Can't turn the key in the ignition!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Car been going fine, no problems since I got it a couple of months ago, love it!

Just gone out to go to the stables, and cannot turn the key in the ignition at all.

Steering lock not on, well it wasn't, it is now after a lot of playing about trying to get the key to move.

Anyone come across this problem before?? Is it going to be a whole new unit??

wd40 to clean it up - and get it working - then a graphite lubricant.

WD40 not worked. :-(

Sounds like you'll have to take the switch apart.

Not done this on a Landrover but on some cars you can take the switch apart as long as you can get the key in the barrel.

Typically, there will be a small hole in the barrel that will be an access to a spring/clip. With the key in the barrel, use a suitable small screwdriver/piece of wire and withdraw the barrel. Do check on here though coz I could be talking out the back of my head!!

I do know you can take the back of the switch off. Disconnect battery negative lead, remove the steering shroud, disconnect ignition cable at multi plug and then remove the rubber cover protecting the switch.

Remove the single screw securing the switch to the housing, then pull the switch off.

This will not remove the switch itself but you may then be able spray WD or similar through the back and hopefully allow the key to turn in the lock.

Good luck!

If WD40 and graphite doesn't fix it, get a new ignition switch. This happened on my 97 disco, the switch was worn inside. I got a new one from the main dealer as it was quite urgent (£125) but you can get them much cheaper mail order. I used the haynes manual method to remove the old one (very large screwdriver, 6lb club hammer, you have to bash the 2 nuts on their edges to slowly undo them), all the connections are plug in. I did it in the dark by torch light, took about an hour without rushing.

stormchaser said:

If WD40 and graphite doesn't fix it, get a new ignition switch. This happened on my 97 disco, the switch was worn inside. I got a new one from the main dealer as it was quite urgent (£125) but you can get them much cheaper mail order. I used the haynes manual method to remove the old one (very large screwdriver, 6lb club hammer, you have to bash the 2 nuts on their edges to slowly undo them), all the connections are plug in. I did it in the dark by torch light, took about an hour without rushing.

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I agree with stormchaser that it sounds like a new ignition lock required.

I did this job last week on my wife's tdi 200 and it was very straightforward.

They can be bought from Paddock Spares, about £30, follow the link and get the one appropriate to your vehicle:

- Electrics

I would suggest you buy one with the iginition lock as they are so close in price, but don't use that part this time as that bit still seems to be ok on your car from what you've said.

Take off the plastic shrouds behind the wheel, and "patiently" undo the two locating bolts, with a small spanner. They do not need to be hit with anything or than intelligence.

Once you have the whole unit loose, you will see at the left hand end there are wires going into a switch. You need to detach this switch by undoing a very small philllips head screw (keep that safe!!) and then you can just pull off the switch like pulling out a plug.

Get the new one and replug the switch, put the phillips screw back and test.

You should be able to operate the ignition now in the normal way with your new key - except you're holding it!! - if all is well reinstall and the job is done.

Cheers & good luck

Dave

Sorry, got a bit carried away there, It was the steering lock AND the switch that were worn on my disco hence the hammer and chisel approach, like the TheBigLad said, you don't need to hammer the ignition barrel switch off !!

After copius amounts of even more WD40 it's now working again, but I think I may well get a new one, just to be on the safe side. I was lucky I was at home and not with my 3 kids on board somewhere in the middle of nowhere!

Thanks for all the help.

it may just have needed a good washing out of all the accumulated crud.

I had the same thing, rather annoying. Replaced the whole lock only to find that I had a tiny bit of swarf in mine. Not a difficult job to replace though.

mine does the same thing every now and then. I think its cause my key is slightly bent in the torsion axis. I can use it one way and its works generally. Every now and then i get a heart stopping monent when it wont turn. It could just be dirty though. I might give it a clean this weekend!!

search out RevJames threads on replacing the switch and barrel