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Thread: Ignition lock - key won't go in

  1. #1
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    Ignition lock - key won't go in

    And now for something completely different (cit.)

    As of yesterday, a new feature has ENHANCED our relationship with the daily E38. Sometimes, the key will not go into the ignition barrel. It's as if it were jammed out.

    With a fair amount of fiddling, we've been able to get it to work a few times but I'd rather not discover that it's not going to work any more, especially because we're travelling at present.

    Any ideas? Experiences? Other than getting a can of Dupont's Teflon spray and emptying it in there?

  2. #2
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    Last edited by Timm; 02-23-2018 at 03:01 PM.
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  3. #3
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    Thanks Tim.

    So you think that this may be the barrel that needs replacement? I was reading your howto a couple days ago.

  4. #4
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    Yes, or it is possibly the interlock between the shifter and the barrel that is the problem. This is a short cable that runs from the shifter to the barrel - it is there to stop the key being removed unless the shifter is in Park. Sometimes it is this that needs adjusting as per the second link in my post above.
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


    My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
    My Current 840ci Sport Individual
    My Current 650ci Sport Individual
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  5. #5
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    Right, I'm familiar with the mechanism though I have never had to go play with it. The adjustment activity is at the barrel end?

  6. #6
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