Ignition key turning round in ignition lock

[TTKT]

Hi. Maybe a rare problem ? When trying to start the (2 yr old) van, the ignition key turns past the usual spring-loaded stop (where it usually starts the engine) and just keeps turning round in the lock without "catching" anything, multiple times. Feels rough but not hard to turn. Not affected by steering lock. Key could be removed. After a few tries in and out it worked as normal. This has happened 2 times now, 2 weeks apart. Is this a sign of impending total failure, or a "design feature"?? Thanks for any suggestions, TTKT.

 

[Loz]

Possibly the switch mechanism on the end of the lock is failing or become detached?
Why not remove the trim and take a look at it.

 

[Dellmassive]

try a squirt of WD40 maybe?

 

[TTKT]

Possibly the switch mechanism on the end of the lock is failing or become detached?
Why not remove the trim and take a look at it.

Thanks. I have had a look - I cannot seem to get the bottom trim completely off without taking off / dismantling the wheel and I want no explosions, so I stuck dental mirror and probes in there after my fat fingers and there's nothing loose or wobbly in the area. And of course today I cannot force the key problem to appear no matter how much I fiddle with it!

 

[TTKT]

try a squirt of WD40 maybe?

Thanks for that. In a clean place, maybe WD40 - but I don't feel keen to put any liquid in a lock in our dusty climate, so will try graphite if it recurs I guess. Fingers crossed.

 

[Pauly]

I have used graphite powder in the past to lubricate a sticky lock barrel and it works very well (just tricky to get in there)

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[Andysmee]

Hi. Maybe a rare problem ? When trying to start the (2 yr old) van, the ignition key turns past the usual spring-loaded stop (where it usually starts the engine) and just keeps turning round in the lock without "catching" anything, multiple times. Feels rough but not hard to turn. Not affected by steering lock. Key could be removed. After a few tries in and out it worked as normal. This has happened 2 times now, 2 weeks apart. Is this a sign of impending total failure, or a "design feature"?? Thanks for any suggestions, TTKT.

I have this same problem today, I was able to push a little harder and the barrel engaged the mechanism. What is likely to be the problem?

 

[TTKT]

Still no idea! It happened to me again 2 times in last week. Each time, when I found a position where I could remove the key, it would work OK again once key was re-inserted. NOT related to steering lock or wheel/column position.
This still smacks of an extremely dangerous fault especially here in outback Australia! Regards, Tim.

 

[Andysmee]

Same experience here. It started working and I've forgotten about it since

 

[meza]

I have exactly this problem on my T5.1 - intermittent key spinning round in the ignition barrel. It only happens to my wife, and when I’m not in the van!

Did you guys manage to fix yours?

 

[meza]

Sorry that should have been an animated gif of the key spinning. Looks like the forum upload hobbled the animation.

 

[Andysmee]

Sorry that should have been an animated gif of the key spinning. Looks like the forum upload hobbled the animation.

No I forgotten this happened. it just sort of happens and then stopped happening

 

[grizzlyolddubber]

New to the forum (found this thread and helped me out) Weeks into 5.1 ownership and sadly this has occurred. Got her started but can someone tell me what proactive maintenance can be done to remedy this - is this the entire barrel or switch?

The central locking stopped working but as above if the ignition is not in the 'off' locations makes sense - great post albeit still need to resolve

Did anyone specifically swap out parts - barrel ? If I do - do I need to re-code a new key? (new to the forum and T5.1's so a little lost for now)

Thanks1

 

[manfrotto]

I read on another recent thread on this forum that there are two parts as part of the ignition switch, so you will need to determine which part has failed.