Ignition switch or lock tumbler?

[olinjohnston]

The other day I started the car (11/93 840Ci) and noticed that only the SRS light came on and the rest of the instrument cluster and the MID was still off. After I started driving, the gauges and the MID came to life, and the gong sounded as if I had just turned the key, but the car was already driving. Today I started the engine and the MID said "KEY IN IGNITION LOCK" while running. The engine seems to start up fine, but something isn't connecting. I didn't want to order any new parts until I narrowed it down. Maybe a fuse? Ignition switch? Lock tumbler?

Thanks!

[Timm]

That does sound like the electric part of the system - the ignition switch. It is a multi-throw multi-pole switch and if one bit changes, the rest should too! The best write up is for the E38 but the same for the E31: http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/244045