Ignition Switch

[jezza16v]

Hi all.... I'm normally in the mk2 section but my son's mk3 has a problem with the ignition switch it seems......
Somtimes when he drives over a bump the radio switches on!?    And when the engine is not running he has to jiggle the key to get the radio to come on! Is this a common mk3 problem? Any ideas  how to fix it or is it a case of a whole new ignition barrel? The cars a late 97 1.6GL AFT 123k miles.. Thanks in advance. 

[stomper]

Think its a fairly common problem.

My radio used to come on with the ignition then one day it just wouldn't work.

Took it to local car hi-fi specialist and they said the micro-switch controlling the feed to the radio had gone.

Apparently the new unit is £60-70 for part alone, haven't checked. I've now got a connector which provides a constant feed, means you've got to turn radio off manually or take face off to stop battery from draining, only cost me £12.

Might be worth looking into replacing, if you find out how much it is let us know!!

Hope this helps

[jezza16v]

£60-£70.....ouch!  I'll look into it. Thanks for your reply. 

[rubjonny]

Its gonna be either the ignition switch, or the lock barrel.  Ign switch is cheap so I'd try that first:
http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2022

Tricky to change as the MK3 has a column adaptor over the spline, so the ign housing wont come off the column:
1. Remove steering wheel, ign surround & stalks, remove ign switch plug
2. Remove dash under tray
3. Undo lower column->UJ bolt, and remove completly (important!)
4. Undo bolt holding ign shroud to column bracket, sometimes a shear bolt, sometime a hex head bolt
5. Column should now slide out complete with ign housing attached
6. Remove screw holding on ign switch and swap
7. Refitting is reverse of removal

Someone mentioned that if you had a small screwdriver and bent the end, ytou can just get to the screw holding the ignition switch once the ign switch housing plastic cover is removed, if so that saves you having to do all the above!

[jezza16v]

S**t.... would be easier to change the car I think! 
Oh well. we'll have to investigate further into the bent screwdriver option.
Thanks very much for such detailed feedback. 

[bustersballs]

its not that much of an arse to take the column off, shear bolts are easy to get at once lower trim panel is off. tried the bent screwdriver jobbie and it seeemed to take as long as dropping the column off.

[rubjonny]

It isn't as scary as it sounds, trust me
Only a case of undoing some nut/bolts, then doing em back up again   The only tricky part is that sincle ign housing bolt, on my MK2 its an allen key but on a MK3 in my local scrappy it was a shear bolt.  Came out easy with my mole grips though.  I'd then replace it with an allen key from an earler VW to make your life easier.