Removing ignition lock cylinder

This is one of the "easier" tasks on an F-car..Remove the cowling around the steering column..remove the faceplate surrounding the key hole..you may need too loosen the steering column adjusting bolts..depending on your model loosen the bracket securing the entire ignition mechanism in one piece..I've personally done this several times on my 1980 400i..all of the cars have the same mechanism..once it is loose make a diagram of the ignition wires and then remove them..now..there is a small hex bolt that screws into the shaft ..it may or may not be broken off..technically it's the security bolt and it is supposed to be wacked off(Ferrari Logic)..if it is then the locksmith will have to use an extractor..GT Parts in Peonix has them for about $5..take the whole shibang to a really competent locksmith .preferrably one trained in the U.S. Military..if you need sevicable blanks the are Ilco and Taylor..cheap..$4-5..now is the time to replace that pesky little module on the back that is secured by two screw..not to worry..they are available all day long at BMW or MB parts houses $85-100 smackers.. buy two you're going to need them sooner or later..or you can bend over a FNA..$500 smackers do'nt let ANYONE that these are NLA..it's just not so..when I re-install my mechanism I don't break off the security bolt ...I'm no brute for punishment..I hope this is of some help..Jacques..over..

 

Key lock removal is extremely difficult on a 308 unless the dash is out of the car. With the dash in place, you are forced to remove the upper steering column together with the key lock. And if you think the lock is expensive, price the combination switch. I say that because removing the upper column puts those stalks in peril of being damaged. IOW, proceed with caution. First disconnect the battery. Loosen the steering shaft spline nut, disconnect the shaft at the lower u-joint, unplug the switch connectors for the combination switch, mark, then pull the wires off the back of the key switch (battery is disconnected?), remove the cross bolts and "carefully" remove the column. Now you can remove the key lock. When you put it back together you'll need to re-center the steering with the column.

I had a spare key lock that came with some parts I won off ebay, and I wanted to have a key made for it to keep as a spare. I had no luck locally and called Lake Forest in Chicago. They refered me to a gentleman out in California as no one within the local Chicago area was qualified to work on it either. I dont recall who it was now, but he first asked one simple question; is the inner ring where you insert the key broken. Mine was, and he claimed its junk. Cant be fixed, and it would be too expensive to make a key that is just going to break within a very short while. Next he asked if it was difficult to turn, again this is a sign its worn beyond repair. He claimed that locksmiths who take impressions in an attempt to make a new key are who ruin these locks by being to forceful. There is no way to disassemble the lock without the key, so making an impression is the only possible way to make a key. He claimed that to do it right you carefully make an impression to get a "rough" key, then disassemble the lock to make a "proper" key. IIRC he wanted about $200 to make a new key, but only if I first had a workable lock. The biggest lesson I learned though is to have plenty of spare keys made up in case you lose a set.

New key locks are available for about $400 today, less than a third what they were years ago, and in the end would likely be much less of a headache than trying to make a new key for an old lock.

 

Have you tried a squirt of WD 40 via a small straw in the key slot? It might help.

Ken

 

No reason to pull column. Done it a hundred times laying under dash. Takes 15-20 minutes.

Use sharp punch and remove sheer head bolt. Disconnect battery, slide lock assembly out rotating out of hole in dash, remove wires. Reinstall with allen or phillips screw to avoid hassel of sheer head bold next time.

 

Are we talking about a 308? With all due respect, I honestly dont understand how this could be done. Both my cars the radio section of the dash contours around forward just an inch or so from the lock, I just dont see how it can clear. The the lock is smack up against the dash and I had to physically push on the dash to gain any clearance and still not enough to accomplish anything. There certainly did not appear to be enough room to rotate the lock and slide it out the 6-8 inches it needs to clear the column. But hey, I been wrong before, maybe I just misssed that funny secret handshake with the left hand twist it needed to get the banana, lol.

 

We used to do them almost weekly in 308 and 328 at the dealer when they were new cars. Since new I have never taken a dash or a column out of either car. I wouldn't know how to do that.

Except for not using a shear head bolt you would never know I was there but then I do BB waterpumps without pulling the motor either and people say that just can't be done. Dealers I grew up in never had anyone telling us it can't be done, we just figured out how.

 

FWIW my key felt like it was binding up and it turned out to be the contact/electrical portion at the back of the switch assembly which has it's own internal detents ... easily replaced with the piece from a BMW 2002 ... I don't remember where I heard it but it was 100% correct ... mighta been here.


cheers.

edit: "2002" is the model not the year for you youngsters

 

BMW part #61-31-2-682-120. Manufactured by SWF Germany. Yes, it is from a 2002 and many other BMW's of that era. Parts Bin .com has them, also All OEM Auto Parts.com is where I have bought mine in the past. $100USD and climbing..BUY TWO as you will need them. Also,as to the shear bolt..it is an anti-theft device..DO NOT SHEAR IT!! or you will have to drill it out..that was some of the best advice I've had..I don't know how much disassembely your model needs.but exploration will tell you this..as was stated earlier, you can do this. Just disconnect the battery neg. and dig in..you'll be saying "MOM!!, I DID IT!!". (To avoid the grief. after installing a new module, I found a great spot on my console and installed a very generic American ignition switch that can be easily operated and removed later, bypassing the module...just need to remember to utilize the column lock to free the steering or you'll be driving very small circles. I hope this is of some help.