Brian, you need to lube the column lock. I had the exact same issue with my CD when I replaced the tumbler. Squirted a little Marvel Mystery oil into the column lock, and it works as new now.
Luther ~Update on my tumbler saga: After having the dealership try to ship the ~correct tumbler replacement to a wrong address, I re-gave them the correct ~address, and I finally saw it tonight. It looked right this time, I popped ~it in in 10 seconds, and it is a fit! ~ ~Here's the beauty: It came with a key! The incorrect one they sent me at ~first did not come with a key, and as some of you may recall, I was quite ~puzzled over that. ~ ~Here's the problem: The problem was NOT the tumbler. I was quickly able to ~get the column to lock me out after installing the new tumbler. Fortunately ~my patented "kicking, turning, and twisting" technique got it unsiezed ~before too long. ~ ~Oh well, at least I have two new dealer-cut keys now. ~ ~But I still have to jump through a hoop to ensure no lock-outs. This ~consists of: When I arrive at my destination, I find the mid-point in the ~slop of the wheel and hold it there. Then I - in a split second - turn that ~key back to the zero position and back to position one, thereby satisfying ~the requirement that it be completely turned off before allowing starter ~engagement again. I then leave it in position one - ready for the next start ~- and lock the doors. (or if in a bad neighborhood, go ahead and remove ~tumbler). ~ ~Brian ~83 240D ~ -- Luther KB5QHU Alma, Ark '83 300SD (231,xxx kmi) '82 300CD (159,222 kmi) '82 300D (74,000 kmi) needs MAJOR work
