Key stuck in ignition
Discussion
Hi everyone I have a bmw 328i e46 automatic. When I turn the ignition off and take the key out I can't actually take it out, I mean I physically can't get it out. The car is in park before anybody asks. I had a mate who's a mechanic have a look at it yesterday, after twenty minutes of twisting and turning the key we finally got it out. He then got an air line and blew a load of air into the ignition hole. The key came out nice and easy after this and did for the rest of the day. However this morning I'm back to the same problem again of the key being stuck in the ignition. My friend said it's something wrong with the ignition barrel. Is so then does anyone have an idea of what it would be? And how much it would cost to get sorted?
IF you push the gear lever forward a bit harder when its already in P does that enable the key to come out?
IF above then check there is nothing fallen down in there/by ashtray/gear stick to limit the lever going into park (even a 1p coin stuck in there can cause this).
Have you tried the spare key, if so do both keys look straight not bent, if both keys good then not the key, probably not the lock.
There is a switch in the gear lever to tell the car when its in park, that may need replaced or just checked/cleaned.
If you have to buy any parts for your E46 recommend Nick at Kent BMW E46 spares they do mail order, they have a shop on ebay and over the years I have bought many items from them with no problem (and good prices, they have everything from engines/gearbox/panels to small bits of trim).
tel 07828 322 483 07828322483
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/bmwe46partskent
IF above then check there is nothing fallen down in there/by ashtray/gear stick to limit the lever going into park (even a 1p coin stuck in there can cause this).
Have you tried the spare key, if so do both keys look straight not bent, if both keys good then not the key, probably not the lock.
There is a switch in the gear lever to tell the car when its in park, that may need replaced or just checked/cleaned.
If you have to buy any parts for your E46 recommend Nick at Kent BMW E46 spares they do mail order, they have a shop on ebay and over the years I have bought many items from them with no problem (and good prices, they have everything from engines/gearbox/panels to small bits of trim).
tel 07828 322 483 07828322483
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/bmwe46partskent
You will need to order new ignition barrel from a dealer; this is a common issue with all E cars. More info on how to replace it is here:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-...
It takes 10 sec to take it out - once you get the hang of it - which is much easier if you have the other (new) barrel handy, as you can see exactly how much you need to turn the key in the barrel in order to free it from the lock assembly.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-...
It takes 10 sec to take it out - once you get the hang of it - which is much easier if you have the other (new) barrel handy, as you can see exactly how much you need to turn the key in the barrel in order to free it from the lock assembly.
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