Ignition barrel jams solid VT Commodore 1999

[Gazzara_0306]

Hi just posting this in case somebody has a similar problem:
If you have a 1999 Commodore VT sedan and you suddenly find that the ignition barrel jams solid with the key in it then there is a HIGH chance that your steering column needs to be replaced.

Apparently they wear out over time since it is also part of the ignition system in a 1999 VT when the steering column packs up it results in your Ignition barrel Jamming solid.

Look at getting the steering column replaced brand new before attention to the barrel and key as it would save you alot of time and hassles.

In response to Peanuts Inc reply.
I did try replacing the key and assembly actually twice in fact. I never included those details in above info. What happened was after BOTH replacements the ignition appeared to work just fine. About one month later on both occasions the ignition jammed solid again. It was only after a mechanic charged me $500.00 to do the whole job to find a month later the replacement job seized again was the discovery made that the steering column had worn out.

He had to get in a locksmith to replace the entire ignition, barrel, and column at no charge too me. In this particular case it seems that my steering column had worn out and I suppose its a 50/50 chance it could be just the ignition and barrel needs replacing but as I have already learnt you just never know. Also I remember a locksmith i visited before all of this happened told me it could be the steering column but in my case i took the option of just replacing the barrel and ignition as it seemed the logical choice.

The mechanic referenced above where i normally get my car repaired at was even duped into thinking it was a simple replacement job and ended up paying for that mistake and I can tell you he wasn't pleased about that. I suppose the moral about this is that you have to explore all possibilities and take good advice into consideration before coming to a repair decision as it could come back to bite your hand.

[xCalliba]

i had that problem in my VT i just had the ignition barrel replaced. not good at explaining things, but the barrel was cracked and a small piece was broken off inside stopping it from turning. cost me $80 for new barrel, didnt have to change keys or nuthin.

[Boonz]

baha..... who ever told you that your column needs replacing is a fool

the barrels break at the end or seize from lack of lubrication/metal filings...
i would hate to know how much a new steering column is for a vt... and the time it takes to replace it!

new barrel, new key shank = no problems for another 10-15 years....

[bnghardy]

hey guys had to replace my lock, went to the wreckers. The key barrel is part of the hole steer column so I had to buy the hole lot . easy to change but now air bag light stays on stuffen cars sick of them.

[bluffinbil]

definately no need to buy a whole column but new barrel would be one in a million to last 10-15 years. i went through 2 in 18 months due to a dodgy manufacturing fault in the casting of the barrell. best off bypassing the barrel altogether and running switches. thats what i did now never have to worry!

cheers

[bluffinbil]

This happened to me twice in 12 months and as i'm planning to keep the car for another few years and am unwilling to replace again i decided to bypass the barrel altogether. I ran the main power, 'on' and accessories wires to an on/off switch and ran the main power from the on/off switch and the starter wire to a momentary push button switch. This doesnt affect the security of the car as you still need the key in the barrel to start the car, although you can still turn power on without it. I spliced the accessory wire directly into the 'on' wire so i dont have the option of running accessories without running power to the whole car which doesnt worry me, but if you want accessories seperate you can add an extra switch. You will need some extra wire to run power to all switches. I used wire from my accessories because i was splicing it in and didnt need the full length. Also when you have your rooted barrel out if you turn the barrel all the way left or right (cant remember which way) and then insert you key, you wont be able to rotate the key in the barrel. You want to reinstall the barrel like this so that you can line up you contact ring with the knob on your key and you will never have to worry about the key turning or being knocked while your driving and losing contact with the ring. im led to believe if you lose contact, shortly afterwards your car will stop and your computer or something needs to be reset? Dunno how true this is but anyway think ive said enough.

Cheers.

p.s. look at my other post for pics

[xCalliba]

new barrel would be one in a million to last 10-15 years.

guess i had the 1 in a million, original lasted 12 years up until recently