Hi folks, I've not been on here for a while. About 15 years ago the ignition barrel, the bit the key goes into,, failed, it started rotating with the key when I turned the key but doing nothing. I replaced it at the time, buying the replacement through a main dealer, it was simple to fit the replacement. Well, it has started happening again! Main dealer says it will be at least April before a replacement can be produced. My local favourite garage throught they had found a used replacement (yes different key but could use the car until new unit comes in April/May). The used unit is also rotating with the key, seller says it was perfect. Question, when this known issue of the key rotating the barrel it fits into and not starting the car happens, is it always the barrel or can it be the cylinder it fits into? Does that make sense?
An update. I have been reliably informed that the problem with the ignition barrel is internal to the barrel so I need a new/replacement barrel. Factory replacement possibly on 4 month backorder! No used ones found online.
Thanks for the update. It would make sense that the barrel itself is the issue, I’d suspect that wear/tear has taken its toll.
I've been told there is a pin inside the barrel that breaks. In which case both of mine have lasted about 13 years each. When the pin breaks it's pot-luck how many stop-starts before it dislodges and you are then stuck.
The barrels seem to be in short supply but it'll be sorted when we get one. It's chosen it's time of year well, tucked up out of the weather now.
Well, back in January I posted about the igntion barrell/tumbler failure on my 1998 E39 523i BMW have had an order for a replacement since December . Originally a replacement was due from BMW in April, they are now posting an expected production date of late-August this year! Haven't been able to find a working used replacement either. I've been looking into temporary workarounds. Has anyone here had to do this and actually done it?
I had this on a 1998 e36. I couldn’t actually switch the engine off and had to stall it and the damn ignition stayed live so I had to disconnect the battery. I am going back over 20 years (probably 24) now but from memory I had to remove the cowling around the steering column, removed the ews ring thing and there (from memory) was a red/terracotta coloured thing with wires coming from it which was the actual switch that the physical ignition barrel engaged that was on the end of the ignition barrel casting and there was a hidden grub screw holding it in. I seem to remember I had to dig out some kind of wax or soft sealer that concealed the grub screw and when I got access to it I could release the screw and remove the thing on the end of the barrel/casting and there was like a noise like a quick bang, I guess like a spring had released and suddenly the ignition switch operated as it should and I simply refitted the read thing back on the end. Hard to describe but when you are in there if it is the same as the e36 it is obvious what it is. I did a write up on a forum accompanied with photos but that forum is dead now but I will try and hunt down the photos and if I find them will post them up here as it will totally explain what I am waffling on about!!! I never did swap out the barrel as this solved it until the car was sold.
Thanks for your question, that is a good one. My first tumbler lasted 15 years and this has lasted 14. I suspect the rest of the car will be past its sellbuy date in another 14, me included! At an estinmated price of £120 one will do me for now, assuming I can get one. Thanks again.
Hi, thanks for the detail, I appreciate your time. At present my tumbler still works with great care and being very careful how far you roatate the key. My local BMW specialist, not a main dealer, has seen the problem before and has ordered the part. He has warned me that if I turn the key too far, sooner or later I shall be in the situation where I either cannot start, or stop the engine, The part number, original and later, for my tumbler is 32320002723 or 32321092780. Because of the fault I cannot pass an MOT so I am now on garage rest.
I have had five E39s, my current 525i is 25 years old. I was not aware that this was a common issue. I shall be careful from now on. It's strange that you have to wait so long for this item to be available.
[QUOTE="Bluebottle, post: 82765, member: 1044"I have had five E39s, my current 525i is 25 years old. I was not aware that this was a common issue. I shall be careful from now on. It's strange that you have to wait so long for this item to be available.[/QUOTE] "Knowledgeable" heresay suggests that this specific tumbler was not used for very long. If you look for replacement tumblers on line there are a lot out there for E39s but they don't look like mine. The suggestion is that because 28 years old E39s with this tumbler are not that common now, BMW wait until they have a workload of tumblers to produce and then make a batch. They are matched to the VIN and key of the individual vehicle. I'm assured that the current delivery estimate is between now and August. We'll see. Several BMW Main Dealers are being touted as BMW support specialists for Classic and Vintage BMWs. They will need to address this issue.
