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[MrDJ]

Been playing up a bit lately, often had to push it in hard to get it to turn.

Lent it my old man the other day and now won't turn at all.

WD40 in the barrel has done nothing.

The key looks a little worn but works ok in doors, boot, etc so is it likely to be the key or as I suspect the barrell?

How much do VX charge for a new key to check?

Cheers

[Kevin Wood]

You need to get it to turn somehow. A little light oil and blast it in to the barrel with a compressor worked for me, followed by gently tapping the end of the key to work the lock loose.

Once it's turned to position 1 follow the maintenance guide to refurb the barrel. If you get it to turn do not turn it back to the off position again.

Kevin

[Boditza]

i used this:
sprayed some brake cleaner inside the ignition with a napkin just under the barrel so it won't damage the plastics. spray until what comes out is clean. then let it dry for 5-10 minutes then with a hair dryer blow hot air inside. after this spray wd 40  and let it settle for a minute or two. try it then. this worked for me and remember you do it at your own risk.

[MrDJ]

so if I cant get it to position I can I force the lock (break it) to get the car running until I can source another key/barrel?

[Abiton]

Try inserting the key slightly less than all the way in (mm or so), and keep trying different positions, but don't use force to try and turn the key, this will make matters worse.  It will turn if you persist.

When you get the barrel out you'll see why I suggested this; it only takes a tiny fraction of lengthways misalignment of the key in the barrel to cause the tumblers to not sit flush.  What happened to ours was that 'the internet' recommended bashing the end of the key, and this really didn't help, it just bent something such that the key could go in too far.  If you've done any significant bashing of your own, the same thing may have happened.

If you try for ages and still can't get it to turn, there is another way...

Right-angled screwdriver to get at the cowling screws behind the wheel, remove cowling.  Hammer/chisel to undo the two fixings on the top that hold the steering lock, then you can drop the whole assembly off. Then you can start it with a screwdriver in the switch. Some possibility of airbag deployment while bashing... AA man said he'd done a few and never got hit though.

[Welung666]

so if I cant get it to position I can I force the lock (break it) to get the car running until I can source another key/barrel?

NO, DON'T DO THAT! From position 1 you can remove the barrel to fix it. Use this HowTo to repair it...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225657771

[MrDJ]

Try inserting the key slightly less than all the way in (mm or so), and keep trying different positions, but don't use force to try and turn the key, this will make matters worse.  It will turn if you persist.

When you get the barrel out you'll see why I suggested this; it only takes a tiny fraction of lengthways misalignment of the key in the barrel to cause the tumblers to not sit flush.  What happened to ours was that 'the internet' recommended bashing the end of the key, and this really didn't help, it just bent something such that the key could go in too far.  If you've done any significant bashing of your own, the same thing may have happened.

If you try for ages and still can't get it to turn, there is another way...

Right-angled screwdriver to get at the cowling screws behind the wheel, remove cowling.  Hammer/chisel to undo the two fixings on the top that hold the steering lock, then you can drop the whole assembly off. Then you can start it with a screwdriver in the switch. Some possibility of airbag deployment while bashing... AA man said he'd done a few and never got hit though.

Might be the next step as tried most things

Vauxhall want..

£35 new key
£25 car pass
£60 barrell

plus fitting and key programming.

Pointed out I should be able to take the chip from the old key which he didn't seem to agree on but what he showed me the chip it just looks like a little bit of black plastic so shoulnt be a problem?

[wightyboy2]

Hi I have the same problem in that cant get the key too turn ( think I need a new barrel with a key as  I dont know the the old key code ) If I carry out the procedure that Abiton has described would that add much cost too the repair along with the barrel and key replaced , Ps I would rather get the key too position one then leave the key in there till I can get the barrel and key replaced any more ideas on what too try to get the key too turn ( tried today for about three hours with no luck , Cheers for any advice 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Try inserting the key slightly less than all the way in (mm or so), and keep trying different positions, but don't use force to try and turn the key, this will make matters worse.  It will turn if you persist.

When you get the barrel out you'll see why I suggested this; it only takes a tiny fraction of lengthways misalignment of the key in the barrel to cause the tumblers to not sit flush.  What happened to ours was that 'the internet' recommended bashing the end of the key, and this really didn't help, it just bent something such that the key could go in too far.  If you've done any significant bashing of your own, the same thing may have happened.

If you try for ages and still can't get it to turn, there is another way...

Right-angled screwdriver to get at the cowling screws behind the wheel, remove cowling.  Hammer/chisel to undo the two fixings on the top that hold the steering lock, then you can drop the whole assembly off. Then you can start it with a screwdriver in the switch. Some possibility of airbag deployment while bashing... AA man said he'd done a few and never got hit though.

Might be the next step as tried most things

Vauxhall want..

£35 new key
£25 car pass
£60 barrell

plus fitting and key programming.

Pointed out I should be able to take the chip from the old key which he didn't seem to agree on but what he showed me the chip it just looks like a little bit of black plastic so shoulnt be a problem?

Before you go throwing your hard-earned money at Vauxhall, just wait, post in the wanted section, and you're sure to get a whole host or replies from very friendly breakers on here who will be able to sort you out with new locks/barrels, keys, whatever you want, FAR cheaper than Vx's prices. Plus you're supporting a British Industry 

[wightyboy2]

Hi cheers for the reply I think I am going to have too try chisselling off those shear pin thingys and probably end up sitting in the rear seats pinned down by the airbag , either that or pay fifty quid to get it towed  :-/

[Kevin Wood]

..and they are ripping you off with the car pass and programming. Just transfer the immobiliser chip from old key to new key.

(unless you need the car pass to match the new barrel with the old key?)

I would persevere with getting it to turn though. It's so much easier if you can just take the barrel out and repair it.

Kevin

[Abiton]

Hi cheers for the reply I think I am going to have too try chisselling off those shear pin thingys and probably end up sitting in the rear seats pinned down by the airbag , either that or pay fifty quid to get it towed  :-/

Just to clarify, you're not trying to chisel anything off, you're just using the chisel to undo the 'headless' bolts, by getting them to unscrew.

And as Kevin says, unless you've really churned up the tumblers and the inside of the barrel, the key will turn once you get the position just right.

Once ours was out I thought "well I might as well keep trying, might save myself a bunch of cash" and sure enough, with the pressure of not being able to start  the car off, I managed to get the key to turn, and refurbed the barrel for freeeeeee! 

Don't forget to remove any burrs on the inside of the barrel (where the tumblers have been 'snagging' when you have attempted to turn the key unsuccessfully).

[robson]

Does trying to turn the steering wheel against the lock whilst turning the key help?

[wightyboy2]

Again thanks again for your replies , and no it doesnt seem to help by holding the wheel against the lock , off too too give it another go at turning it now , cheers 

[wightyboy2]

just got back in , still no luck getting the key too turn , will have another go tomorrow but I dont think it is going to go , when trying the key is there any best technique to try IE light pressure etc , looking at my steering column cover I dont think Ineed the right angle screwdrivers it looks like three screws at the bottom of vertical holes , thanks for any interest in my dilemma