VT/VX/WH steering lock. How to fix???

[scvs6]

Hey guys,

When I bought my WH Statesman, the steering lock wasn't working and I would like to try and fix it. Can anyone give me advice on this please? I'm guessing that WH is the same as VT/VX/VY/VZ commodores for the steering lock.

Thanks in advance.

[nitrowarrior]

Easiest way is to replace the column..........You will also need to grab the drivers door and boot locks, to match replacement steering column.......because you will be changing the key blade...........
Steering column, Ignition, and steering lock, are a complete unit....not easily fixable.......You can remove steeriing coulm in car..remove wheel, indicator stalks, clockspring....Then undo the 2 bolts under the dash near the tilt control......then just pull backwards...steering column removes easily.....throw away...replace from donor car..............bolt back togather...simple......

[BlackVXGTS]

As nitrowarrior says, the steering lock is an integral part of the steering column assembly, the steering lock is not a separately serviceable component. If found to be faulty, the entire steering column assembly must be replaced. Probably why the person you bought if from never got it fixed.

[scvs6]

Ok thanks guys. In that case ill just try and get a steering column and door lock (boot on my WH doesn't have a lock, has to be opened from behind middle rear seat). Thanks for your help.

[accentstencil]

.... (boot on my WH doesn't have a lock, has to be opened from behind middle rear seat). Thanks for your help.

Doesn't the remote or the button in the glove box work?

[scvs6]

Doesn't the remote or the button in the glove box work?

Yeah it does but i'm just saying that it doesn't have a lock to put the key in, so I wont have to worry about changing the boot lock.

[scvs6]

So your saying that its all one piece. Then how do people change the ignition barrel? If I can remove that then shouldn't I be able to free up the lock?

[accentstencil]

So your saying that its all one piece. Then how do people change the ignition barrel? If I can remove that then shouldn't I be able to free up the lock?

I think so. The barrel does play a part in activating the steering lock. Sometimes when I remove my key the centre of the barrel doesn't pop out and when that happens my steering lock doesn't activate, then I give the plastic bit of the barrel a hard tap (where the key goes in) and the plastic bit pops out and the steering lock activates. I know it's hard to understand what I'm trying to say, but in short, the barrel might be you problem too. The barrel can be removed.

[scvs6]

I think so. The barrel does play a part in activating the steering lock. Sometimes when I remove my key the centre of the barrel doesn't pop out and when that happens my steering lock doesn't activate, then I give the plastic bit of the barrel a hard tap (where the key goes in) and the plastic bit pops out and the steering lock activates. I know it's hard to understand what I'm trying to say, but in short, the barrel might be you problem too. The barrel can be removed.

Thanks mate. I have pulled the covers off from around the steering wheel, how does the ignition barrel come out? I can't see how its held in there.

[accentstencil]

Thanks mate. I have pulled the covers off from around the steering wheel, how does the ignition barrel come out? I can't see how its held in there.

You have to put the key into the ignition and turn it to the on position, then insert a pin or something like a small alen key or drill bit into the hole in the top of the housing and depress it to unlock it and then the lock cylinder should come out.
To re instal it you have to push a small screwdriver or something into the the hole in the housing from where you removed the lock cylinder, to lock it into position. Turn the key to the on position and push the cylinder back into the housing.

[scvs6]

You have to put the key into the ignition and turn it to the on position, then insert a pin or something like a small alen key or drill bit into the hole in the top of the housing and depress it to unlock it and then the lock cylinder should come out.
To re instal it you have to push a small screwdriver or something into the the hole in the housing from where you removed the lock cylinder, to lock it into position. Turn the key to the on position and push the cylinder back into the housing.

Ok thanks for that. Ill have a look tomorrow when its light outside haha.

[scvs6]

Ok, I have pulled the ignition barrel out and once I done that, the steering locked. So I used a small screwdriver and unlocked it again. Then I sprayed WD40 in and put the barrel back in and took the key out, but still not locking. Then when I pulled the barrel out again, the steering locked. Any suggestions or does anyone know what could be wrong?

[NVMYVT]

sounds like your ignition barrel is slightly jamming and needs replacing, it works fine for ignition but wont allow the steering lock to engage, replace it and you should have solved your issue :P

[scvs6]

Thanks for your help everyone, just fixed it. Problem was the spring on the end of the ignition barrel was on the wrong way and it wasn't putting enough pressure on the barrel. I turned it around and now it works perfect everytime.

When I first bought the car, the steering wheel was hitting the top plastic cover and was annoying be everytime I turned. I found that the bottom cover wasn't on properly and once I put everything back in place it was fine. So obviously someone has had it all apart before and maybe they put the spring on the wrong way if it fell off on them.

Anyway thanks for your help again. It still wouldn't be working if no-one told me how to pull the barrel out