Defender 90 (1990) TD Ignition Key Snapped

HELP - just taken delivery of my second hand Defender, its the first one I have owned, and its not started well. I have snapped the ignition Key.... I have ordered a new Ignition Barrell and Steering lock, but as a novice (very).. I am not sure how I am going to go about replacing the old barrels. It sounds quite a challenge? Especially without being able to insert the old key. Can anybody offer me any advice - and don't go for the obvious give up being a Defender owner - I am already thinking that myself!! Really want to enjoy the car, but couldn't have got off to a worse start. Please help. (or is it easier for me to just roll it to a garage and get them to do it?)

Thank you - in advance

Welcome to LandyZone

What exactly have you bought ? (link/part number)

Thanks for the welcome and reply - I think I am going to require lots of assistance over the next few months - so i appreciate your knowledge and guidance.

I spoke to the bloke i bought it from (a dealer up north) and he sent me the link for this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220692153869

Hopefully that the right thing.

Yup that's the whole thing.
The one pictured on eBay (your link) is a late Series III/200tdi switch (I presume your defender is a 200tdi ?)
It is clamped onto the steering column with 2 M8, security bolts and an alloy clamp.
Here is a link to one on eBay ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steering-lock-clamp-and-2shear-bolts-for-90-110-130-Defender-1983-to-2016/361937941997?hash=item54452eb5ed:g:zJ4AAOSwp0Zee33e

To get the old one off you need to drill out the two old security bolts.....
If you get the old clamp off without damaging it to much you can use std M8 cap heads to refit the new lock. You maybe lucky and someone has already done this before.

One of the wires that goes to the back of the ingintion switch is fed via a 60Amp fuse in the engine compartment. If you short it out (which is very easy to do) its a pain. I would therefore reccomend that you disconnect the battery prior to dismantling/refitting the new switch.
The easiest way to get at everything is to take the steering wheel off, then the indicator/light stalk surround and then the instrument cluster/binnacle.

Thanks for that detailed reply - it’s very much appreciated. How long would you say a job like this would take? Is it worth trying to do myself as a novice - or would you recommend getting a local garage to do it? That might sound a bit of a cop out - but I was really hoping to not have a job quite like this in my first week of ownership..

Welcome.
Will take a few hours but you will enjoy it.
You need to remove the cowling round the ignition as a minimum. Binicale may need to pop out to get to the cables if no slack.
Remove ignition as above from @miktdish
Take it slowly & take photos. If you get stuck Open a new thread people will help & talk you through

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help and support. Hoping to enjoy the whole process - just thought I might get to use the thing a little before it was in this position!
Thanks again.
Jon

crook110 said:

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help and support. Hoping to enjoy the whole process - just thought I might get to use the thing a little before it was in this position!
Thanks again.
Jon

Click to expand...

Have you pushed the other 1/2 of the key in & turned it? Bet it starts

Looks like this at the moment?? Thinking about trying to glue it together... or even see if someone can cut a new one from it??

Hello and welcome
a key place should be able to cut a new one from what you have left no problem.

As above, get one cut

Thanks, I am going to go and try that today as well - fingers crossed.
Jon

Try the easy fix first, key cut. Swooping out the barrel may lead to other breakages as the plastic tangs round the steering wheel/binnacle etc often snap so get some of this nylon pry tools rather than a screw driver. Swooping out parts is quite straight forward just have confidence in your ability

Thrilled to announce that I have found a very helpful locksmith who has managed to cut me a new key... so I can now start her up and I imagine wait for the next problem. Fingers crossed a slightly more manageable one. Can I just say, as a new member I have heard great things about the folk of Landy Zone and I wanted to say thanks for all the help, and so quickly that was offered. Thanks again - and I look forward to drawing on your expertise in the future.
Jon

Hi and welcome!

Well done for fixing. No doubt it’ll be the first of many fixes, as is the way with Landies!

Thanks, managed my first few runs out in it - wow it’s different.. steering has a lot of play, and need a good foot on the brake to spring it to life.. all good fun tho... will definitely take some getting used to!!

crook110 said:

Thanks, managed my first few runs out in it - wow it’s different.. steering has a lot of play, and need a good foot on the brake to spring it to life.. all good fun tho... will definitely take some getting used to!!

Click to expand...

See, already 2 more things that need fixing, the steering and the brakes

Glad you got it sorted whith out having to order new keys

Welcome to the forum