Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: V8S on 09 June 2008, 18:16:56
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Got in my Omega this afternoon and couldn't turn the key at all. Tried for about 10 mins and eventually managed to get it started and got it home.
No, it wasn't on the steering lock. And I don't think it has had anything to do with the hot weather as I have been noticing difficulty at times to get the key to turn since I've had the car but never actually not turning at all.
Have tried my other set of keys and it is pretty much the same. I have found a way to get the key to turn 8 times out of 10 but it is far too dodgy to leave like that.
What I need to know is: will taking the panel off below the steering column in order to check the ignition barrel or anything fouling it cause any worries with the air bag system(s)? I.e. am I likely to set it off?
Is there a way of taking the barrel apart to check wear?
Is this a known fault with Omegas?
I had this happen on a 99,000 mile Honda where the barrel had worn and it needed a new ignition barrel and key. Luckily I got one from a Rover version of the same model.
With a facelift Omega and their rarity in scrapyards I feel that is going to be YET ANOTHER big expense on this bloody car. Never had so much trouble with a car and I own a TVR!
HELP!
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This is a fairly common problem, and one best sorted soon as it will only get worse, and you need to be able to turn the key to position one to
- release the steering lock to turn the wheel to remove the black plastic cowling
- remove the barrel
if you leave it until you can't turn the key at all, you are in deep do-do as you won't be able to remove the barrel without major destructive surgery to the steering column.
I understand the barrel does come apart but never figured out how to do this on mine. I bought a new barrel/key from Autovaux (30 quid) and just lived with having 2 keys on the fob.
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I've never taken a Omega steering lock off , but I know from other cars I have done it to they are usually fixed to the column with a shear bolt.
You have to drill a small hole in the end of the shear bolt and then tap it loose anti clockwise with a punch. The bolt is usually easy to turn but can be very awkward because of limited access.
When you have the lock off you usually have a little pin that when pushed in will release your key barrel. Then you either fit a new one or remove the offending leaves in the barrel, but this way means any key will then fit!
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No drilling needed on the Omega, but you DO need to be able to turn the key to the first position. Then you poke a small punch through a hole to release the barrell.
All very straightforward IF you can turn the key to pos 1 ;)
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If you go to your local dealer they will supply you with a new barrel for the lock, and they will get it set for your key number if you ask them to. To remove the barrel you need the lock in pos 1 then you need a small drill bit to put into a small hole in the lock casing and then pull the barrel out of the casing. No drilling needed on the omega and the ign lock failing is quite common, mine and my dads have had new barrels. :y