Help! Ignition key cylinder popped out yesterday!

[bmw_jeff]

As I starteded the car yesterday I felt the key press in a little more than normal while turning it to the on position. When I let go the cylinder with key in it popped out of its housing (it has a small spring in there under tension?). Anyway, the car was still running fine so I drove home and then re-installed the cylinder, the turning end of which fits into a grove in the column side, and shut the car off. The problem is I cannot see how to get the cylinder to "lock" in place in there, it just keeps coming loose.

My car is a 67 with the metal steering column (not padded) and I think the ignition cylinder is different that later models but hopefully they are locked in the same way. Anyone? Thanks!

[pkbinplano]

where the tumbler slides in to. You'll see a little roll pin. Tap it out and use a small self tapping sheetmetal screw in it's place. Put the tumbler in and secure it with the sheetmetal screw.

[PeteinMissionViejo]

Your cylinder was probably originally held in with a rolled hollow sleeve. Often on replacement of the key cylinder this rolled sleeve is punched out or drilled out. Look underneath for a small hole. Put a small screw in which will hold the cylinder in and it will be easy to take the key cylinder out in the future if you need to work on it. When I did this I tried a few screw until I found one with about the right diameter and just screwed it in - self tapping. It doesn't need to be very long 1/8 to 1/4".

Pete

68 1600

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips guys!

[TMK-001]

Can you post some pics of your M3!?! It sounds like an awesome combination - I have never seen a white one with red interior.

[Mike Self]

I have a column coming out in either the July or Aug Roundel on 2002 ignition locks, and yes, your '67 ign lock is different from those used after about march '69--it's smaller in diameter (I found this out the hard way when mine broke last fall).

Did just the cylinder part (with the key, the part that turns with the key) come out, or the entire lock assy? If the former, e-mail me for a fix; if the latter, there's a roll pin that has either broken or fallen out; you'll see the pin/hole on the pot metal housing that holds the lock once you remove the lower steering column shroud. Just use a small sheet metal screw (or another roll pin) to reinstall.

cheers

mike