Thread: D1 Ignition locks

Originally Posted by maroochy

G' day Been doing a bit of a search on ignition locks,mine could be on the way out.shocked at some of the prices some members have quoted so did a bit of a search in UK plenty of them there OEM,Aftermarket at prices around 50 to 80 dollars,yes dollars plus freight,of course genuine ones are in the hundreds.Now the thing is do these things work as a straight bolt in or do locksmiths have to be involved re keys etc.Actually i would like to do away with the whole setup as in my opinion it is in a awkward position,you cannot see the hole to put the key in (perhaps it's just me).To digress a little i thought the key position on my Mercedes 300D was the worst i had ever struck,on the left of the column perfectly positioned for the passenger.Anyway has anybody installed a push button starter switch,i came accross these when searching for the real thing.however you still need to turn the key before pressing the starter which seems to defeat the purpose.Any comments..........Cheers

A momentary push button could be wired into the final part of the wiring to the starter motor ...
- but is it actually the "start" position the one that's giving you trouble? If so it could be a completely different problem with the alarm circuit, in which case a push button won't help (unless wired independently).

Remember that the key also has another function - steering locking - this can be removed but would you want to? Some may suggest rego no compliance if you do - but who would know?

anyway...

IMHE it's usually either the initial key insertion or the turn after inserting the key that becomes the problem because the tumblers get burred - it can be simply fixed if you have some mechanical handiness and patience, however if you haven't seen a lock dismatled you could end up with springs and parts going everywhere -

- in this caase, removal of the burrs and smoothing is what we are talking about... so

- read up on removing the "headless" securing bolts and

- when dismantling the actual lock (ie. taking the barrel out) keep the key inserted to hold the tumblers in position

- remember that a roll of sticky tape can be your friend (to retain springs etc by wrapping around the "barrel")

- and then... judiciously take them out and work on the burrs

- this procedure would be a simple, if a little time consuming, repair for most local locksmiths

if this is the fix, usually there no parts to purchase unless you want to reinstall new security bolts (the ones the heads shear off), otherwise just cut screwdriver slots in the ones you took out and reuse them.

i took the barel out of mine when it stoped working.
took the barrel to a locksmith and had it back 4 hours later.
put it back in and works like a new one.
$30 well spent