Vauxhall Combo ignition barrel issues!!!

[Thompa26]

Recently got my hands on a 60 plate Vauxhall Combo as a little utility vehicle. 1.3 diesel model. Ran fine for the first 800 mile and 4 or 5 little jobs before the ignition barrel jammed. Looked into it and its a common issue with these age Vauxhalls, found a number of fixes including how to replace the barrel.


Long story short is I've replaced the barrel with a like for like replacement as per the numerous online walkthroughs, however when inserted at position 2 into the console, the barrel pops straight back out. It can fully insert and drop to position 0 where the barrel stays in place, or even attempt* to start the engine but when going back to position 2 it jumps out and the brass catch inside the console pops back up meaning you have to reset both it and the ignition box at the end of the console the barrel meets.

• ISSUE NUMBER 2 - the engine also now wont start, it turns over but just cant kick in. Going to attempt to bump start it when I get my hands on a towing eye tomorrow, but im worried me swapping the barrel might've caused some electrical/solenoid issue so it wont start, That and even if it did the barrel would jump back out as per part 1 of my problem!

Anyone know of any immediate quick fixes I'm missing? Specifically the barrel not going into place but also it not starting (I have also considered that it might not be starting due to its age, ex tradesmen van with 150k medium to hard miles I assume)

ANY HELP APPRECIATED.

[E-bmw]

OK, so I assume you have fitted a 2nd hand barrel, which you bought with a key, and this is what you are trying to start the car with.

Unfortunately the ECU is still looking for the transponder in your old key.

You either need to remove the chip & swap them or just hold the old key in position while you start the car.

As to why the lock won't stay in, it is either stuffed or you are doing it wrong, have another look at your walk-through.