Here's a new one for me, I have sprayed a lubricant and still unable to insert the key?

Anybody know how to fix it?

Thanks
Dan

Update

After continued spraying with light oils, penetrating oils, graphite w/ solvent products and contact cleaner type sprays over a several month time period it appears I have solved this for now.

For a few weeks now I have been able to insert the key and rotate the cylinder. I did a final cleaning (dousing) with contact cleaner to get out all the previous things sprayed in there. I bought some dry type teflon spray with a carrier solvent to do a final lubrication of the cylinder. After a couple of applications and continued testing I am feeling I have this solved.

With hurricane Dorian threatening FL over the past several weeks I decided it was wise to reassemble the dash so I could move the car if necessary. So all is back together and the key and the car is working fine, I just need to give it time now to build confidence that it is fixed.

Dan

Just yesterday I stumbled on the cylinder and lock assembly I'd looked into, thinking I should ask how this turned out for you. Hooray!

Then just now, I googled "super glue lock" and did some brief reading.

Doubleheader at the trop!
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.

Key insertion is one of the most basic function for RWD cars as such I don't know of any anti-theft mechanism installed. There must be mechanical issue regarding this (apart from using wrong key).

Couldn't insert the key at all or halfway?

Try to use the key at other locks eg. trunk, door. If the key is ok with other locks then the problem lies with the ignition tumbler itself. There's a protective flap closing the ignition keyhole. There could be dirt/foreign body preventing it to open. Try to use solvent such as carb cleaner to clean the tumbler.

If you live in cold climate the tumbler could be frozen. Try heating it with hairdryer. If all else fails you might need to call the locksmith.

Amarin.

Amarin
Yes the key works fine in other locks as well as the spares I have.

The tumbler flap seems to be partially open possibly blocking the key or something has failed in the tumbler causing the not to retract fully.

The key hits the partially retracted flap and goes no further, so it doesn't enter the tumbler at all.

Thanks
Dan

Hi Dan,

Though maybe too late now, or not the cause, yet use the lightest of key chains you use to insert into a RWD Volvo ignition lock.

A heavy key chain with all sort of keys, fobs, bottle openers, and maybe a heavy chain or anvil can ruin the ignition lock.

Yet I guess the issue is in part by the steering wheel locking feature when turned with the key out. How you have to jiggle or gently twist to turn the locked steering wheel so you can turn the ignition key clockwise.

The graphite spray is best. I have a spray can. Used once or twice, the graphite appears to persist in the lock mechanism.

Probably does not help you.

Glad to see you post again!

Happy Monday.
--
Donate NOW! Give your brickboard.com a big DONATION!!! Find the on brickboard pages!

Hey Kit!

I have been harping on that to my Volvo driving family for a long time! My keychain is 2 keys but I suspect the damage was done by the previous owner who was supposed to be a Dr's wife.

This is a big problem for current owners and not something most of us know anything about. It seems like the best solution is to buy used on ebay and hope it lasts! It is a big job removing the steering column, pressing the old key assembly off and then pressing and equally old part back on.

Not sure at this point what a locksmith can do but I may need to ask the question.

Dan

Art
I found your notes on a 93 ignition lock, mine won't let me put a key into the tumbler. At this point I'm guessing the lock need replacing or repairing?

Do I need to lower the steering column to remove the lock assembly you show?

Can the lock be removed by removing the pin you show without removing the assembly?

Thanks
Dan

"Art
I found your notes on a 93 ignition lock, mine won't let me put a key into the tumbler. At this point I'm guessing the lock need replacing or repairing?"


Dan, which notes please?
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Art
Could the electrical part of the switch cause the key from entering the tumbler?

I have experienced slight delay in starting when I turn the key before the starter turns.
Thanks
Dan

I don't know, but I can check this by preventing the key-insert rod from moving with the switch removed. You could as well, by removing the switch to see if you can then insert the key, but it will be a lot easier for me to check on a loose part. Back in a few.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

There are 10 different kinds of people.
Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Thanks Art, I don't want to remove the electrical switch if I don't have to!
Dan

Well, Dan, I'm going to recommend you do, because here's what happened when I did:

After I pulled the switch I pushed in the actuating rod to simulate what might occur if the switch jammed. The rod clicked and stayed in. I could not insert the key past the cover flap over the slot.

