Got mine fixed today as well. Thanks to those great instructions and pix it only took me about 45 minutes. Not quite as fast as stryfox, but I tend to work slower in general.

rekcah, I'd buy you several beers if you weren't 2000 miles away.

 

This has to of been the biggest pain in the rear... lots of patience is required and a dremel. Pull the trim out from under the stearing wheel. Then pull the trim off around the instrument panel. I skipped drilling out the pin because the drills I have are cordless and too big. Instead I cut out a small conduit just wide enough for the pin to move through. It took a little over an hour to drill it out.

Now the spring loaded hatch everyone is talking about, it's not much of a hatch. I used a flathead screwdriver and a hammer to trim the four small indentations. I had to use a steak knife and hammer then to get underneath the metal piece to actually pop it off. Heads up this is the point where you may want to put it in a bag or a bathroom. The metal plate comes flying off with the spring behind it. There is a pin inside that you just need to flip the entire mechanism over and it will come out. Once that is out the key turns. Even though I made the conduit there is a clamp that bolts down and will hold the entire assembly in place.

One last note the locking mechanism will not engage unless you pull the key out, you can try this before you put it back in. Therefor there is no chance for this thing to engage while you are driving.

Hope this was a little helpful, and hope that you're not too tall or big. Otherwise removing the trim is a pain.

 

Is it just me or are the pictures not showing at the first of the post?

 

The original poster is no longer providing pictures, but another member (rekcah) was kind enough to take and post new ones. He also created a .PDF file on page 6 in post 113. Just click this link.....

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...2-post113.html

 

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Link to post with picture tutorial of Sticky Ignition Fix
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post504963

 

Thanks for the quick response.

I don't need the info at this time but wanted to make sure the photos were available for those that do. I made a PDF of the original post and have it available if anyone wants it.

Great thanks for all of you that have taken the time to document this repair!

 

rekcah you saved me alot of time and money. the pdf instruction are on point.

Thank you to everyone that has put effort into getting this thread going.

Also for those that have to drill out the locking pin , there is a drill attachment with a metal grinding stone in most homedepots, get it and save your self the trouble, I drilled mine out and i got to say what a pain.

 

Does anyone know where the transponder ring wiring connects to????

 

Well I found out where the connection is, the following pdf shows the location

http://homepage.mac.com/gregmeach/XF...q-Security.pdf

You can't get to it with out removing the instrument /speedo cluster, here is how to take it off

http://homepage.mac.com/gregmeach/XF...Instrument.pdf

It was not as hard as I though, I wasted more time looking around for the little plug.

Any how be careful with the black wire that comes from the sentry transponder ring because if it comes loose you are in for an other hour of work.

 

Just want to add my thanks to all those that contributed to this thread - especially the guy who did the PDF and photos, what an absolute legend!

I printed that off and in under 2 hours my key turns like a dream!

To those not sure whether to try this or not i'd say do it.......I'm a complete car retard and was really worried about doing even more damage, but seriously I nailed this with a couple of spanners and a screwdriver.

Thanks again all

.........Now if i could only stop that alarm going off!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have searched numerous web sites looking for part# a2024600904 with no luck, can anyone throw me a web site por favor??? GRaciAS

 

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Link to post with picture tutorial of Sticky Ignition Fix
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post504963

 

My freind Vito, I think I called him Victor before) just couldn't do it himself. Dealer hit him for $1,600 dollars.
He doesn't have a computer and I couldn't give him the time. Besides I doubt Iwoulddo it well.

It's his daily driver and he needed it. The dealer had the parts in stock and knew whatto do. Still that's a lot of dough for an ignition switch and a steering column.

roadster with a stick

 

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Link to post with picture tutorial of Sticky Ignition Fix
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post504963

 

I tried the DIY and think I made things worse. Took the pin out and pushed the end in, wheel doesn't lock but key still won't turn. Tired of messing with it so I just want 2 buy a new one. Tried looking up that part on several MB dealerships in Houston but no luck... Gonna call Tomorrow 2 c whats up. Just wanted to find the part on line before I called. Good write up by the way rekcah, helped a bunch but I still got stuck

 

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yes sir, no luck....

 

On your video there is no pin sticking out of the end going into the steering column so I thought I should push it in? oops?

 

They replaced his steering column as well. A bit more than $300 there.
I think he made his problem worse by not fixing it when the sticky stuff started.
Some people think car parts can heal themselves.
I posted not to make fun of Vito but to show how much this thread can save you. Dealers will rip you off. Especially on this car.
I tried to tell him a computer for under $500 bucks would pay for itself here on the forum alone. We have to keep this CrossfireForum .ORG alive guys or be at the mercy of dealers and bad mechanics.

roadster with a stick

 

I replaced the key housing this past weekend. The PDF and pictures made it very easy. I was able to purchase the part for $130 at my local MB dealer. I gave him a copy of the email from the forum which had the part number. He told me the price came up higher but was able to match the $130 price listed in the email.

Now I have a smooth operating ignition key and $1,370 in my pocket. Thanks everyone.