For the e36 owners

[Barkie]

My brother's e36 ignition seems to bugger arround at the moment. Every now and again the key will turn full 360 degree without starting the engine! Is this a common fault? Is it just a matter of replacing the unit.

 

[freerider]

tumbler is stuffed, get it fixed while it still sometimes works. My next door neighbor had this happen to him, but he left it until it wouldnt bite at all.

 

[Jandre]

Mine does the same. Only in one direction though. When you switch the car off, the key will just turn and turn. never had the problem on start-up though.

 

[Barkie]

Thanks freerider. Will let him know.

 

[Clownshoe]

tumbler is stuffed, get it fixed while it still sometimes works. My next door neighbor had this happen to him, but he left it until it wouldnt bite at all.

BUT my 97 E36 did that the first day I had it and occasionally for the last 10 years with no permanent problem...

 

[Muney]

Mine started doing it a couple of months before I sold her. By then I was already sick of doing maintenance on her so I said stuff this and left it like that!

 

[Threetwoeight]

Mine does the same for a long time now - dog dit was n safety feature.

Then one day when switching off it turned freely and I took the key out with the car still running - oops.
Had to take the switch of the barrel - turn the switch to off and put back again - or something like that.

Ok for 6 months now

Make sure you do not take the key out in the wrong position. -should not happen I know