Ignition barrel stuck

[Jakes]

Hi guys,

Maybe someone can give me a heads up on this. I just went out to my 318is, and when I attempted to start the vehicle, the ignition shifted to AC and got stuck. It refuses to turn either way...:banghead:

Now my thoughts are that the ignition barrel is messed. Any idea of the price on these from the stealers? Maybe replace it with 2nd hand barrel and key?

Will I be able to use one from a 316 or 318 or even a 320 etc? I dont think there is much of a difference.

One more thing, if I change the barrel, will this effect my alarm and keyless entry(remote)?...:thinking:

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Hellas]

Keep it unlocked, break off the key inside and install a push button start. One of the nicer 'nice-to-have' mods around. :thumbsup:

 

[StK]

What year and model car you talking about? E36 E46?pre EWS or post EWS? there are guides on youtube on how to change an ignition barrel...if your car has EWS then its not so simple as breaking the key off in the barrel as you would need the transponder in the key too....as well as the fact that if you install remote start then your car becomes prone to theft...You can start them with a smartphone.....

 

[Jakes]

Sorry guys, the details of my car:
'98 E36 318is.

Heres the full story aswell. From the day I bough the car the ignition did something unusual. Every now and then, it turned 360 degrees around, i had to wiggle the key and then turn it in order to get the ignition to respond. So last night it did the same, except this time, when I wiggled and turned it, it got stuck on the AC and wouldn't move. I couldn't switch it on or off. I had to disconnect the battery terminal in order to shut down the car and fuel pump.

I believe the key is coded(EWS). Correct me if I am wrong, but I will not be able to just swap the barrel and key, I will have to have the new key coded to my car's ECU.

Will I be able to change the transceiver from my old key, onto my new key?

---

Response I got from Clifton M3 centre -

"Morning,we should be getting a vechical in later.we only sell the ews
system complete(ignition,key,ews box) you looking at 1750. please
email me your number and ill call you when the vechical
arrives.thanking you,kind regards.nancy-cliftons m3 centre."

Any comments?

 

[Stiffler_PE]

Hey Jakes,

I went through what you did on my previous beemer ( also 318is )

I never got the 360 spinning though... but the barrel did lock up just as you said. I did research and in the end got a conclusive answer from BMW. There is a steel pin that forms part of the steering lock mechanism. That part has failed and the little pin has come loose. In some cases it falls out completely and you have the 360 degree key problem but sometimes the pin gets lodged in the key mechanism/barrel and you then have the locked barrel symptom.

I called around the local locksmiths and was qouted in the range of R4 to R6k !! then they install a secondary ignition barrel in the place of the original barrel in tandem with the original. You then need to have the orginal key in the original barrel for the transponder portion of the alarm and a seperate generic key to start the car.
After hearing that i was not happy :bawling:

I then went to BMW dealer and sat down with them and in the end i got a brand new coded barrel sent out from Ze Fazerland and installed into the car by BMW for under R2k Yes i was just as surprised lol. And all quick as a flash, before you could say " before ze germans get here "
Only hassle is you need SOOO much paperwork... need to prove car is yours and legit and blah blah... for obvious reasons.


I would suggets you pop into the stealer and chat to them, they often surprise me with there prices.... then again there are days when stealer prices make you wanna :cursin:

Hope things work out for the best.. keep us posted.

Cheers

 

[Raybimmer]

From what year were E36 EWS , I had a key cut for my 1992 325i and it worked ok , not coded or anything .
On E30 the cover under steering is removed and the wiring harness plugged into the ignition switch pulled off and car started with coin etc .
I see E36 has harnass plug pinned in , can't see how barrel can come out .

 

[StK]

Sorry guys, the details of my car:
'98 E36 318is.

Heres the full story aswell. From the day I bough the car the ignition did something unusual. Every now and then, it turned 360 degrees around, i had to wiggle the key and then turn it in order to get the ignition to respond. So last night it did the same, except this time, when I wiggled and turned it, it got stuck on the AC and wouldn't move. I couldn't switch it on or off. I had to disconnect the battery terminal in order to shut down the car and fuel pump.

I believe the key is coded(EWS). Correct me if I am wrong, but I will not be able to just swap the barrel and key, I will have to have the new key coded to my car's ECU.

Will I be able to change the transceiver from my old key, onto my new key?

---

Response I got from Clifton M3 centre -

"Morning,we should be getting a vechical in later.we only sell the ews
system complete(ignition,key,ews box) you looking at 1750. please
email me your number and ill call you when the vechical
arrives.thanking you,kind regards.nancy-cliftons m3 centre."

Any comments?

---

Where I am you can get a new barrel from the stealers that will take your original key..its just a case of taking the old one out and putting the new one in..You would have to make sure the barrel is coded to your EWS first and would be considerably cheaper than having the whole lot replaced....I would suggest you ask your stealer...Very simple to change the barrel..you can DIY

 

[Jakes]

Ok guys,

So Saturday morning we strip the steering column and remove the barrel.

