how to remove ignition barrel from a vz executive

[keirren]

hi all ew to the forums just wondering how to remove the ignition barrel from my vz.the ignition is stuck and i cant turn my car on i have tried for hours and no luck any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[torana355]

Use some graphite powder so you can start the car, i had the same thing happen to me then take it to a mech and they will install a new barrel for you.

[IvanTheTerrible]

It is very fiddly and chances are it is the switch thats seized not the barrel.

[PaulSV6]

Tried WD40 or Silicon spray?

[keirren]

thanks for the replies i ended up getting it out

[Ryan272]

thanks for the replies i ended up getting it out

just curious as to how you got it out? don't need to know, but interesting to learn these things.

[4XRD-VZ Calais]

hey im going through the same phase!. this started happening yesterday. I couldnt turn the key to start the car! After alot of fiddling and jiggling.. i managed to get it started. But last night was terrible. I wanted to start the car and the bloody key just wont turn. I tried fiddling with the steering wheel and turning at the same time but nothing!!.. I couldnt get it started last night and still cant this morning!!..PLEASE HELP!!

[impulsesv6]

mine is starting to do the same thing... key goes in and wont turn... with a little jiggling it eventually goes...

[keirren]

i ended up destroying the barrel then jammed a screwdriver in and turned it with a set of multigrips on the end of the screwdriver once the ignition was on i just pushed in the pin on top and pulled the barrel out.pretty rough i know but atleast i got it out

[4XRD-VZ Calais]

umm.. i have tried all day long and still cant get the key to turn. i have tried everything.!! looks like i have to remove the ignition barrel and do something!. anyone out there who has the same problems and has resolved it??

[impulsesv6]

have made mine alot better with some WD40...

sprayed the key till dripping and inserted it into the barrel - did this a few times....
and took the light ring out and sprayed around the bit of plastic the key goes in (you will see the bit of plastic that spins against what doesnt - thats where i sprayed)

and working 100% atm

[johnom]

4XRD, the locking bolt/pin in the columm could be jammed, try moving the car back and forth or even turning one of the front wheels by hand to release the force on the bolt/pin. I own a VZ with 69,000kms and this happened to me yesterday. A locksmith told me to try it, it worked the first time and got me half way home when I decieded to stop at a servo for a top-up, it jammed again. No matter how much pushing & WD40 in the lock, it would not release again. I rang a mate ( VR 5 litre and 1650 kg rated tow bar) and rented a car carrier from the servo. I think car and trailer weighed 2100-2200 kgs but we got it home only 5kms away. I was in luck as the front wheels were locked in the straight position. Now to pull apart the columm.

[slidways]

Hi guys u ll find this a major floor with commodores from vn 2 vz and also vectras and barinas it is caused by the locking pin in the ignition barrel wearing out. When its stinking hot is normally when it locks up the pin gets very hot and jams in place. It can be temp fixed wif wd 40 and a small pointy tool. But the fact is it will jam up again u need to replace the barrel this is a fairly straight forward procedure as long as u get your locksmith 2 key it up 4 u. If u have any qeustions dont hesitate to ask

[4XRD-VZ Calais]

Hi guys u ll find this a major floor with commodores from vn 2 vz and also vectras and barinas it is caused by the locking pin in the ignition barrel wearing out. When its stinking hot is normally when it locks up the pin gets very hot and jams in place. It can be temp fixed wif wd 40 and a small pointy tool. But the fact is it will jam up again u need to replace the barrel this is a fairly straight forward procedure as long as u get your locksmith 2 key it up 4 u. If u have any qeustions dont hesitate to ask

umm..sounds about right. because my calais is always parked outside (without any sort of cover) and it gets bloody hot inside. Fijian weather plus dark blue paint plus black leather....its gonna get hawt!!

and i was a bit reluctant to try ur WD 40 method.. since i was afraid it would do more damage. (remember parts here are very expensive to get.)

[holdon !!]

hey guys took all your advise and went with a hammer,screwdriver with some brute force and ignorance and mannaged to turn the key and it worked so does any one know how to take the barrel out

[Veriton]

I've never had to yet on a VY/VZ, how ever I have done heaps from VR/VS to VT/VX models and they all have a small hole you stick something small and right angle into it, push the pin down and pull it out (irony however is that you'll need the key in the ON (ignition) stage to make this work, if you manage to finally turn it, I recommend you do this prior to turning it off, then simply stick a flat head screw driver down the barrel housing to turn off the switch, or pull it out, however you can't pull the switch out with the barrel still in).

[kblume]

Seems to be quite common, only way to fix properly is to replace the barrel. Lubing it up wont last very long. If you cant get the key to turn and need to start it, give the key a sharp tap with a hammer whilst turning.. Does the trick

[Veriton]

Seems to be quite common, only way to fix properly is to replace the barrel. Lubing it up wont last very long. If you cant get the key to turn and need to start it, give the key a sharp tap with a hammer whilst turning.. Does the trick

Well the barrel, not the key. You might break the key if struck with a hammer .

[bigdaddycool]

the barrel also wont turn if the car thinks it's the wrong key

[andyman]

the barrel also wont turn if the car thinks it's the wrong key

can i fix that with a tune so i can use any commodore key?