Ignition key problem - very, very odd
 

None of my four keys will go into the ignition. They'll all open the driver's door and the boot but they won't go into the ignition.

This is seriously weird because I put one of them in the ignition on Tuesday and everything was normal (apart from a completely flat battery).

It's almost as if someone has deliberately jammed something in there (e.g. a nail!) but I can't see anything amiss.

The steering wheel turns freely so the ignition lock is off. Door locks all seem to be working normally from the remote but then they would anyway.

I've never seen anything like this before. No1 suspect must be the barrel but I can't see why it would suddenly go on the blink on its own.

Theoretically if the key is out of the lock the steering wheel should be locked or should engage if you turn it. It sounds as though something in the barrel has broken or jammed.

i would tend to agree with rover p480 as soon as i take my keys out of the ignition and turn the steering wheel it locks so i would suggest the same.. something has broken or come loose inside the lock or has one of your keys got any slight bits of metal missing rgds mark

Simon
Try some pencil graphite on the key and see if it will go in also, turn the steering lock as far as you can so it's in the lock position this can sometime also help the key locate properly.

To double check the above shine a torch into the key section let us know what you can see, anything like this below.

The barrel can be removed by using a sturdy paper clip, once you can get the key in to work if you wanted to remove it that is, turn ignition to I then insert clip barrel should come out.

The key as to be inserted though to position I also the clip need to bent on the end by about 10degree an hair clip would be better I think as it is a little thicker and sturdier.

Once inserted you need to turn the clip clockwise a little this then holds down the locking tag which is chaffered so it inserts easy, but the flat side holds in the barrel ;) once it as been inserted into the ignition column.

Try wriggling the wheel when putting the key in.

Have had something similar happen before Dave - the cover had broken away and jammed in the lock so had to remove it along with the little spring used to keep it shut.

Thanks for all the replies chaps.

Before I do anything I'll try and get a macro shot of the lock and post it here.

Notes:

# The steering wheel is not locked - it turns from one stop to the other
# The car is on blocks - all 4 road wheels are off
# None of the 4 key blades are damaged
# Two of the keys are new - they replaced the original two which have duff fobs (the plastic/rubber bits fell out of the casings)
# I've only been using one of the new keys to unlock/lock the doors while I've been doing the rear end refurb
# None of the other 3 keys have been used recently (apart from yesterday)
# The key blade (any of them) goes in about 5mm then stops - it feels like it's up against something pretty solid

I've never seen anything like this before. :eek: The ignition was working perfectly up to now - I started the engine just a few days ago and nobody has touched it since (apart from me when I put the key in to confirm a flat battery).

Strange that the steering lock doesn't come on when you turn the wheel - it should do so that may be your problem.

Try straightening a paper clip out and bend the last 2mm over at a right angle. Push it down into the lock and rake anything jammed back out.

If nothing comes to light I'd squirt some WD40 down there just in case anything has seized up. I know this isn't usually the done thing, but I've done it before with 100% success on a Rover 400. :}












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