W124 Ignition barrel replacement help (The hard way!)

[neilrr]

It does seem a rather Biblical approach to the problem.

 

[Sp!ke]

Instead of doing all of this you could have saved yourself a whole lot of time and simply done what I said in my post earlier. Simply cit around the black outer sleave of the barrel and the barrell will almost fall out.

Even if you ignored that and wanted to get the lock assembly on a bench to work on, you could have simply done the following in the picture I've attached below.

As it is you've now damaged the base of the lock assembly. This wont be cheap and additionally, getting the ignition wiring back in place and in the right locations is going to be a whole heap of fun.

 

[Sp!ke]

It does seem a rather Biblical approach to the problem.

The only reason I can think of for a mercedes specialist to do it that way is so as to be able to charge more for the job... either that or he's not much of a specialist.

 

[Dec]

The chunk of metal that sits behind the ignition is the ignition switch or connector as it is called in this video here… W124 ignition assembly - YouTube

You want something like this here… Mercedes * Steering ignition lock * w124 124 230 250 400 320 280 e-class | eBay …IF yours is an automatic?

If you bought the above you would have a new and separate ignition key that won’t fit the doors but cheaper than new from dealer.

Dec

 

[Dec]

Anyone got a wireing diagram for the Submit Button?

Dec

 

[Sp!ke]

You want something like this here… Mercedes * Steering ignition lock * w124 124 230 250 400 320 280 e-class | eBay …IF yours is an automatic?

He needs this now anyway since the switch element of the lock has been damaged.

@ £39 it is well worth it I think.

 

[Dec]

Would it not be as handier to buy the whole thing as in picture below, save all the dremel’ing?

Dec

 

[Sp!ke]

My point was that you can get it out of the car without removing the steering column or anything, even the steering wheel can stay in place.

It is literally 60 seconds to grind down the pin with a dremel and then you can simply slide the lock off.

 

[Dec]

My point was that you can get it out of the car without removing the steering column or anything, even the steering wheel can stay in place.

It is literally 60 seconds to grind down the pin with a dremel and then you can simply slide the lock off.

That’s what should have happened alright but as Bob says, he’s not a mechanic.

If he buys the eBay part then all he has to do is dermel out the pin as per your picture.
Will he need a new pin or can it be fited without the pin?

Dec

 

[Sp!ke]

That’s what should have happened alright but as Bob says, he’s not a mechanic.

If he buys the eBay part then all he has to do is dermel out the pin as per your picture.
Will he need a new pin or can it be fited without the pin?

Dec

Erm...he said his local Mercedes specialist came over specially and did this....

I wouldn't worry about replacing the pin. It's only there to make it slightly harder for thieves trying to disable the steering lock. They won't know the pin is missing without removing the panel.

 

[Smarties]

HELLS BELLS! That looks a mess. I had the same problem with my 124 wagon, ignition would not turn. Kept going back to it over a period of weeks, and one day, as if by magic it turned! I count myself very lucky.

 

[Dec]

Erm...he said his local Mercedes specialist came over specially and did this....

I wouldn't worry about replacing the pin. It's only there to make it slightly harder for thieves trying to disable the steering lock. They won't know the pin is missing without removing the panel.

That’s exactly what I thought but wasn’t sure if the pin’s presence is important, thanks for clarifying that.

What I mean is that he wouldn’t have been told to cut the lock in the way that he did, that was his error, it’s not too clear what actually happened and why it was done in this way. Either way, he will be able to rectify the fault for around £40 and any further advice is here if he needs it.

Dec

 

[sideshowbob]

Sorry i didnt update the thread with a progress report yesterday. I came home from an awful day filled with frustration towards 3 cars. After reading the updated thread i decided to try and forget about it for the evening rather than getting all frustrated again.

Instead of doing all of this you could have saved yourself a whole lot of time and simply done what I said in my post earlier. Simply cit around the black outer sleave of the barrel and the barrell will almost fall out.

Even if you ignored that and wanted to get the lock assembly on a bench to work on, you could have simply done the following in the picture I've attached below.

As it is you've now damaged the base of the lock assembly. This wont be cheap and additionally, getting the ignition wiring back in place and in the right locations is going to be a whole heap of fun.