Now, this unit I'm playing with was under water, so it has mud in pretty much every unsealed cavity, and I figure that's what got it stuck in. I could not extract the rod by grabbing it with small flat-nosed pliers, so I laid the key against the slot cover flap, and whacked it with the pliers I had in my hand. No go.

Instead of a key, I used an 1/8" screwdriver at the slot cover, and again whacked it, with only the small pair of pliers as an impact tool. The rod popped out and I could again insert the key, and now, the spring inside the lock would consistently return the rod to its extended position. IOW, it wouldn't stick the slot cover closed any longer.

End result is I think you won't have to remove the steering column, but just the switch. I hope so, anyway.






--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Three men were sentenced to be executed by guillotine; a priest, a Muslim, and an engineer.

first was the priest and he asked that he face upwards so he could look at Heaven and his Creator. his wish was granted and the blade fell, but stopped 1/2 inch from his neck. the executioner said since the guillotine spared him, so was his life and he was allowed to leave.

next was the Muslim and he asked that he also be allowed to face upwards to look to Allah before his death. again the guillotine stopped just short and his life was spared as well.

the engineer was last and he too asked to face upwards given what happened with the first two. as he lay there, he looked up at the mechanism and said, "Aha, i see the problem!".

Art
I got it out relatively easy by removing the drivers seat.

It looks like your first picture, retracted into the body. Tumbler still blocked, I tapped from the backside forward but nothing changed. The rod is loose down at that end as I can move it around.

So you placed a 1/8 " screw driver blade on the front flap and tapped it lightly which released the rod?

My flap / tumbler door is partially open.
Thanks
Dan

When you say it is loose at that end, do you find the rod can wiggle, but it can't be pulled out? That's the way mine was before I knocked it back. For me to know anything more about how it works, I will need to take the lock apart.

Can't put that on the priority list today, but maybe tomorrow. About time I saw what was inside those locks.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

There once was a young engineer, who having worked for several years, decided that he and his family should have a weekend getaway place. He searched the surrounding country, and found a lovely spot with frontage on a small river. They built a cabin, and began spending time there every chance they got. The kids loved it, and friends came for the quiet and fishing.
The engineer, however, wanted something unique for his cabin. He had been an award-winning pole vaulter in college. He therefore built a set of poles with a crosspiece, and a mulched run. He bought a new carbon fiber vaulting pole, new shoes, and was set. He would set off down the run, plant his pole, soar over the crosspiece, and land in the river with a satisfying splash. What a great way to spend a hot afternoon. He tried to teach a few friends to vault, with no success.
He enjoyed his cabin for years, and went out early in the spring one year. It had been a very wet winter, lots of rain afterward. Whent the family arrived, the river was up and flowing at a good clip, with twice the usual current flowing. The engineer was determined to enjoy a few vaults into the water, but his wife didn't think it was safe. But, he was a good swimmer, and proceeded to have a go at it. His run and jump were flawless, he hit the water in good form, but upon surfacing, he was swept downstream and disappeared. His body was found later that day, tangled in streamside debris. It was a sad end for the engineer, and the family sold the cabin, with no desire to return to the scene of such tragedy.
Our lamented engineer was a Civil Engineer. Had he consulted one of his Electrical Engineer brethren, he would have been warned that "It's not vaultage that kills you, it's the current!"

Art

"I will need to take the lock apart.

Can't put that on the priority list today, but maybe tomorrow. About time I saw what was inside those locks."

If you figure out how to remove the cylinder let me know! I have tried!

It looks like the steering column will need to come out.

May have to put in a switch and push button as Amarin suggests.

Thanks
Dan

Well, yes, I think you'll need to remove the steering column. I suspect yours is attached just like the one I removed, a casting completely surrounding the column and press fit to it, not clamped like the old one I had on that note page. See the marks made when the factory pressed it on.

Then, disassembling the lock might be your next step since drop-in replacements might not be easy to procure. Mine is still on the garage floor, so I'll have a look later today if time permits. The challenge is removing the pin from the side of the lock without chewing things up too much, I guess. Haven't done it yet, but I know others have, but apparently they aren't reading your posts currently.

I like Amarin's view of our cars as candidates for drastic measures. The ignition switch is a bit more complicated than a toggle switch you used to be able to buy at the hardware store. But it is possible to do a mod like that, just more involved than a few words can describe. However, my acquaintance to your ownership style tells me this isn't in the cards yet.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar." (Drew Carey)

So far I have figured out that removing the core isn't as easy as putting the key in the lock turning it to one of the positions, pushing a release button and pulling it out.

