Key broken off in ignition switch

Disco 11 TD5
P/N QRF101050H
OK, my wife broke the key off in the ignition switch.
The car was immovable, steering lock on, immobiliser activated.
About 1cm of the key is stuck in the lock.
I've got the lock off the car & am managing to start it with the broken key taped to the reciever & a screwdriver.
Has anyone got a suggestion on how to get the broken bit out?
I've tried the local locksmiths & their company policy is to not touch ignition barrels.
There's got to be a way, but I havn't figured it out yet.
The cost for a replacement lock is either £500 -new or about £200 s/hand
Any suggestions appreciated

Airhook

Have you tried levering it out with a couple of fine needles from the wifes sewing kit?

if you can get a pair of tweezers on it..otherwise u may have to try some soldering on the remaining bit of key..get it into the lock REAL quick and see if it will give you enough grip to pull out..

Try banging it on a block of wood with the key slot point down it may dislodge it. The only other way would be to use a very fine drill (same as the thickness of the key) and drill it in the centre with the intention of collapsing the remains in the lock and thus allowing them to fall out.

To add to the suggestion list. Find an automotive locksmith.

on most vehicles you can take out the barrel if you turn the ignition to stage one and then insert a paperclip or similar into a small hole and lever out the barrel. if this method does not work for your lock i am pretty certain that you could disassemble the lock so the barrel comes out allowing you to remove the broken key.you then take your barrel to a locksmith with your logbook as proof of ownership and have a new key blade fitted to your chip so there would be no need to recode your key.

colinl said:

on most vehicles you can take out the barrel if you turn the ignition to stage one and then insert a paperclip or similar into a small hole and lever out the barrel. if this method does not work for your lock i am pretty certain that you could disassemble the lock so the barrel comes out allowing you to remove the broken key.you then take your barrel to a locksmith with your logbook as proof of ownership and have a new key blade fitted to your chip so there would be no need to recode your key.

Click to expand...

Disco barrels and ignition locks are all in one unfortunately.

Centrifugal Force?

Update
I've taken discool's advice & Googled for an Automotive Locksmith.
Found one in Stirling, 85 miles away. Spoke to him & he said no problem, so I'm posting the whole steering lock. Cost is £45.00 + VAT + postage - a darn sight cheaper than the other option of replacing all the locks @ £500.00+