E34 - Ignition Key Stuck/Jammed

[ehoe]

My E34 ignition key is stuck!. The key can only be turned just slightly enough to release the steering lock then can go no further. So I can't even crank the engine to start it. Somehow something is causing it to be stuck/jammed mid way thru the key turning circle. Anyone has had this problem before? if so what was the problem and how to resolve?I had to dismantle the whole steering cover and remove the ignition starter which is attached to the key lock mechanism to start the car manually using a screwdriver. Help!.

 

[kahar]

welcome to the forum ehoe im not tryin to crack up a joke, but i hope its not due to yer gear bein in N where it shld b in P b4 takin out the key... does yer car has any security system installed?other than dat, i cant help much n im not sure if yer problem is common or had been faced by anyone ere .. anybody? rgds, B)kahar abdullah

 

[ehoe]

Well seeing mine is a manual transmission, definately can't be in the wrong gear. The problem is some form of mechanical jamming happening in the locking mechanism inside, I just need to figure out what it is. I just hope its something simple and can be easily fixed else I'm gonna have to change the whole locking mechanism and that could be big $$$$.

 

[chinlai]

Similar thing happened to me when I was duplicating a key for my car.. Did you try to jiggle it with some wd40?

 

[jeffreyewe]

happened to me once, had to change the whole steering column. Basically its the gear in the ignition being worn out.

 

[flash]

Originally posted by jeffreyewe@Dec 17 2004, 12:13 AM happened to me once, had to change the whole steering column. Basically its the gear in the ignition being worn out.
Did you have to change the whole steering column? How much did it cost you?

 

[jeffreyewe]

Got it from the kedai potong, comes with ingition and key.....RM 150.

 

[OSFlanker]

Time to change to push button startup...........why replace when you can upgrade??? ehoe, use the Rotax kart start button !!!!! hehehe

 

[flash]

Originally posted by OSFlanker@Dec 17 2004, 01:02 AM Time to change to push button startup...........why replace when you can upgrade??? ehoe, use the Rotax kart start button !!!!! hehehe
Thumbs up... good idea too. But wud need a good alarm system too.

 

[ehoe]

Just to let all that responded know I have found the problem to my stuck ignition key problem. It wasn't the key locking mechanism itself but the steering lock mechanism itself. A small little spring clip inside the steering lock broke and was jamming the key from turning further. Had to replace the whole steering locking mechanism but luckily was able to reuse back my key locking mechanism so use back the same key. Found a 2nd hand steering lock housing so now I'm back on the road. Thanks to all that responded....