Replacing the ignition barrel?

bubba966 · 23rd December 2007, 18:50

So I searched for info on doing it. But only found that some people on here have done it but made no mention on how it's done.

Is this something that's pretty straightforward? I pulled the dash & column shroud off when the tumber broke on me to try to get it going. But as it was nighttime I couldn't see much and couldn't tell how it was going to come out.

I've got a new one on order, but BMW has decided that now is a good time to take their key equipment offline and clean/re-furb it all. So I won't get the new part for another 2-3 weeks.

Anyway to bypass the ignition barrel until then? If so, would that way get around the EWS II system on the car?

GoneAgain · 23rd December 2007, 19:56

Hi bubba,

You can remove the lock barrel without removing any covers.

If you look closely, between the metal part and outer plastic ring there is a hole. Only about a millimetre or two.

Insert an appropriate tool ( i used a hair pin type thing), a sturdy paperclip will do. It unlatches a locking tab & it just slides out. Might need a bit of jiggling, but it works.

Did you order the barrel as per your VIN? because it should use your original key if the locks haven't already been changed at some point.

Pretty sure it's in the regular E34 manual (Haynes or Bentley), but seem to have lost my softcopy!

Definitely works. My car was broken into & had the barrel trashed in Prague a couple of years ago. I had to leave the country the next day so had to leave it with a regular garage. They just ordered any barrel & I was left with a different ignition to my other locks, very annoying!
I changed it as soon as I found this procedure.

bubba966 · 23rd December 2007, 20:19

Yes, I ordered the new one to be keyed to my current keys with my VIN code.

Do you have EWS II on your car? EWS II cars have a large plastic ring around the barrel that's an antenna for the transmitter in the key. Not sure if that makes this any more difficult or not.

Anyway, sounds like it's not much of a pain to fix. Sounds like the only pain will be waiting for them to machine me a new barrel...

GoneAgain · 23rd December 2007, 20:23

No I don't haw EWS II, may make a difference! But the mk I eyeball should be able to tell if it'll work!

bubba966 · 23rd December 2007, 20:31

Thanks. Looked like I could take the EWS II antenna off in some manner as it had an electrical connection on the side of it.

Will have to now go out and play with it in the daylight and see how it all comes apart.

bubba966 · 25th December 2007, 02:09

Just tried getting it out. Turned the key over until I got to the point that I could insert the paper clip. Stuck it in as far as it'd go. Tried to then pull the barrel out, but it wouldn't come out.

Anyone have an idea how to pull the EWS II antenna off?

Not sure if that's what giving me grief, but it would be nice to pull it off to rule it out...

bubba966 · 30th December 2007, 17:47

Asked at the dealer how to pull it out. But they said I had the procedure corrcect, I just need to finesse it. Said it's kinda touchy and that I just need to keep fidling with it until I get the key & paper clip in the right places so that it comes out.

They pulled a barrel out from their parts bin to give me an idea of what it looks like. Made me think I should try using something smaller in diameter than the paperclip I was using.

They also said there's a proper tool for doing this. Anyone know where to find one? Might just pick one up to make things easier...

GoneAgain · 30th December 2007, 18:17

I used one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-x-kirby-Gr...QQcmdZViewItem

It took quite a while to finesse it out!

Keep trying mate.

bubba966 · 31st December 2007, 00:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoneAgain

I used one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-x-kirby-Gr...QQcmdZViewItem

It took quite a while to finesse it out!

Keep trying mate.

I tried one of those as well when I tried the paper clip and didn't seem to get any farther along. So I ordered one of these.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...ERCED_pg47.htm

It's meant for removing Benz ignition locks, but looks like it'll work for E34's as well.

m5bod · 9th June 2011, 10:38

Hi everyone,

I have a broken ignition barrel and a new one on order, but that will take two weeks to arrive and I am supposed to be going on a camping trip with the car in a week!

I have tried to remove the ignition barrel using the paper clip trick and thin nails etc., but my problem is that the barrel will only turn just enough to take the steering lock off, but no further. According to the Bentley book, it is necessary to turn the barrel to position two which is the accessories on position.

Does anyone know if it really is necessary to turn the key that far. I think it probably is, as I can only get the clip in about 3mm whereas looking online, it seems that the special tool goes in at least 10mm which suggests I haven't got the holes lined up, i.e. the little hole on the bezel and the one in the lock which leads to the retracting lug.

Assuming I am stuffed using the paperclip method, is there another way to remove the barrel? Maybe drilling it out? If so, what exactly would that entail?

I have drilled one hole

which has given me some depth (beyond where I have drilled) but as the key won't turn (still) I wonder if retracting the lug would allow me to withdraw the barrel anyway? It may have to be in position two.

Any help will be gratefully appreciated.

Regards,

Mel.

P.S. I hope I am OK to post here, but I do wonder if it should have been a new query?