You are probably right Sp!ke, and i certainly appreciate all your advice and expertise. I have no real experience when it comes to repairing cars and faced with an extremely experienced specialist telling me what to do im sure most people in my situation would have listened to them. i did ask about cutting the black metal shroud that covers the barrel but was told that it was hardened steel and that my dremel (or should i say dremel like tool) would not touch it.

The only reason I can think of for a mercedes specialist to do it that way is so as to be able to charge more for the job... either that or he's not much of a specialist.

Im not sure really what to repond to this. On one side i have you telling me this, someone who is selflessly going out of their way to help a fellow forum member. On the other hand i have the specialist, someone that im friendly with, has always tried to save me money in the past because they know i am not wealthy, and has run a very successful Mercedes specialist for many years. Im at a loss to explain this really.....

The chunk of metal that sits behind the ignition is the ignition switch or connector as it is called in this video here… W124 ignition assembly - YouTube

You want something like this here… Mercedes * Steering ignition lock * w124 124 230 250 400 320 280 e-class | eBay …IF yours is an automatic?

If you bought the above you would have a new and separate ignition key that won’t fit the doors but cheaper than new from dealer.

Dec

Dec, this is a really useful post, thanks so much for this. The ebay item is exactly what i am looking for.

Would it not be as handier to buy the whole thing as in picture below, save all the dremel’ing?

Dec

This would be very handy but i have not seen an item like this for sale yet.

That’s what should have happened alright but as Bob says, he’s not a mechanic.

If he buys the eBay part then all he has to do is dermel out the pin as per your picture.
Will he need a new pin or can it be fited without the pin?

Dec

what piece of the above structure is the pin from? Is it part of the steering lock? or is it part of the steering column, or is it a seperate item? If i buy the ebay item listed above will this come with another pin?

That’s exactly what I thought but wasn’t sure if the pin’s presence is important, thanks for clarifying that.

What I mean is that he wouldn’t have been told to cut the lock in the way that he did, that was his error, it’s not too clear what actually happened and why it was done in this way. Either way, he will be able to rectify the fault for around £40 and any further advice is here if he needs it.

Dec

I cut the lock in exactly the way i was told. I was told to cut the corners off in such a way that the metal piece that the electrical plug goes into would not be damaged. I will go and take a photo of this piece later to show what i mean.

Sp!ke, is there any chance you could post a photo of the dremel attachment you would use to grind down the pin? This would be exceptionally useful.

 

[Dec]

This is the guy in the eBay advert, Rob Parker her, … Three Pointed Parts … you could ask him to take a look at this thread, he will know then exactly what you need, have the Mercedes part number of your existing ignition switch to hand if you call or email him.
He has 2 available, one sold so get on to him right away.

The pin is seen at the bottom of the top Red line in Spikes picture.

You won’t need the pin, just the part in the eBay link above, you will do some small damage to the shaft in the process of grinding down the pin at the Red line in Spikes picture below, however the replacement ignition from eBay will still fit and do the job just fine, you won’t need a pin, it wouldn’t fit anyway after you have done grinding down of the pin.

Dec

 

[sideshowbob]

Yesterday i bought the steering lock/barrel/key from three pointed parts on ebay. This morning i got an email from Rob saying that there was a mistake in the listing and that the part wasnt available, along with a paypal refund. So this afternoon will be spent searching for mercedes breakers and ringing/emailing to try and find what i need.
Any help, leads, phone numbers, anything will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again Dec for the continued help.

 

[brucemillar]

Try Dronsfield Mercedes. A Google will point you at them.

Don't get too downhearted. These things are a learning curve when you have never had to do them before. It will get sorted and you still have a great looking car.

 

[bernie driscoll]

Yesterday i bought the steering lock/barrel/key from three pointed parts on ebay. This morning i got an email from Rob saying that there was a mistake in the listing and that the part wasnt available, along with a paypal refund. So this afternoon will be spent searching for mercedes breakers and ringing/emailing to try and find what i need.
Any help, leads, phone numbers, anything will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again Dec for the continued help.

Try here:

euromercwebstore: Steering Lock

Bernie

 

[neilz]

As long as you don't mind 'nick mercedes' never picking up the phone that should do it!

 

[sideshowbob]

Thanks Bernie, that looks perfect. I will program this nicks phone number into speed dial and start the bombardment tomorrow morning.

 

[neilz]

Good luck! I think email may be the preferred method (if you want a response this side of Christmas )