Fitment of ignition switch on my SL230 - tricky or easy??

[TonyJerseyUK]

Hi again,

I've decided to stop relying on the separate fuel pump switch which has been fitted to my UK RHD 230SL at some point in the last decades, and have bought a new ignition switch to solve the problem in the correct fashion.

I've read somewhere on here that a day should be put aside in order to get to the back of the ignition barrel where the switch lies. I'm no mechanic and it will probably take me a lot longer, but surely it's not too tricky?

Is there anything I can print out which tells me exactly what to do??  I've spoken with one Pagoda specialist who says that although it's very fiddly, one can get away with not removing the steering column?

Any help most gratefully received.

All the best,

Tony

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Tony,

Have you tried the "search" function under the forum section....

Look for "Ignition Tumbler Removal" I remember a really helpful set of posts regarding this about two years ago.

Good luck

Paul

[TonyJerseyUK]

Hi Tony,

Have you tried the "search" function under the forum section....

Look for "Ignition Tumbler Removal" I remember a really helpful set of posts regarding this about two years ago.

Good luck

Paul

Paul,

Excellent tip, many thanks.  I've found the article and photos as well, so it's rolling sleeves up and dive in time!

Best wishes,

Tony

[TonyJerseyUK]

Hi again,

Having prepared myself for x hours' work to fit a new ignition switch, it appears I can't even carry out the first instruction!  There appears to be a big metal strap holding the steering column, and there are no screws showing to be able to release this strap, so how would it be possible to drop the column a couple of inches???  Here's a photo of the strap - is this normal (hopefully I'm able to attach)??  Here is the info I'm trying to work from:

Well I got the job done today, my friends at Autostore in Cambridge showed me how they could remove the ignition barrel and steering lock in about half an hour !! Take off two panels under steering wheel ( just a couple of screws), reach up inside instrument panel and release speedometer, remove speedometer from dash panel. Reach inside speedometer hole and undo screws holding steering column in place to allow steering wheel to fall about 1-2 inches. reach behind ignition switch and undo three small screws ( very fiddly) that hold ignition switch to lock mechanism. It is now possible to wiggle the steering lock/ignition barrel free and remove from car. They then drilled out pins, inserted new barrel and secured with new pins. Then reattach ignition switch to lock mechanism, wiggle it back in place, replace speedo and panels, Job done. Pavel at Autostore took about 20 mins mat most to re assemble but then he has a very good knowledge of the dashboard construction of these cars haveing done similar jobs on one before. When he had finished it was sticking in one position and then jamming so he took it out, greased it thoroughly and then re assembled as above and its now working perfectly, and I hope will continue to do so.
So if you really really know what you are doing, you could do the job in under two hours, but I would honestly say for a complete beginner, at least a day !
Good luck if your going to try it
Howard

Any suggestions gratefully welcomed!

Cheers,

Tony

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Tony,

Glad you got it sorted

Happy Pagodaing..

Paul

[TonyJerseyUK]

Hi Paul,

I didn't! See above photo and comments.

I can't believe that metal strap around the steering column is standard? If so, how can the column ever move???

I've given up and booked it in with an auto-electrician.  Pity...

Bests,

Tony

[Benz Dr.]

If you are talking about the switch on the back of the tumbler it's not that hard to sort out. You don't need to remove the steering column or tumbler unit to remove the switch at the back.

Remove the tach, center cluster, and speedo so that you have more room to work.  There are three screws to remove after you pull the wiring harness from the switch. I use a small 90 degree angled screw driver to undo these screws and then it will lift off the main body of the tumbler. Install the switch, plug the electrical connector back on and the rest is reverse of disassembly.