electrical and ignition Ignition & Steering Column Locked. Help Needed!

[danjrusdug]

Hey guys & gals.  Haven't been on here since the new look.  I'm not having any luck searching for what I need either although there was a thread started like this but it didn't give me the answers I needed.  Anyways....

 

My key(s) won't turn and the steering column is locked as well.  I used to be able to rock the steering wheel to get the key to turn, but it has progressively gotten worse.  Fortunately, the last time it locked, it was parked in the garage (8 months ago).

 

I see where some have said to drill out the pin in the ignition, but I don't see where that is supposed to happen.  I am a big guy and laying in the car doesn't work for me.  I was going to pull the entire steering column out so I could see what I was doing, but this has become a chore as the pictures in my shop manual do not look like what I am looking at.

 

So instead of going and causing myself further pain & suffering, does anyone have a writeup on what I am trying to do?  Pictures would be wonderful!  I can take pictures of where I am now as well.

 

My time is limited as I travel out every week and am only home on the weekends, that is if my wife doesn't travel to where I am located.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Doug

Like I said.  Its been awhile.  This is a 1973 2002tii.

 

Thanks again in advance!

 

Doug

[Buckeye]

I found this thread with a few close-up pictures. Hope it works!

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/109547-solvedupdate-ignition-tumblernoob-question/?hl=ignition+key+locked

[danjrusdug]

OK, so from what I've read on here, if the key won't turn to be able to punch out the roll pin and I need to drill it out.   Is this where I drill it out?  I started and then wanted to make sure I was in the right place.  How deep should I drill before worrying about going too far?

 

(Crap!  This is not very intuitive.  How do I attach a picture?  'My Media only looks at pictures already downloaded & 'Image' only uses URLs.)

[airborne85]

Hi there

 

My car currently has the same problem...And I've heard about the drilling thing..It's probably a better and more permanent fix...

 

However, in the mean time here's what I do..Relax.  No really relax..Because I'm sure you've found in the several turns and tuggs that this condition does not respond to strength..Yep, my fingers have been plenty sore..

 

What I do is put the key in the ignition. Turn the wheel as far to the right or left as possible depending on which direction it's locked in.  I then hold the wheel in that position with my knees.  I then "gently" turn the key while at the same time searching for the sweet spot with the key "it's there"...

 

So this means turn the key alittle at a time you may have to even back the key out ever so slightly while finding this spot.  So, patience is the thing it will wok it's just finding the spot.  This is my tried and true method through the car being hot from the sun and I'm sweating to death.  To cold dark all of my friends are gone and I'm just there thinking "damn I make waaay to much money to be f'kg with this thing"..

 

The pay off is once you find the sweet spot it it stays the same in my experience...

 

Again do this when you have time..Just relax.  Your fingers will love you for it...

 

Again, my car has been in this sane condition for over 1 year, it starts every-time without a bunch of effort.

 

good luck

 

ira

[colorobo2002]

try this...

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/144275-how-to-remove-ignition-lock-with-hammer-punch/?hl=ignition#entry959334

[73touring]

An alternative anti theft device!

If you take the lower stalk cover off. I think you might be able to acess the pin but I might be thinking of an e30

[danjrusdug]

try this...

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/144275-how-to-remove-ignition-lock-with-hammer-punch/?hl=ignition#entry959334

 

Thanks.  I've seen this post.  I would try that if I could get my key to turn at all.  

[danjrusdug]

Hi there

 

My car currently has the same problem...And I've heard about the drilling thing..It's probably a better and more permanent fix...

 

However, in the mean time here's what I do..Relax.  No really relax..Because I'm sure you've found in the several turns and tuggs that this condition does not respond to strength..Yep, my fingers have been plenty sore..

 

What I do is put the key in the ignition. Turn the wheel as far to the right or left as possible depending on which direction it's locked in.  I then hold the wheel in that position with my knees.  I then "gently" turn the key while at the same time searching for the sweet spot with the key "it's there"...

 

So this means turn the key alittle at a time you may have to even back the key out ever so slightly while finding this spot.  So, patience is the thing it will wok it's just finding the spot.  This is my tried and true method through the car being hot from the sun and I'm sweating to death.  To cold dark all of my friends are gone and I'm just there thinking "damn I make waaay to much money to be f'kg with this thing"..

 

The pay off is once you find the sweet spot it it stays the same in my experience...

 

Again do this when you have time..Just relax.  Your fingers will love you for it...

 

Again, my car has been in this sane condition for over 1 year, it starts every-time without a bunch of effort.

 

good luck

 

ira

Thanks ira.  Glad this worked for you.  I've tried this about every weekend for the last 6 months.  I think that is being relaxed and about laid back as I can be.  I've over that now and ready for a real solution.  :-)

[colorobo2002]

Once you tap the pin through, you can remove the cylinder even if you can't turn the key. Once you remove the cylinder, you can find out if it is the problem, or the mechanism behind it.

Once you remove the cylinder you can turn that the ignition with a screwdriver and unlock the column/start the car.

 

Good luck,

Rob