Here's a good one for you!!

I have searched.
Sorry, but I have not found instructions I can apply to my situation.
2001 W210 E320 RHD
First: My ignition switch (Electronic type) assembly has come loose and dripped into the dash. The outer surface bazel just fell off.
I need to position the assembly back into place.
Please tell me how to get at it. How is it held in place?
I believe i will need to remove the driver's underdash panel.
Please tell me how.

Are there any other panels or items that will need to be removed?
Please explain.

Thanks,
Joe

 

This happened to me on my 1998 E430. That bezel is what holds the ignition switch in place and it is threaded. I stopped by my local dealer and a tech had that fixed in about 1 minute but I wasn't paying very close attention but I can tell you he did not remove the under dash panel.

 

Thanks for the reply.
If I can get it started, I might just take it in.
Joe

 

thanks
OK. I got it done.
I was very concerned about using anything made of metal.
I got hold of a piece of nylon fishing line. Quite a thick one.
I then formed a loop, pushed it through the hole and looped it around the switch.
I then pulled the switch out towards the hole.
I held the switch at the edge of the hole.
I then passed the key through the bazel and put the key into the switch.
I turned the key to position one to lock it in place.
I then removed the fishing line while holding the switch with the key.
I was then able to screw the bazel back onto the switch.
With my thumbs I was able to tighten the bazel.

Problem solved.
As a note.
There was no warning. So from now on, I will be checking the bazel for tightness.
There is a tool to tighten the older key type switches.
This bazel is smooth.

 

nice save !

 

OK.
On close inspection I can see some notches on the inner surface of the Bazel ring.
I guess that must be where the tool goes.

The problem would be waiting for the tool to arrive.

Joe

 

On my 2000 E320 the Ignition Switch is loose in the dashboard. I can pull the switch back into place with the key. There is about one inch of play in the switch. I will take it to shop Monday to have it repaired.

 

My ignition switch came loose a while back to the point where i could actually adjust the way the key is positioned. I was able to hand tighten it by twisting that silver circle but recently i have been having starting issues as well. Could this be the reason? Sometimes the car won't crank or sometimes it will crank and quickly die. This doesn't happen all the time but ocassionally.

 

Dnasty, repositioning the ignition shouldn't matter unless you moved it so much that you've tangled a wire, but with an electronic ignition it either tells the car to start or it does not. It sounds like you might be having an issue with your Crank Position Sensor. Take it in for a code reading.

 

I took it in for code reading my mechanic said it was the eis. From what i hear the crank position sensor will not show a fault if its an issue anyway is this true?Also looking at that guys ignition switch mine is almost totally verticle so i dunno it may have shifted quite a bit. I can still loosin it and reposition it is it worth doing?

 

I was able to crank the vehicle after gently inserting the key into the switch. Once to move it into the garage for the night and the next day to drive it to the shop. The shop had the vehicle for a couple of hours. The shop called me 45 minutes be closing asking me to pick up the vehicle before they closed. Repaired no charge.

 

Were you having a starting issue based on the eis being loose?

 

My wife drove the vehicle home and the system locked up. The loose EIS may have been going on for while. She does stay anything until there is major problem.

She played with the EIS for a few minutes and could not unlock. She finally mention to me there was a problem.

I gently inserted the key. No problem drive the vehicle into the garage at home. The next day drove surface streets to the shop about thirteen miles from home.

 

Women right...... jk.

 

She was headed for the vehicle with two large screw drivers. Stop do not go near that vehicle with any tools you will blow the whole electronic system.