HELP! Key won't always turn!

[NordicSwede]

Help! My -98 523i decided to begin hating me last week and has been difficult to start since. You have to wrestle with the key and jiggle the steering wheel until it turns, sometimes with a snap. after you get the key to turn to the first position there's no more problems and the steering lock is unengaged. I've been looking on the internet and people say it's got something to do with the lock cylinder being the wrong way round but I haven't removed it but the key has been able to spin backwards since I bought it this summer. Could that have something to do with it?

I've also seen people drill into the steering lock mechanism to have some ball and spring fall out, but it's not the steering lock that's bothering me so I don't think that would work.

[justinca540i]

That might be. But also that's a security feature. To lock the steering and ignition. Do you happen to bump the steering after the engine is shut off and get movement from it?

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[NordicSwede]

No I haven't bumped the steering after I've turned the engine off it began about a week ago

[justinca540i]

No I haven't bumped the steering after I've turned the engine off it began about a week ago

http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/89305251


Would this help?

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[mpo]

It is pretty common to need a new lock cylinder in these. You order it from the dealer and you give them your VIN so it will match your keys. I got one from a dealer in Florida I think and it was around $129 as I recall. They are pretty easy to change, there are some YouTube videos. I did it a couple years ago so I don't remember the exact details. I think you turn it to a position then stick a small drill bit in a little hole and it pulls out. Then you just push the new one in.