Re: e36 key cylinder won't turn

[alex.fadeev@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Drew Mouton <drew@domain.elided> wrote:
> Can anybody confirm for me that in a '98 3-series the ignition key
> will turn backwards indefinitely?

Drew,
I've just checked with my wife ('98 328i) and her recently replaced
ignition lock does NOT turn counter clock wise at all. Clock wise it turn
on the ignition and starts the car.
When her ignition lock was failing, the key would turn in the ignition lock
counter clock wise withOUT turning on the ignition. She would have to try
inserting the key in two or more times to get it to 'catch'. She never
tired turning it counter clock wise (aka backwards) as it served no useful
diagnostic purpose at that time.
As far as I can tell, she killed her original ignition lock by man handling
the steering wheel lock. Unless you finesse turning the ignition key as you
gently move the steering wheel, you are risking breaking the ignition
lock's anti-theft tabs that are designed to let go in case someone is
trying to turn on the ignition with a screw driver. Those tabs are
notoriously fragile and plenty of E36 ignition locks, including ours, have
been replaced under warranty for that reason.

> What I'm working from is that the key I have will open the door lock,

Good.

> will fit into the ignition cylinder,

Any key will fit, only the right one will turn.

> will turn backwards, but will not turn forwards.

Weird.

> I'm thinking the ignition lock may have been broken. On Alex' comments
> it seem possible it might be the wrong key - but then why would it turn
> backwards but not forwards?

Have you tried running these possibilities by your local dealer?
If the ignition lock is broken, you would have to order a replacement key
though the dealer anyway. You might as well have them diagnose the problem
while you are at it.

alex f

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