Ignition Barrel/Tumbler query

[Fabi05]

Hi all

I cant seem to find the answer to this online anywhere - A small spring inside my ignition barrel broke in 2 and wont let the key click past II.

Inside the tumbler is a small semi-circle and a square with a little semi-circle on top of it - I've added a picture below. Are they all the same fitting? The end of my key mechanism fits into this, so would it be possible to buy a new ignition barrel and fit my current key into this?

I am attempting to ideally keep my current key as it would cost a lot more and be a lot more work to replace all the parts to have a working key/fob set on the car.

[Baffler]

Not sure if the pictures are still visible but is this thread of any use? Ignition won't turn beyond position II

[Fabi05]

Originally Posted by Baffler

Not sure if the pictures are still visible but is this thread of any use? Ignition won't turn beyond position II

Hi, yes this was very informative and reassuring, I saw this thread previously but failed to see the multiple pages it had! I have the same issue with the small metal snapped in half, and spent a good hour trying to fish them out but it seemed impossible with the metal plunger that you can see still in the ignition barrel in my picture. I noticed you were able to remove yours in your thread?

I'm currently looking into buying a.. quite pricey... ignition barrel from a breaker yard and was hoping I'd be able to remove mine, replace it with that one and hopefully pop my key mechanism into that one as the fitting all looks the same across every x40 p2 i've seen so far? Would rather not have to disassemble the current ignition barrel in my car though.. with all the shear bolts and whatnot.

Would you be able to clarify how you managed to remove the metal plunger from the barrel where the key mechanism fits in? That way I'd hopefully be able to just replace that tiny half-moon metal piece!

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by Fabi05

Would you be able to clarify how you managed to remove the metal plunger from the barrel where the key mechanism fits in? That way I'd hopefully be able to just replace that tiny half-moon metal piece!

I'm afraid many moons have passed since removal so I can't remember the intricacies of the mechanism. I do remember my anticipation of removing that inner portion, seen in your pic, for fear the broken pieces dropping into the locking mechanism...hence why I removed the whole assembly.

Are you able to view the pictures with that inner portion removed?

[Fabi05]

Originally Posted by Baffler

Are you able to view the pictures with that inner portion removed?

Yeah I've seen these, I'm currently on that step of trying to figure out how to remove that. I couldnt get mine out - but I havent been able to pull it properly as I dont have any needle pliers.

I'm likely going to purchase the same ignition barrel and mess around with the working one out of the car before doing anything with the one in my car as the other day I immobilised my car as I couldnt get the key mechanism back in as the inner portion was locked up by the broken little metal pieces, and without the key I couldnt turn off the steering lock!

Will probably give it a go once I get the new one. Just not looking forwards to having to deal with the shear bolts

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by Fabi05

Yeah I've seen these, I'm currently on that step of trying to figure out how to remove that. I couldnt get mine out - but I havent been able to pull it properly as I dont have any needle pliers.

I was going to say try pull it out with some needle pliers and then attach a length of suitable rubber hose to your vacuum cleaner and try fish out any offending broken bits. By far the easiest and quickest option. Unfortunately, I think they are non-ferrous metal so a telescopic magnet is not much use but, by all means, correct me on that.

Originally Posted by Fabi05

I'm likely going to purchase the same ignition barrel and mess around with the working one out of the car before doing anything with the one in my car as the other day I immobilised my car as I couldnt get the key mechanism back in as the inner portion was locked up by the broken little metal pieces, and without the key I couldnt turn off the steering lock!

I would hate to see you going to any unnecessary expense, I didn't, and just remove the broken bits and reassemble. Gatos was so very kind to send me the actual gubbins but they have sat in a drawer ever since.

Originally Posted by Fabi05

Will probably give it a go once I get the new one. Just not looking forwards to having to deal with the shear bolts

Some aspects of their removal is coming back to me now. It's not the easiest of positions to work comfortably in so, if you must remove the whole assembly, beg/borrow/steal a Dremmel and cut slots into the heads of the shear screws. They're not overly tight so any initial purchase you can make on them they should simply walk out.