ignition lock replacement

[Christopher Pawlowicz <chrisp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>I have part of the ignition key stuck in the ignition lock on my 88
>535is.  I took off the steering wheel and can not see how to get the
>lock cylinder out.  Is there some trick to getting the cylinder out?  I
>guess I need instructions on how to remove the cylinder.  Also, I bought
>a replacement key from the dealer and it does not work the door locks.
>Is it possible that the dealer gave me the wrong key or was this car
>rekeyed at some point.  Is it possible to change the lock cylinder so
>that it will work with the replacement key?   Would appreciate a
>response if anyone else has had these problems.
>

the ignition lock went berzerk in my '89 325i
I don't know how it is related to E28, but here is what I did

my key was stuck *in* the ignition lock.
I could not pull the key out, and I could not start the car either (would
not turn far enough).

So I pulled the column apart, pulled the ignition switch off the end of
the lock cylinder, and started it up with a screwdriver :)
Honestly officer! it is *my* car! sigh

To remove the lock cylinder, I spent a few hours sweating and swearing.
There is a small hole on the lock cylinder. with the cylinder turned a
small amount, you stick a probe down the hole and push a little cam, releasing
the cylinder. The probe has to go *way* down the hole. And the cylinder
has to be turned just enough, but not too far.

I made a probe out of a bicycle spoke, ground it down on a bench grinder
to fit the hole.

I spent a long time poking and turning the key and it drove me nuts.. until
all of a sudden it popped out.

The door locks on E28 and E30 cars often go whacky and need replacing.
When replaced, they can be keyed to your existing keys or not, depending
on the person doing it.

BMW can make a new key from your vin# as long as the locks have not been
changed in the past.

I bought a new ignition key cylinder from BMW and it was correctly keyed
to my existing keys. I also bought the door lock repair kit and keyed it
myself to my existing keys. I have never bought keys from BMW though.


hope this helps

chris pawlowicz
'89 325i
'74 2002

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