Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: alistair on 30 January 2008, 16:32:09

Title: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: alistair on 30 January 2008, 16:32:09
Hi

Desparately in need of some help please!! I have a 95 TD and i am unable to turn the key in the ignition barrel and the steering lock wont disengage!

Any ideas?


Many thanks

Alistair
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Dazzler on 30 January 2008, 16:34:18
Have you rocked the steering wheel whilst trying to turn the key?
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Muskie on 30 January 2008, 17:32:18
I had the same problem a few weeks back . The brother in law came round and wiggled it to free it. basically he put the key in and while trying to turn put pressure on the key both towards him and away from him . I was in the same position but this worked for me. Been fine ever since . Mines a 97 tourer.
Regards
Ian
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: alistair on 30 January 2008, 17:45:38
Yep, been rocking the wheel whilst turning the key back and forth, just wont disengage!!
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Pitchfork on 30 January 2008, 18:05:58
Is it worth squirting WD40 down the lock I wonder?? :-/
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: alistair on 30 January 2008, 18:27:40
Quote
Is it worth squirting WD40 down the lock I wonder?? :-/


Do you think it would do any harm?
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Pitchfork on 30 January 2008, 18:58:03
Quote
Quote
Is it worth squirting WD40 down the lock I wonder?? :-/


Do you think it would do any harm?
Not sure but there are bound to be pearls of wisdom from the Forum's experts before very long
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: TheBoy on 30 January 2008, 19:00:34
The tumblers get little burrs.  I'd suggest removing barrel, and just lightly sanding off the burrs...
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Dazzler on 30 January 2008, 19:01:05
A squirt of potion will do no harm. It sounds like your balls have stuck ;D
Give at squirt and run the key in and out a few times and try again.
Do you have a spare key to try by chance??
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: alistair on 30 January 2008, 19:03:37
Quote
A squirt of potion will do no harm. It sounds like your balls have stuck ;D
Give at squirt and run the key in and out a few times and try again.
Do you have a spare key to try by chance??


I've tried the spare key, just off outside now to give it a WD40!!
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: DJ Pete on 30 January 2008, 20:46:36
My 95 did this, and was a pain to disengage for around 3-4 days, then the problem just went away!
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: alistair on 30 January 2008, 20:47:27
No joy with the WD i'm afraid, got the cowling off but i cant see how to remove the barrel? are the burrs on the tumblers within the barrel? do i need to dismantle the barrel? (once i worked out how to get it off that is [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif])

Thanks for your help!!

Alistair
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Dazzler on 30 January 2008, 20:51:56
Quote
No joy with the WD i'm afraid, got the cowling off but i cant see how to remove the barrel? are the burrs on the tumblers within the barrel? do i need to dismantle the barrel? (once i worked out how to get it off that is [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif])

Thanks for your help!!

Alistair
Yes they are, and yes you do i,m afraid
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Jukeboxnut on 30 January 2008, 23:08:37
Had this problem with my wife's Vectra last summer.  After removing the plastic shrouds and immobiliser ring I tried gently tapping the lock barrel with a toffee hammer while trying to turn the key.  There was a sudden click and the lock freed off.

I squirted a little 3 in 1 oil in the lock and it has been fine since.  I am not a fan of WD40 as a lubricant because it can eventually dry out and gum things up causing problems later on.
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: Entwood on 30 January 2008, 23:16:41
Be VERY careful with WD40 .. the "carrier" fluid is a powerful solvent and has a propensity for dissolving or softening many plastics. :(

The way it works is the solvent evaporates leaving the residue behind .. this is NOT a true lubricant and also slowly "dries out" leaving a sticky gum-like residue.

Spray some WD40 on some old plastic bits as a test before using

PlusGas as a freeing agent and 3-in-1 as a lubricant are far better IMHO
Title: Re: Steering Lock wont disengage/key will not turn
Post by: -Alex- on 31 January 2008, 10:51:03
Same thing happened to me on Tuesday - well, whilst it was on a ramp at ProSpeed - had to call an emergency locksmith complete with laser cutter in the back of his van to get it going. The old key has lost some of its thickness about 2/3 of the way "up" (closer to the end of the key than the plastic bit).

The Owner paid for half of the cost to get the fella out which I thought was extremely good of him being as it is not related at all to the S/S exhaust he had made up! Just as well it got going in the end too, they had 10 cars to fit in the garage and with a stranded Omega on the middle ramp could only get about 6 in.

I was very doubtful it was the key in honesty, I thought the fella was trying to diddle me/us a bit, but fair enough, the new key works a charm. And the exhaust sounds great too :)

Good luck with yours