Spining ignition barrel!!!!! >:( - BMW Forum

theluis · 05-04-2011, 08:33 PM

ok so two days ago i got home from work and i went to turn off my car but when i took the key out it was still running,, so i tried the whole bobby pin in the hole thing and well ive been tring for hours and it still wont come out,, ive tried bobby pins, paper clips, even a tiny drill bit that i found and it will not come out. bottom line is does any one know a sure fire way to get this thing out i dont care if i break it its broken anyways,, please help i need this car to go to work and school,, so far ive been having to hotwire it to turn it on and pull the fuel pump fuse to turn it off!!

David Mc · 05-05-2011, 05:33 AM

3 Tips:

1. Use a paperclip made from the largest diameter wire that will fit in the release hole.

2. File a 45 degree bevel on the end of the paperclip and have a 90 degree bend in the other end so that you can twist the paperclip around, (i.e. bend the paperclip into an L shape, bevel the tip of the short end of the L, which should be about 1 1/2 inches in length so that you can use the long leg of the L to twist the paperclip fully into the release hole).

3. Make sure that you have the ignition key inserted and ignition barrel turned into position 1 when you attempt to release the pin (more info here Spinning Ignition barrel repair - United Bimmer Community - BMW Forum )

If all else fails, download this 4shared, Online file sharing and storage (the password to download is help).

theluis · 05-09-2011, 12:32 AM

hey thanks for the suggestions but i still cant get it out so im going to remove the whole housing and put another assembly on..
but thanks anyways..
it was you in that other forum that posted that huh?.. nice

beewee · 10-22-2011, 09:01 PM

Hi Guys;

is there an easy way to do this, Im in an area wjere nobody knows how to service this that replace the whole assembly.

Can I just , rotate the key in the first position, then if i find it, bore a tiny hole under it and put a screw then?

please help, mine is already rotating and i know soon it will cause headache.

beewee

David Mc · 10-23-2011, 03:29 AM

This will give you some ideas Spinning Ignition barrel repair - United Bimmer Community - BMW Forum

theluis · 11-08-2011, 11:37 AM

so I never was able to fix the ignition switch since I m in college and I have no money :/
so I put it on a switch and a button. I will post pics as soon as I figure out how lol