Hope you can help: my daughter borrowed my wagon while her 850 was being fixed. While she had mine, she called me from a parking lot saying she couldn't get the key out of the ignition. I quickly Googled for suggestions and after a few minutes she said: "Now the key is turning 360 degrees! Is it supposed to do that?" Well, she did get the key out and everything was fine, but now when you open the car door, the bell sounds to remind you the door is open and the key is in the ignition (which it isn't) and the clicker can no longer lock the door. The key turns and starts the car, but I can tell that if I tried, that I too, could turn the key all the way around in the ignition.

Is there anything else to do except replace the whole ignition tumbler now? I've read posts from a few years ago about the shift button, but are we beyond that now?

Thanks for any suggestions and maybe a clue as to why this happened all of a sudden - was she just using too much force trying to start the car?

It is not your daughters fault, don't blame her for her arm strength :)

These locks will break and from the sounds of it, you will need a new ignition lock. The only way to get one is to order a replacement from the factory, it will be correct to the car and no programming is needed.

The old lock will need to be drilled out, Volvo uses 2 break-off screws during installation. If you DIY, get a really good drill and hard drill bit.

Klaus
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Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

LM,

Probably the mechanism is broken. It may be that the lock pin is jammed and can be released, but I don't know how to tell you to do that.

This is not uncommon for a car that old.

You're daughter's lucky that she got the key out and you can still start the car.

The tumbler can be replaced w/o removing the column and there are instruction in the archives. The part is +/- $250USD.

When it happened to me I had to replace the lock.

Good luck,
Bryan

Well, I followed your instructions for getting the key out (even though it was no longer stuck in the ignition) and I cleaned that Shiftlock Override button, lubricated with WD-40 until it was fully popped up. I felt that was something I could at least try, because whenever I just opened the car door, the bell was ringing to tell me the door was open with key in ignition (even though it wasn't).

Once I got that button fully popped up, the bell stopped ringing. I started up the car and the ignition felt "normal" - not loose like before. I went for a drive, came back and took the key right out, no problem. Have started and stopped several times and all seems okay. Could I really be in the clear and might not have to replace the tumbler? Please!!?? Maybe if I'm very careful?

Being careful is a good thing. But start saving up for a new cylinder, just in case.

Klaus
--
Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

LM,

With these Volvos anything is possible. I believe that I really didn't know how to pray until I owned a 70 series.

If the override lever (under the button) was gunked up then you may have solved the problem.

You may also want to check to make sure that the electrical portion of the switch is fully tightened. This is directly across from the key slot and is held by 2 torx screws. You need to remove the upper and lower shrouds to access it.

Its loosen may explain why your daughter was able to rotate the key.

Anyway hope you're good to go!

Bryan