ignition cylinder

Hitmachine101 · Wed, Sep-08-2010, 01:34:14 PM

hey guys, about 2 weeks ago i went to role up my windows and when they were rolled up i couldnt get the key to turn back to the off position. In fact the key came out like it was in the off position but all my lights and everything stayed on. So i went and pulled the battery terminal and played with it for a while and cant get it to return to the normal position. I ve researched and tried every trick in the book but its just not fixing itself. I cant even remove the tumbler with the bobby pin trick..

oh and when i go to start the car,, she hits a brick wall and i cant get her to turn.

anyways how do i get the unit out of the car? it looks like its one solid unit that attaches to the entire steering column. Im pretty sure all i want is the tumbler but like i said i cant get it out, who has had this problem and how did you fix it?

im not driving the car right now,, shes back at home but ill be going there in a week or so to fix it.. Need help guys

Hitmachine101 · Thu, Sep-09-2010, 03:33:43 AM

really????? no ones had a similar problem,, no ones fixed this issue before with their car??

shaeff · Thu, Sep-09-2010, 04:42:10 PM

Sounds like you need a new IGN cylinder to me. Not sure about the e36, but on my Toyotas, you just stick the key in, turn it to the ON position, and push a small pin in the lock cylinder and it'll pop right out.

I seem to remember something similar for the e36, but keeping tension on some part in the cylinder.

Hitmachine101 · Fri, Sep-10-2010, 02:27:43 PM

ya its stuck in the on position and there is a bobby pin trick to get the tumbler out but i can get it to slide out

I hope all i need is the tumbler,, from all ive read and see with the construction thats all i should need

284Shooter · Sat, Sep-11-2010, 02:31:56 AM

This is common. The cylinder tabs snap off and the inginition sticks. There are two one way bolts that hold the bracket around the steering column. Combined, they make the hole the cylinder slides into. If you can't work the cylinder loose enough to insert the pin and slide it out you're going to have to drill these two one way bolts out and seperate the bracket.

I think the bracket is about $250 and the cylinder is another $110. Be prepared to have to give DNA to get that damn cylinder.......

Wed, Sep-08-2010, 01:34:14 PM	#1
Hitmachine101 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 339 Reputation: 0 Location: Rochester NY	ignition cylinder hey guys, about 2 weeks ago i went to role up my windows and when they were rolled up i couldnt get the key to turn back to the off position. In fact the key came out like it was in the off position but all my lights and everything stayed on. So i went and pulled the battery terminal and played with it for a while and cant get it to return to the normal position. I ve researched and tried every trick in the book but its just not fixing itself. I cant even remove the tumbler with the bobby pin trick.. oh and when i go to start the car,, she hits a brick wall and i cant get her to turn. anyways how do i get the unit out of the car? it looks like its one solid unit that attaches to the entire steering column. Im pretty sure all i want is the tumbler but like i said i cant get it out, who has had this problem and how did you fix it? im not driving the car right now,, shes back at home but ill be going there in a week or so to fix it.. Need help guys

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Thu, Sep-09-2010, 03:33:43 AM	#2
Hitmachine101 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 339 Reputation: 0 Location: Rochester NY	really????? no ones had a similar problem,, no ones fixed this issue before with their car??

Thu, Sep-09-2010, 04:42:10 PM	#3
shaeff Maintenance FTW Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 840 Reputation: 0 Location: Tivoli	Sounds like you need a new IGN cylinder to me. Not sure about the e36, but on my Toyotas, you just stick the key in, turn it to the ON position, and push a small pin in the lock cylinder and it'll pop right out. I seem to remember something similar for the e36, but keeping tension on some part in the cylinder.

Fri, Sep-10-2010, 02:27:43 PM	#4
Hitmachine101 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 339 Reputation: 0 Location: Rochester NY	ya its stuck in the on position and there is a bobby pin trick to get the tumbler out but i can get it to slide out I hope all i need is the tumbler,, from all ive read and see with the construction thats all i should need

Sat, Sep-11-2010, 02:31:56 AM	#5
284Shooter Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 211 Reputation: 0	This is common. The cylinder tabs snap off and the inginition sticks. There are two one way bolts that hold the bracket around the steering column. Combined, they make the hole the cylinder slides into. If you can't work the cylinder loose enough to insert the pin and slide it out you're going to have to drill these two one way bolts out and seperate the bracket. I think the bracket is about $250 and the cylinder is another $110. Be prepared to have to give DNA to get that damn cylinder.......