14 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHCan't insert key into ignition
Leading reported evidence
Replace /updating the whole lock mechanism
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Suggestion · Original poster
I see some threads on replacing just the ignition switch and then some others on replacing/updating the whole lock mechanism.
Leading evidence: 'Replace /updating the whole lock mechanism' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace /updating the whole lock mechanism' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
I see some threads on replacing just the ignition switch and then some others on replacing/updating the whole lock mechanism.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
14 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
2 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
No difference in feel or function, it's just the German is probably more durable.
My key(s) will not go into the ignition at all. I see some threads on replacing just the ignition switch and then some others on replacing/updating the whole lock mechanism. Most "ignition switch" problems appear to have the symptom of not being able to get the key OUT of the ignition, my problem is I can't get the key INTO the ignition. Also, I notice that my steering wheel doesn't lock but I can't remember if it ever did (I'm assuming it did).
Can anyone provide advice/guidance on whether or not the easier switch replacement would fix my issue?
Thanks!
Yes. The inexpensive part of the assembly can really foul things up. Mine had all of the symptoms you mention.
I suspect you could force the key if you apply enough muscle to the key and/or steering wheel, but do not advise unless it's urgent to move the car.
About $20 and some uncomfortable time on the garage floor took care of this for me.
Yup. The twisting and turning you'll have to do won't be fun but the part is relatively cheap. Please try and buy the made in germany part as opposed to the made in china part. One lasts longer than the other. I'll let you guess which one. You can normally find them on amazon and have them shipped quick!
Go to NAPA and buy the cheap part - they keep them in stock. Swap it out to fix the problem. The first time you do the swap, figure about 45 minutes. Then order the German part and throw it in the door pocket along with the screwdriver tip you used to do the swap. When the NAPA part breaks, it will only take about 20 minutes to do the swap the 2nd time.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...-905-849-B-M56
4A0-905-849-B-M56 It costs $31
Pelican sells the cheaper version also, but NAPA keeps that part in stock. So, if you want the cheaper version to get yourself back on the road, just go to your local NAPA - no waiting on the UPS man to deliver. The NAPA part isn't horrible, by the way. No difference in feel or function, it's just the German is probably more durable.
Edit: So does Warehouse33, at basically the same prices:
http://www.warehouse33auto.com/parts...98/14/0/4516/0
While you're ordering stuff, a set of jeweler's screwdrivers or precision set of small-tip screwdrivers is going to be essential. The space under the dash is VERY tight.
