barral/key problem??

[steak000]

hi we have a vs commodre and the barral got replaced 6 months ago and spoke to the lock smoith who put it in 2day cause its getting allitle stuck. When you turn key onto start moter, doesnt freely click back down so engine doesnt grind. he said something about ignition switch and spring, any ideas and how to fix it?? cheers Daniel

[VSHeaven]

The VS commodore shares the same ignition barrel problem along with the VT-VZ. It is cheaply made. It can lock up in hot weather, break the shaft that goes into the ignition switch and can also do what you described. It should be covered by Holdens parts replacement warranty if it's only 6 months old (assuming you bought a genuine barrel). It shouldn't bind and needs replacing asap.

[steak000]

dunno lock smith told us had notin to do where you put key and was spring issue or something

[accentstencil]

It happened to me also. The spring in the ignition switch broke so I would have to manually turn the key back. Only way to fix it is replace the switch. I think the switch was about $27 but it was a few years ago so I could be wrong.

[steak000]

so is the switch at the back, im pritty uncluey but know how to take off the covers and stuff

[accentstencil]

Yes, it's on the opposite side of the barrel, the shaft on the barrel goes into the switch.

[steak000]

so easy to replace???

[accentstencil]

According to the manual you have to remove the barrel, replace the switch and then re- insert the barrel, so that is the way I did it but I think others have done it without removing the barrel. It is just a matter of aligning the switch correctly. The switch itself is easy to remove.

[steak000]

so does a couple of screws or something hold in barral and alliging switch correctly is this cause its small and awkward or is there a proper way to reconect new one?? cheers

[accentstencil]

The switch is held in by two screw from memory. I think the reason for removing the barrel is because when put the barrel back in the key is in the "on" position, thus sliding into the switch correctly. So theoretically if the key is in the "on" position and you replace the switch, lining it up with the screw holes it should be right. I hope this makes sense.

[steak000]

yeah ill have a crack at it, thanks for all the tips. have a good one cheers

[RX25SE]

I spent ages trying to get mine to lock the steering when the key is removed. I replaced the barrel when it did the usual break the drive tang to the switch.
Thing still plays up every now and then. Poor cheap design.......damn you GM!

FYI the switch can be replaced by removing the lower column shroud and loosening the two small screws that retain the switch.
About 15-20mins should see this done.

[te_rarawa]

i've replaced 4 barrels in my mums vt. 2 2nd hand and 2 new ones. the 1st 2nd hand barrel had the same prob(wasn't springing back after start) got a 2nd one which lasted about a month. decided to buy the aftermarket cheap one. the 1st one i broke the locking knuckle on top. finally got the 2nd unit in after i bit of mucking around.

as for the switch...it has one hexhead screw on the underside, the topside has a pin so u need to place switch in b4 the barrel goes in. hope this helps dude

[accentstencil]

as for the switch...it has one hexhead screw on the underside, the topside has a pin so u need to place switch in b4 the barrel goes in. hope this helps dude

I knew there was a good reason that the barrel had to come out first, I just couldn't remember what it was.

[RX25SE]

i've replaced 4 barrels in my mums vt.

as for the switch...it has one hexhead screw on the underside, the topside has a pin so u need to place switch in b4 the barrel goes in. hope this helps dude

I knew there was a good reason that the barrel had to come out first, I just couldn't remember what it was.

Must be a VT thing, as VS there is no need to remove the barrel to replace the switch.

[accentstencil]

Must be a VT thing, as VS there is no need to remove the barrel to replace the switch.

I don't know why Holden has to change things to make it harder.

[te_rarawa]

Must be a VT thing, as VS there is no need to remove the barrel to replace the switch.

oh ok, i thort they were the same as a vt lol