Ignition switch - another coincidence?

Jacked up the car today to fettle jammed brake pad on near side rear then did the same for the offside rear.

Noticed that when all wheels back on that she was down a bit at the back end (air suspension).

To straighten her up, I put the key in the ignition switch (to get the air compressor running) and can't get the key to turn in the barrel. Tried turning the steering wheel to free it off but to no avail.

Is this just another coincidence that I seem to be cursed with or has something caused the ignition lock to "lock me out"? Is it simply a mechanical problem or yet another electronic teaser? Car will lock/unlock and all usual electrics work fine - just can't get the ignition switch to turn.

Currently "immobilised" in the drive and going nowhere. Any help gratefully received.

waterboatman said:

Jacked up the car today to fettle jammed brake pad on near side rear then did the same for the offside rear.

Noticed that when all wheels back on that she was down a bit at the back end (air suspension).

To straighten her up, I put the key in the ignition switch (to get the air compressor running) and can't get the key to turn in the barrel. Tried turning the steering wheel to free it off but to no avail.

Is this just another coincidence that I seem to be cursed with or has something caused the ignition lock to "lock me out"? Is it simply a mechanical problem or yet another electronic teaser? Car will lock/unlock and all usual electrics work fine - just can't get the ignition switch to turn.

Currently "immobilised" in the drive and going nowhere. Any help gratefully received.

Click to expand...

Its a common problem with the D2 ignition barrel.
The wafers become worn " trapping " the key.
You just have to keep wiggling and he patient untillnit comes out.

Thanks for the advice but the key isn't stuck in the barrel. It is totally free - it's just I can't get the key to turn in the barrel.

take key out walk away (even run pencil up and down key blade) after you have calmed down try again worked on mine.Touch wood the carbon in the pencil has done the job so far.

My D1 300 Tdi sometimes does similar. I've found that if I remove the key, make sure the steering lock is set, then replace the key and move the steering wheel under tension of the lock whilst turning the ignition key at the same time almost always frees it ..

Thanks guys.

Tried Graphite/WD 40 - the lot! Odd - that although I have had problems in the past it is the coincidence of jacking the car up and doing the brakes that is puzzling me.

Just looked at RAVE and see the ignition barrel has a "Key in" sensor. Don't think the fuse has blown but will check in the morning.

waterboatman said:

Thanks guys.

Tried Graphite/WD 40 - the lot! Odd - that although I have had problems in the past it is the coincidence of jacking the car up and doing the brakes that is puzzling me.

Just looked at RAVE and see the ignition barrel has a "Key in" sensor. Don't think the fuse has blown but will check in the morning.

Click to expand...

don't use wd40 leave a film that crap sticks to and causes more probs.Use a graphite based spray. Mine used to do it when jumped in car in rush learn't my lesson don't suprise her any more.(wife taught me that one)

Basically, the waffers inside the barrel are so worn that when you push the key in, it no longer pulls the wafers in enough to allow the barrel to turn.

Many people have simply taken out the worn wafers. This doesnt reduce security as the car has a good imobilizer on it.

You can get a replacement lock set for around £100.00

Have tried all options bar removing the lock. Even disconnected BCU and nothing.

I see on another forum comments about how to remove the steering lock but wonder if anyone has any detail of how to go about it on this forum?

I find pictures speak a thousand words and am rather reluctant to approach the job of cannibalising the lock with a lump hammer etc without knowing which bits to hit!!!

Can anyone give me guidance on how to go about it please?

I had to do it on my classic. I don't know how similar the set up is on your Disco.

First I removed all the plastic cowling and disconnected the switches on the cowling. this gives you a view of the ignition assembly attached to the steering tube. It is held in place with bolts that are torqued into to place and the head of the bolt is deformed in the process. You can't get a spanner on those two. You need to tap a chisel into them and create a groove that you can then put a standard screwdriver into and get them out by tapping the screwdriver to turn them continue. After you get the assembly off of the column and out off the steering lock, you can get to the two little screws that hold the barrel to the assembly. once you get it out you can check the little brass followers that are your problem. A clean up is all mine took.

Be careful with the electronic portion of the switch that is turned by the barrel. It has a metal circular cap under which lies the contacts. If that cap is removed it can be difficult to hold it in place again and your car won't start because of the lack of contact.

I'd try more graphite first and don't use any more WD-40. Somewhere I remember some photos I found on the web that when I did mine. I'll see if I can find them again for you.

Maybe this will help: ignition lock fix - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum

i would take the lock and key to a good locksmith i had the same problem and the RAC man removed them so i could get home then waited 9 months for a new one from landrover the locksmith fixed it in halfhour and charged £15 a bargain i thought

Thanks for the advice and the very useful pictures. I bit the bullet and went in with all guns blazing. Nothing to lose as I wasn't going anywhere Can't say I saw any spring fly out when I disembowelled mine? I presume this is a different lock?

All looked as though it was in working order so I washed it all in meths and got lots of metal filings out so have put it all back together and will try it out in the morning. If it fails - Island 4x4 will be getting an order.

Thanks again - pictures really useful.

If the car was still jacked up on the front, then put it down first before turning the key. For sum reason this happened to me when parked on very uneven ground. Everything was super tight, so I just let the handbrake off & rolled back on to flatter ground. Hay presto, it freed up whilst jiggling the steering wheel & turning the key.

Thanks Landybandy. The car was on all fours when I tried the key in the lock - I tried everything.
Re-fitted the lock today and still no joy so ordered a new one which should arrive tomorrow. Can anyone shed any light on what the micro switch does in the barrel? I am still puzzled by the "key interlock" in Rave and wonder if there could be some other problem rather than mechanical?

Japanese spec discos plus other vehicles have the key-in interlock, but the micro switch is standard kit to give you the key-in door open indication.

Belated thanks for all the help.

Fitted new "economy" steering lock and apart from having 2 keys now instead of one...all is well.

Out of interest, apart from there being no makers name on the barrel it looks pretty well identical to the original!

Thanks again.

Thanks for the heads up. Glad you got it sorted!