Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: fudgee on 02 June 2018, 06:55:33

Title: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 02 June 2018, 06:55:33
Hi guys.
The ignition barrel on my 2.2 cd auto seized up completely after a week or so of just being very stiff.
I was tempted to try and repair it but decided to buy a brand new one from vauxhall as it was only £87 all in.

I removed the old one easily enough by pressing a 3 ml Allen key into the release hole but have now broken the replacement barrel.

When I was pushing the barrel into the ignition it just kept pushing itself back out. I couldn't get it to click in.
It would just pop out and the steering lock would pop on in an identical way to when I popped the old barrel out.

After about 6 attempts at pushing the new barrel in i noticed when I looked at it the little spring loaded flap on the barrel had snapped in half and the tiny spring inside was protruding.
So now I have to buy another one from vauxhall but before I do can anybody educate me as to what I was doing wrong?

I had to turn the key in the new barrel one turn to get it to slide in and once it was in it would let me turn it to position 2 so the dash lights would come on but wouldn't turn again to let me start the engine.

As soon as I released pressure it just popped back out and " ping " steering lock clicks back in which I kept having to release by pushing down on the little metal lever inside the ignition  :(
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: BazaJT on 02 June 2018, 07:43:14
Have you had a look at Shackengs guide in the maintenance section to see if there's anything you missed?
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: Nick W on 02 June 2018, 08:27:57
I hope that £87 barrel uses the same key as the rest of the car?


LINK (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Calibra-Cavalier-Omega-Sintra-Vectra-B-Ignition-Barrel-and-Keys-New/171390228635?fits=Model%3AOmega&hash=item27e7a7589b:g:YvsAAOxyOM9R7T60)
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: dave the builder on 02 June 2018, 08:33:12
I hope that £87 barrel uses the same key as the rest of the car?


LINK (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Calibra-Cavalier-Omega-Sintra-Vectra-B-Ignition-Barrel-and-Keys-New/171390228635?fits=Model%3AOmega&hash=item27e7a7589b:g:YvsAAOxyOM9R7T60)

even the 11 quid ones do if you take the tumblers out  ;D

and as Fudgee now has 2 broken ones to play with , he may as well play Chinese puzzle hunt the spring  :y
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: Nick W on 02 June 2018, 10:29:10
I hope that £87 barrel uses the same key as the rest of the car?


LINK (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Calibra-Cavalier-Omega-Sintra-Vectra-B-Ignition-Barrel-and-Keys-New/171390228635?fits=Model%3AOmega&hash=item27e7a7589b:g:YvsAAOxyOM9R7T60)

even the 11 quid ones do if you take the tumblers out  ;D

and as Fudgee now has 2 broken ones to play with , he may as well play Chinese puzzle hunt the spring  :y


The tumblers are the main wear parts; reusing them is crazy
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 02 June 2018, 10:51:46
Nick W yes it takes the same key mate. I have the key code luckily
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: dave the builder on 02 June 2018, 10:57:49
I hope that £87 barrel uses the same key as the rest of the car?


LINK (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Calibra-Cavalier-Omega-Sintra-Vectra-B-Ignition-Barrel-and-Keys-New/171390228635?fits=Model%3AOmega&hash=item27e7a7589b:g:YvsAAOxyOM9R7T60)

even the 11 quid ones do if you take the tumblers out  ;D

and as Fudgee now has 2 broken ones to play with , he may as well play Chinese puzzle hunt the spring  :y


The tumblers are the main wear parts; reusing them is crazy
there will be NO wear on the £87 tumblers , assuming it was made to the lock number (matching keys) , maybe the old spring loaded retainer  flap could be used on the new barrel  :-\
it's been a long time since i had a barrel in bits , it is a faf ,
especially if you have big fat sausage fingers like me  ;D

Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: omegod on 02 June 2018, 11:58:35
I did similar and found that the ignition switch wasn't in the right position to receive the new barrel so having tried to force I cracked the same piec, long thin screwdriver helped reposition it 
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 02 June 2018, 13:01:01
Thanks Omegod.
When the steering lock kept kicking in I pressed it down with a screwdriver to take it back off.
Is adjusting the ignition switch a similar process and I'm assuming it's also deeper down inside then the steering lock lever?
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 02 June 2018, 13:27:50
Key needs to be fitted and inner barrel turned to pos 2 iirc prior to installing the assembly back into the column :y
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: Shackeng on 02 June 2018, 19:38:04
No need to pay that sort of money, just get one from a scrapper and fit new tumblers to match your existing. They are pretty much the only bits that wear, (not counting accidental damage ::)). There is an excellent guide here for replacing the tumblers: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90600.0
I have had replacement tumblers from here: https://www.nwkeys.co.uk/Product/discontinued-keying-kit-to-suit-vauxhall-h-y-laser-series-locks, I never registered, just found their number and rang them.:y
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 04 June 2018, 19:50:31
Just a quick update and its both good and bad news. I managed to fit the replacement barrel i purchased from Vauxhall.
I just removed the ignition casing from the new part which of course has the broken retainer flap on it and put the casing from the old barrel on it which had nothing wrong with it.

Key turns fine and car starts fine but now the ignition barrel is not disengaging properly :(. When i remove the key the radio stays on, cant put the steering lock on, i can still operate the windows and because the ignition is still on i cant remotely lock it so i have to lock the car manually.
And of course i cant pop the boot :(
The ignition is operating like its still on position one but it allows me to remove the key which is a contradiction.

Its obviously something ive done wrong when refitting the new part.
Probably gonna call an auto locksmith out to take a look tbh as its a little over my head now
 :D
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 June 2018, 20:06:01
Guessing you didn't read the guide beforehand  :-\
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: dave the builder on 04 June 2018, 20:36:01
try wd40 in the key hole via a straw
this happens on many vauxhalls
something sticks
or take it apart again and lube it all up
unless you have the electrical switch in the wrong position when inserting the barrel

sounds like your 89% there , why spend $100+ to finish the job getting an auto locksmith  :-\
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 04 June 2018, 20:49:10
Guessing you didn't read the guide beforehand  :-\

I did read it mate in fact i followed it to the letter.
Its a very good guide. You cant really put the barrel in at the wrong angle as it only goes in one way. If its turned slightly to much to the right or left it doesnt even go in halfway.
I have no doubt its me thats at fault as its a brand new part straight out of the packaging.

 :(
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 04 June 2018, 20:55:49

sounds like your 89% there , why spend $100+ to finish the job getting an auto locksmith  :-\


Thats the frustating part mate.

Because its a brand new ignition barrel I have to assume its in perfect working order so the problem has to be the fitment/positioning, although of course I accept that just because something is new thats no guarantee its faultless
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: dave the builder on 04 June 2018, 21:10:30
So just remove it , lube it up (including the socket the barrel goes in and it's pin that locks the column) and refit it ,following the guide again  :y
Simples  ;D
chances are , a lock smith will fit another barrel ,without matching the key and pull your pants down /bend you over  :-X

if your going to be bending over , bend over and have another go at the barrel yourself 

if you manage it , it will be much less painful  ;)
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 June 2018, 21:15:23
Wot e sed :y
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 04 June 2018, 21:30:44
Will defo give it a go and let you know  :y
Title: Re: Ignition barrel replacement
Post by: fudgee on 20 July 2018, 10:55:19
Just realised I forgot to update and say that I managed to get the problem fixed. After a lot of swearing and tinkering  about its now working fine. Thanks for all your help  :y :y