[V8] Key won't release from steering lock

[patrick gillen]

I replaced my 90 V8Q failed ignition lock & switch 3 years back and there was not a lock solenoid at the switch. There is a mechanical steering wheel lock function by a sliding-to-the-left cam-actuated link from inside the lock housing. There is an electrical interlock circuit preventing starter activation depending on the shifter position.

Key removal: the lock has internals that release the key depending on the steering wheel lock sliding link being in the wheel lock position. Either your link is bad (somebody torque the wheel to break it and only bent it?) or the lock internals or cam have failed.  When you get it all apart, if the sliding link looks like my picture inside the lock housing and you can manually slide it easily to the wheel lock position the lock guts are the culprit.

Switch: I agree the electrical switch is bad as it has the starter position spring return which is known to fail. You can get the switch out without removing the lock. Look for failure at the lock shaft to the switch as mine was also broken.

Lock removal: hardest part after unearthing everything was getting the lock out. There is a 1/4 circumference black keeper spring on the lock exterior that keys into a circumferential slot in the lock housing; the spring needs to be depressed to get the lock out.  I could not see any way to insert something past the black key trim ring to depress that spring. If anyone knows how to get that trim ring off please share, but it is probably not removable by design or your car could be easily stolen. I think the book wanted you to remove the aluminum frame but I drew the line and drilled a hole in the frame to be able to then drill a hole in the lock housing (which is per the book) and finally depress the spring keeper holding the lock in. Drill carefully though as you can see I nicked my lock but I had to replace it anyway as the shaft was broken.  Rube Goldberg advises against my method as the better way is to bite the bullet and remove the AL frame which allows you to remove the whole lock and switch assembly as toml99 shows in his pics.  Then you can drill the housing more precisely on the bench to get the spring depressed for the tumbler set removal. Audi engineering is still laughing on this one.

I just posted pictures of my lock removal at 
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3IdtItm9HUhNmZVNjVCeXFtWkE&usp=sharing

Pat
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-----Original Message-----
From: V8 [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of toml99 at todomundo.com
Sent: December 04, 2014 9:10 AM
To: v8audi
Subject: Re: [V8] Key won't release from steering lock

I'm guessing that the key removal problem is in the mechanical tumbler part of the lock which leads me to a question for those that have done it.  I recently parted out the complete dash that was taking up space in my spare bedroom for the last few years.  I removed the whole lock assembly by removing the allen screw, but seem to recall you need to drill a hole somewhere to actually remove the tumbler.  I ended up removing the steering column support to get enough room to wiggle this out sideways.  The pic shows the 2 small screws that hold the ignition switch on.  Hope this helps the Toxic Toad....Tom

http://tinyurl.com/k2qstgd

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-----Original Message-----
From: V8 [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Kent McLean
Sent: December 04, 2014 4:43 AM
To: v8 at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [V8] Key won't release from steering lock

M h wrote:
> 1993 V8, 4.2
> I am resurrecting yet another neglected V8, over here in the UK.
> The ignition lock has 2 problems.  The big one being that I can no longer remove the key.  I've jiggled with the shift lever, between park, drive, neutral, etc. A problem with the ignition lock solenoid?
> The other issue is that the key doesn't move from the 'start' position to the 'run' position when starting the engine.  It can be moved manually, though.
>
> Are these two separate issues, or part of the same problem?

The second issue, key not returning to run, is definitely an ignition switch issue. I've heard of cases where the starter continues to grind, burning out the starter and sometimes destroying the flywheel teeth because you don't notice the key hasn't sprung back to the run position.

Replace the ignition switch. You'll probably find a plastic collar where the two parts (electrical half and key half) mate is broken.

As for removing the key, I recall a similar situation on a '94 100 I had. IIRC, jiggling things eventually got it out. I think sideways pressure on the shift lever (left or right) while in park worked the magic.

--
Kent McLean
'02 VW Beetle TDI, and a lot of former Audis including Bad Puppy


-----Original Message-----
From: V8 [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of M h
Sent: December 04, 2014 2:59 AM
To: v8 at audifans.com
Subject: [V8] Key won't release from steering lock

1993 V8, 4.2
I am resurrecting yet another neglected V8, over here in the UK.
The ignition lock has 2 problems.  The big one being that I can no longer remove the key.  I've jiggled with the shift lever, between park, drive, neutral, etc. A problem with the ignition lock solenoid?
The other issue is that the key doesn't move from the 'start' position to the 'run' position when starting the engine.  It can be moved manually, though.

Are these two separate issues, or part of the same problem?

If you are interested, I'm running a thread with pictures on both AudiV8.com and Classic-Audi.co.uk.
This car is named the toxic toad.
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