I have direct experience, and yes it can be a nightmare. Putting aside the question of whether any of these modules are so-called "theft relevant" parts (which MB might be unwilling to sell to mere mortals), there is the advantage that this would just be labour, not jackhammering like earlier cars when the ignition lock decides to fail.
I still cannot believe how lucky I was that when the column lock (not the lock cylinder... the actual column lock) failed on my 1979 300SD W116 in 110F heat on the square in Sonoma, CA, an hour from home. We had been driving and stopped for ice cream. Got back into the car and I could not turn the key to "on". By some miracle I was able to turn it *barely *far enough to unlock the column so that the car could be driven. But how to start it? Ah, a quick jumping of the starter solenoid did the trick. Because the key could not be turned to "on", we had no turn signals, no alternator, no ventilation. Luckily we had left the windows down, which was a lifesaver during the sweltering 1+ hour drive home! Then came the gruesome project of extricating the column lock without being able to remove the lock cylinder! Again, by pure luck, the key turned JUST far enough to disengage the anti-theft device that prevents removal of the column lock. Mine was also not the later type (eg W124, later W126) where unless the key is in the "on" position, you cannot disconnect the electrical components at the back of the column lock. The whole thing took about a day to R&R but in the end, successful! Out of an abundance of caution, I ordered a replacement ignition lock cylinder (originals are NLA and the "service" cylinders are slightly different and need adapting to be installed), and in the end it worked out. I've saved the functional original lock cylinder in case I ever want to put it back. I might one day get around to refurbishing it. It's a relatively simple system inside. D. On Thu, Sep 28, 2023, Allan Streib wrote: > > A W123 can get you into a pretty pickle as well if the lock cylinder jams. > Very difficult to drill out or remove in other ways if you can't turn it. > Or so I'm told, no direct experience. > > > On Thu, Sep 28, 2023, at 08:53, Michael Esh via Mercedes wrote: > > Update. Repair estimate at Mercedes Dealer > > $2850.00. Not sure pdf of estimate will send but the repair looks > > fairly complicated. I?m splitting the cost of repair with my son. > > Issue is locked steering wheel and no crank /start. > > Steering Lock Module - $505 > > Ignition Switch- $735 > > Program 2 keys - $270 > > Labor - $1224 > > Involves removing entire steering column. > > This really makes me appreciate my W123?s > > > > > > Michael E. Esh > > > > > >> On Sep 24, 2023, at 1:55 PM, Michael Esh <michael...@mac.com> wrote: > >> > >> ?Jumpstart did not help. From watching some vids it appears to be an > ELS (electric steering lock) issue. It seems to be in locked position and > according to vids it is a $2000 repair from Mercedes. I?ll call dealership > in the morning. > >> > >> > >> Michael E. Esh > >> > >> > >>> On Sep 23, 2023, at 6:27 PM, dan penoff.com via Mercedes < > mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >>> > >>> ?The first thought is the battery. EIS likely locks the steering > column with a solenoid, so no power, no unlock. The battery could have > enough juice to run the radio but not the rest of the car. Once voltage > falls below a certain point stuff either gets wonky or just doesn?t work. > >>> > >>> Good luck, let us know how it goes. > >>> > >>> -D > >>> > >>>>> On Sep 23, 2023, at 6:23?PM, Michael Esh via Mercedes < > mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >>>> > >>>> Fairly new to us 2013 Mercedes C300. Son purchased a couple of > months ago. About 150,000 miles on it. > >>>> Not sure why but it will not turn over. He parked it at the mall and > when he came out it would not fire up. Steering wheel is in lock position > and turned to the far right and does not unlock when key is turned. Is the > steering lock supposed to release with key or when the car starts? The key > turns all the way in the ignition but there is zero response, no clicks or > sounds. The battery seems to be working as the radio works normally. > >>>> Any thoughts about what we might check or trouble shoot before we > call the tow truck? > >>>> Thanks, Mike > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> Michael E. Esh > >>>> > ****************************************** > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
