Key stuck in ignition...

DMike · Post by **DMike** » Thu Aug 04, 2022 9:19 pm

Hi supadupa,
Underneath the black ring surrounding the key hole there is indeed a hole, which is used to remove the complete lock barrel - needs two bmw special tools (one is like a pin) and you probably don’t want to go that way anyhow.

TIS says there is a mechanical connection, a bowden cable, ”interlock” from the shifter to the ingnition lock.
”
The ignition lock is mechanically connected to the selector lever via a Bowden cable. The withdrawal lock only permits the ignition key to be removed in selector-lever position ”P”.
Vice versa, the selector lever can only be moved from selector-lever position ”P” when the ignition key is inserted and turned to at least ignition ON.
”
Your specific symptom is not described in TIS, but bowden cables occasionally fail or just need a drop of oil and some adjustment. I have the relevant TIS pdfs for you, one explaining the system and two with instructions to adjust or replace the cable. Can’t post them here but could send them if you pm your email?

supadupa64 · Post by **supadupa64** » Mon Aug 15, 2022 5:57 pm

I disconnected a cable, but it didn't work. I looked at the manuals, but honestly couldn't make much sense of it. I also did not see a hole anywhere around the ignition.

supadupa64 · Post by **supadupa64** » Sat Aug 20, 2022 12:58 am

Got it out.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sat Aug 20, 2022 7:55 am

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Aug 20, 2022 10:05 am

supadupa64 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 12:58 am Got it out.

Excellent. Please tell us how.
As you can see from the lack of clear advice given, this is not a common issue encountered on this forum, so any feedback you can give would be gratefully received.

supadupa64 · Post by **supadupa64** » Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:35 pm

pvr wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 7:55 amHow?

The truth is I took it to the mechanic. The guy walks up, gets in and pulls the key out...

Previously I had sprayed some WD40 inside they keyhole area. He did get it stuck in there again for a second. But it just took some time to loosen up.

I think there is still something going on though. Today it got stuck for a second, but then managed to get it out. I do think that shooting some lube inside helped and maybe thats what helped it come loose.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:29 am

supadupa64 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:35 pm
pvr wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 7:55 amHow?
The truth is I took it to the mechanic. The guy walks up, gets in and pulls the key out...

Previously I had sprayed some WD40 inside they keyhole area. He did get it stuck in there again for a second. But it just took some time to loosen up.

I think there is still something going on though. Today it got stuck for a second, but then managed to get it out. I do think that shooting some lube inside helped and maybe thats what helped it come loose.

Ha! Always the way.
Do you have a second key? If so, worth checking in case it's simply a tiny burr on one key that is catching.

supadupa64 · Post by **supadupa64** » Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:13 pm

I've been using the same key. I guess I could use the other key for a while and see. Key that was stuck seems to be doing alright atm. I'll compare them.

SonnyA85 · Post by **SonnyA85** » Mon Aug 22, 2022 9:56 am

supadupa64 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:35 pm
pvr wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 7:55 amHow?
The truth is I took it to the mechanic. The guy walks up, gets in and pulls the key out...

Previously I had sprayed some WD40 inside they keyhole area. He did get it stuck in there again for a second. But it just took some time to loosen up.

I think there is still something going on though. Today it got stuck for a second, but then managed to get it out. I do think that shooting some lube inside helped and maybe thats what helped it come loose.

Mine was because the shift lock was seized. I couldn't move the shifter. This sounds like the locking mechanism itself may have seized. My suggestion would be to now put the key in and turn it on and then off without actually turning the engine on about 200 times. That should help unseize it hopefully. My shift lock seized because it had been parked up for 2 years. Like you mechanic had it open and key out straight away then he had to take apart the shifting mechanism, strip down, clean and lubricate.

Also when it's in position 1 and engine off you can move the shifter up and down into each slot and keep repeating that to help prevent the shifter from seizing.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Mon Aug 22, 2022 10:00 am

SonnyA85 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 22, 2022 9:56 am My suggestion would be to now put the key in and turn it on and then off without actually turning the engine on about 200 times.

At the end of which you'll have a perfect key operation and will only have to sort out all the fried electrics.

Not sure I'd be cycling my ignition 200 times.

Scubaregs · Post by **Scubaregs** » Mon Aug 22, 2022 10:39 am

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Mon Aug 22, 2022 10:00 am
SonnyA85 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 22, 2022 9:56 am My suggestion would be to now put the key in and turn it on and then off without actually turning the engine on about 200 times.
At the end of which you'll have a perfect key operation and will only have to sort out all the fried electrics.
Not sure I'd be cycling my ignition 200 times.

You would go against the Guru’s expert advice?

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