Steering Lock? Loose ingnition!?

[kbking328i]

:mad

so every time I try to start my 98 328i, for some reason the steering lock engages, and now my ignition is loose, and rotates counter-clockwise (the lock doesnt but hte unit itself does). It doesn't rotate clockwise past a certain point. Also, at random points it feels like I am loosing my power steering? Any ideas? I was thinking loose ignition wires, or maybe something wrong with the fan belt. Oh and now my driver side lock doesnt move at all :eyecrazy

also when steering lock is engaged it can take up to 60 seconds for me to get the key to turn

[benemorius]

That sounds typical of a fairly common ignition cylinder failure in these cars. I'd recommend searching the board for more information on it as I know I've discussed the matter in past threads and I don't remember the details now as well as I did then. In short, there's an antitheft mechanism which separates the tumbler from the rest of the cylinder. It performs its function by permanently breaking itself, but is subject to accidental breakage after years of use. Assuming that's what's happened to yours, be prepared to replace the entire ignition assembly to the tune of a couple hundred dollars.

In any case, this is entirely unrelated to power steering, wiring, fan belts, and door locks.