I took a chance and dropped it at master keys to see what they can do... They stripped it and informed me that the cost would be R655...

After trade discount (thanx to a buddy), the total price was R585. The ignition is working perfectly, the only problem is that the covers don't fit coz the guy reassemble the plastic ring the wrong way around. Will be taking it back tomorrow for them to fix it for me.

 

[Jakes]

Took it apart yet again.... Took the ignition back to masterkeys and they fixed their mistake. So everything is back in and working 100%. Total cost: R585...

 

[caldecrack]

I also had the same problem and went to various BMW mechies and all said i had to go to stealers. i endend up taking it apart myself and took it to my local locksmith he drilled out the barrel and MADE!! a new 1. all in all cost R325. Stealers wanted R6500 4 a new 1 and i'd hv to wait 3 weeks.

 

[SKALA]

I also had the same problem and went to various BMW mechies and all said i had to go to stealers. i endend up taking it apart myself and took it to my local locksmith he drilled out the barrel and MADE!! a new 1. all in all cost R325. Stealers wanted R6500 4 a new 1 and i'd hv to wait 3 weeks.

Hi, my first posting on this forum. Go look at www.e36tech.forumup.co.za under "faulty ignition switch" and also "google" same for plenty info. When ignition is working again, drill small hole and lock barrel in place with a flat top screw, as is explained on "google" site. Good luck if you guys encounter this common e36 problem.

 

[Solo Man]

I have a E39 528i 1998 model with the same type of ignition barrel (revolving type) Pin also broke off but still worked for about 4 years like that. I read up about the problem on some UK forums and decided to fix this hit and miss afair for good. Took the barrel out, took apart what I could and oiled it and put it back. Put the key in, but could not get it turned any further.Was as if the barrel was stuck in the steering lock position. Eventually got the lock and key guy to come out. He dismantled the back part of the barrel by removing the covers around the steering wheel base and eventually got the whole lock out. Took it apart, cleaned it again, got everything together and working and then drilled a small hole through the casing and locked it with a self tapper. It is working fine since then. Cost was R650 if i remember correctly.

 

[Hellas]

Good idea would be to blow some powdered graphite into the barrel. No maintenance needed after that. I always used to take a pencil and scrape the lead until I have enough to blow into the barrel. Use a straw for this. :thumbsup:

 

[Gerhardm32]

Good idea would be to blow some powdered graphite into the barrel. No maintenance needed after that. I always used to take a pencil and scrape the lead until I have enough to blow into the barrel. Use a straw for this. :thumbsup:

Nice tip, thanks.

 

[Jandre]

I seriously need to do this before ol POFS decide to bite me in the ass again. When I switch the engine off, my key will turn and turn and.. well... you get the idea. On start up however it is still working fine, no glitches at all.

However!!!! This car has now run faultlessly for nearly two months. Something bad is BOUND to happen soon......

 

[Solo Man]

I put a small quantity of graphite in (got about 500g of graphite in a bucket) after i had cleaned the barrel. Then i squirted some Q40 in just to make sure. BIG MISTAKE. Could not turn the barrel - see my previous message! The locksmith advised me not to put anything in there although i still am convinced that a small amount of Q40 will not hurt.

 

[Skillet]

Ok guys,

So Saturday morning we strip the steering column and remove the barrel.

I took a chance and dropped it at master keys to see what they can do... They stripped it and informed me that the cost would be R655...

After trade discount (thanx to a buddy), the total price was R585. The ignition is working perfectly, the only problem is that the covers don't fit coz the guy reassemble the plastic ring the wrong way around. Will be taking it back tomorrow for them to fix it for me.

Will you please give me the contact details for Master Keys? The contact person that helped you would also help ALOT!

Thanks!!

 

[Skillet]

A R28.00 bottle of graphite powder just saved me ALOT of money!!! Good as new!

 

[Diablo Jnr]

Easiest fix is to remove the barrel, drill a hole and install a new pin...most locksmiths can do this then you dont have to wait for the steelers to order a new barrel from germany.

 

[CharlEng]

Hi all,

Since the same thing heppened to me but was stuck in the off position and wouldn't turn, I decided to do a write up to help others. :bangdesk:

My key wouldn't turn which means I cant take out the tumbler part with a bobby pin since it can't turn with the key. (If you can still turn your key, maybe this will help -

)

I opened up the upper and lower steering cover, unscrewed the two flat head screws holding the ignition switch in place (they are covered with red wax - this video helped

) and then drilled a hole under the assembly to remove a spring holding the steering lock in place (this video helped

). So I drove it to a locksmith, who gave me a dodgy look and said it'll cost about R450 and he can fix it on Monday. BMW said they need to replace the entire assembly, Googled a price, parts alone looks to be R5500.

Will update you on how that went.