the three Phillips head screws, and remove the white plug and pull away.
• Remove the adjustable steering handle by lowering it and removing the Phillips screw
• Remove the steering surround by pulling it towards you.
• Part 8 is the culprit
(image 2)
• Remove the ignition wiring loom plug
(image 3)
• The two tabs near this screwdriver have to be depressed whilst removing it to unlock it
(image 4)
• Once this is removed the ignition switch can be removed by depressing two locking tabs that are near the screwdriver
(image 5)
• The ignition switch can now be removed away from the steering column
(image 6)
• This is the switch
(image 7 + 8)
Lofty's website is a good refrence if you need to see pictures and the procedure for removing the steering wheel http://www.aclassinfo.co.uk/mypage.50.htm
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