I have a '90 300E. The key is stuck in the ignition. With some wiggling it will turn on (but not start, due to a design that only gives one start try each full key on/off rotation),but it will not rotate all the way off to reset the mechanism or remove the key. Car isin Park, butsteering wheel is not and willnot lock. I have had some history with it being stubborn, but never refusing to remove. Car is stuck 40 miles from home<IMG src=smileys/smiley19.gif border="0">, please advise. <edited><editID>bgods</editID><editDate>37927.0221875</editDate></edited>

 

Sounds Like The Ignition Switch is Bad...
Mercedes makes a tool that will remove the tumbler with the key in poss one Insert the tool and the tumbler slides out
I Would replace the Tumbler and the Electrical portion of the Ignition switch

I Have seen Several do this

 

<LABEL id=HbSession SessionId="3366961563">A fellow club member of mine with a 124 had the same problem.</LABEL></P>


<LABEL SessionId="3366961563">Changed out the ignition barrel but same problem.</LABEL></P>


<LABEL SessionId="3366961563">Wiggling the shifter when it is in Park got him positive results.It seems that there is a sort of "Park Recognition" thingy that prevents the key from coming out if the shifter is not in Park.</LABEL></P>


<LABEL SessionId="3366961563">Wiggling the shifter in Park enabled him to pull the key out, restart, etc.<IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0"></LABEL></P>


<LABEL SessionId="3366961563">Cheers.</LABEL></P>