SL/R129: Steering Wheel Locked
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 4
From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Steering Wheel Locked
On my old 1996 SL320, my steering wheel is locked and will not turn.I can put the key in the ignition and start the car without any problem, but I noticed when I remove the key, I don’t hear a release sound when I pull the key out. Normally if you turn the car off, and open the door you will hear a buzzer that the key is still in the ignition, if you take the key out and put it back in, the buzzer stops. Now with the key in the ignition or out of the ignition you hear the buzzer and more importantly the steering wheel is locked.Has anyone come across this issue and or have any suggestions for me?Thanks in advance for any help.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
The steering lock is not disengaging. If you remove the knee bolster under the dash and look up you may see that the plastic sleeve which mates the ignition switch to the lock is cracked. If I remember correctly, as an anti-theft measure if ever the sleeve separates from the lock the lock becomes permanently engaged and must be cut off. A reciprocating saw with a quality blade works well for this purpose.
