GolfGTIforum.co.uk

General => General discussion => Topic started by: tobz. on 14 March 2005, 12:48

Title: New ignition barrel???
Post by: tobz. on 14 March 2005, 12:48
I think I've asked this before but does anybody know if you can order a new ignition barrel from VAG for an existing key???
Sometimes the ignition on my mk2 is a b!tch to switch-on, you have to wiggle the key a bit, take it out, put it back in then it will switch-on. The key is the original VAG key and doesn't look at all worn (I've got two they both do it). I don't really want the hassle of changing all the locks, just wanna change the ignition switch before I end up stranded.

Anybody know???

Toby
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: mrwotto on 14 March 2005, 13:04
Try changing the switch at the back of the barrel the problem could well be that.

By the way does any one know how to change a barrel as i cant suss it out.

I need to change my switch / barrel on my mk2, but cant see anyway of getting the barrel out????
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: gibby on 14 March 2005, 14:30
Tobz, I asked the very same question to VAG the other week and the answer I got was a resounding "No" but they can however get you a new key to fit a new barrel that fits all the new locks that they would gladly change for you at some extorniate rate !  :shocked: :shocked:

Before doing anything so drastic there should be a white plug at the bottom of the ignition barrel, these can wear out too, try getting a new one of those first as I've had to get mine changed and they only cost about ?10 from ECP. I forgot what the part is called though.  :undecided:

Failing this I guess it's a new barrel with a new key that's going to be different to your door locks I'm afraid.  :sad:
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: tobz. on 14 March 2005, 15:23
Hmmm looks like I'm in for some expense at some point then.
Gibby when you say the white plug at the bottom wears out is the symptom that the key turns but the ignition doesn't come on or that the key simply wont turn???
My symptom is that I can't physically turn the key.

The ignition of my gf's 1991 driver is exactly the same, I'm sure I've heard that VW ignitions are known to wear out easily.
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: Mr Blue on 14 March 2005, 15:29
i know your not daft but sure its nothing to do with the steering lock? tried shaking the steering when turning?
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: tobz. on 14 March 2005, 15:38
i know your not daft

Cheers Blue, flattery will get you everywhere  :evil:

Good suggestion blue but unfortunately it seems so be independant of whether the steering lock is on or not. The first time it happened the steering lock was off, seems to be the same regardless of whether the steering lock is on or off. Most of the time it switches on absolutely fine, but then there'll be the occasion where it might take 30seconds of messing about
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: free on 14 March 2005, 16:22
i had that prob with the swich on my gti all the time :angry: took ages 2 sus it out, ,
it wouldent turn the fuel pump on, and you had to just keep turning it n and off till it kicked in
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: gibby on 14 March 2005, 16:42
Gibby when you say the white plug at the bottom wears out is the symptom that the key turns but the ignition doesn't come on or that the key simply wont turn???
My symptom is that I can't physically turn the key.

Ah ! Maybe not then, the symptoms I was getting was the stereo wouldn't come on as there wasn't a full circuit and it turned out to be the connector in this plug had worn, otherwise I could turn the key on and off with no problems. :smiley:
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: tobz. on 14 March 2005, 16:53
My stereo comes on no problem as soon as I put the key in (infact that can be a pain, you put the key in and music comes blaring out to further stress you out while you're struggling with the key!!!).
It seems like I have more of a mechanical failure than an electrical one, as soon as the key turns the switch works 100% as it should.

Looks like that full set of locks is looming  :sad:
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: hairyarse on 15 March 2005, 12:15
Hold up - despite what your vw man says there may (???) be an answer.

I know you can get a 'kit' from VW for about ?30 to re-tumble locks to suit a specific key. It was posted on MK1 Owners Club forum recently (site is down at present :cry:) It sorts problem if for eg (like on my car) your drivers door lock is different to rest, you can re-tumble the lock to suit original key. It's a b!tch that it's your ignition but if same as MK1 then case of drilling a hole in the right place to remove (Haynes will tell you) then you could possibly re-tumble existing lock or just get another 2nd hand one and re-tumble that.

Hope that all makes sense?! :shocked:
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: mrwotto on 15 March 2005, 13:03
My barrel turns no problem everything comes on, just have to fiddle with the key to keep it going
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: tobz. on 15 March 2005, 13:06
Cheers hairy that sounds like a possible solution, I remember the guy who bought my old 8v spoke about re-tumbling the locks so they all matched. Maybe I'll send him a pm to see how it's done and what is needed.
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: hairyarse on 15 March 2005, 15:13
The MK1 owners club should be back online later this week. If so, search posts for it. I'm sure it was forum member called 'littlekev' who posted about it as he works for VW. You buy a kit which would re-tumble quite a large number of locks. So you could always re-do yours and then sell on the rest of the kit to someone else who has similar problem.

I think it might be one of those things some VW bods wont know about so keep pestering them! :wink:
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: tobz. on 15 March 2005, 15:41
Sounds pretty handy, do you have the link for the mk1 owners club forum???
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: Gambit on 15 March 2005, 15:48
before you go about retumbling i would try a new key (a lot cheaper!) if that dont work then i suggest changing the little doofer at the end of the barrel
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: tobz. on 15 March 2005, 16:15
I had thought about trying another key but as I have two which behave exactly the same and one doesn't appear to have any wear I'm not sure that would resolve the problem. Which bit do you mean by the doofer do you mean the actual electrical switch. I've not yet actually taken an ignition switch apart so I'm not familiar with the components used in the complete assembly.
I've had a look on the gpc website and they list a complete lock set for ?50. I've emailed and they confirmed that the set includes the ignition, both doors, tailgate and the glovebox lock. I'm just waiting for confirmation that they are all genuine parts. Seems like a good deal to me, my tailgate lock doesn't currently work so I may just consider changing the whole lot.
Title: Re: New ignition barrel???
Post by: hairyarse on 16 March 2005, 14:03
?50 isn't too bad. I think the 're-tumbling' kit was about ?30. If the 'doofer' at the end of the barrel is the ignition switch I'd be surprised if you have problem with it not turning. I think (?) they will always turn, just wont start the car if knackered. They're cheap from GSF too!

Mk1 Owners Club is www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk but site is down for another day or two - since we changed from Campaign Register to the Mk1 Owners Club site usage has gone up that much that we've exceeded site limits so there's only a temporary forum at present. Should be back up by end of week tho.

Of interest, if you go to temporary forum, I know 'littlekev' has been in there posting and he is the one who said about these tumbling kits.