Maybe a locksmith has a core key?

Dan

I don't think it needs any special key. I think this plug needs to be removed.

Edit: After pressing the lock off of the steering column, closer inspection shows two of those pins/plugs, roughly at 90-degrees from each other. Also, there's a cover plate for the steering column lock rod, all work needing some tooling on the die casting. Stay tuned...




--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"I would never have succeeded as a teacher in these times. All too often one encounters a "child" who just begs to be left behind." - AB

You're probably right, mine has two of those plugs!
Dan

Dan, I've removed the lock assembly from the steering column, removed the pins and dropped the cylinder from the lock assembly, but if I open the cylinder I will destroy the pretty stainless steel cover where you put in the key.

One thing I learned is there is no "flap" like on the door locks, but the key insertion does spread two walls on either side which operate the spring-loaded release for the steering lock.

It looks like it might do you some good to remove the cylinder and at least be sure that's where the trouble is before looking for a replacement. That is, depending on how long you can leave the thing in pieces. Pics to follow later.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

What would men be without women? Scarce, sir... mighty scarce. - Mark Twain

I hope to dig them out this afternoon.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"Technically, Windows is an 'operating system,' which means that it supplies your computer with the basic commands that it needs to suddenly, with no warning whatsoever, stop operating." -Dave Barry

"However, my acquaintance to your ownership style tells me this isn't in the cards yet."

It's getting close!

Dan

Art
Yes the end would wiggle, I never tried pulling the rod out from the back but I thought about it.

Spraying and tapping the housing did finally allow me to get the key inserted and extend the rod.

I have a graphite spray that has a solvent like carrier that evaporates leaving the graphite. Do you think that's a good idea? I also have a PTFE spray that sets up like a grease, not sure grease is a good idea?

The key hung up in the tumbler and would not not go in a few times but I kept working it to the point I think whatever was in there was at least dislodged now and not causing problems.

Now I need to reassemble the mess I created and hope it doesn't happen again.

Thanks
Dan

Update
It's hit and miss as to the tumbler working so I think I need to replace or get repaired . Do you think a locksmith can do this with the lock installed?

Hi Dan,

Glad to hear you made progress.

"I have a graphite spray that has a solvent like carrier that evaporates leaving the graphite. Do you think that's a good idea? I also have a PTFE spray that sets up like a grease, not sure grease is a good idea?"

My choice would be the graphite bearing spray, but I don't have any better knowledge of what's good for it than you do.

"Do you think a locksmith can do this with the lock installed?"

Sorry, I have no idea what magic comes with the title "locksmith." No experience with them.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Around the turn of the last century, a very famous electrical engineer gave up his trade and decided to travel around the world and discover other cultures. On his way back through the US, he stumbled upon a very poor and isolated Navajo village. He was so awed that his fellow Americans could be living in such destitution, that he sought out the Chief, to see what he could do to help. After several hours, the engineer finally succeeded in explaining the concept of electricity to the Chief, he implored the Chief to think of some way to implement the new technology.

After a few minutes, the Chief scratched his head and said, "Well, you know the outhouse is very cold and dark in the winter. Perhaps a light bulb would make that a better place for our people.

Needless to say, the engineer fulfilled the request, and became the first tourist to wire ahead for a reservation.

http://cleanflametrap.com/ign_sw.html

Thanks
Dan

Sorry, I forgot that page and what it contained. There's mention of a '93 in there, but that mention refers to the link to the shifter, and I've never had the pleasure of having my hands or eyeballs on that contraption, just what I read in the parts diagram of the external cable from the shifter:



I did pull the steering shaft from a '91 so I recall the casting for the lock was pressed on the tube, not clamped like the one in that page. I suspect this was still the case in '93. Ugh. I'll get some pics this morning and add to the thread.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Why do computer engineers get Halloween and Christmas mixed up?

Because 31oct = 25dec.

Art
Mine is a 5 speed M47. the key casting appears to be clamped.
Dan

Do you have more than one key you can try? Is the steering in a bind against the ignition lock?
--
82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek

I do have more than one key, the problem is I can't insert any of them into the tumbler. Something must be stuck or broken not allowing a key to be inserted.

Yes the steering wheel is locked and any amount of turning it doesn't help.
THANKS
Dan

Yup - suspect you’ll have to pull the assembly...
--
82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek

I was afraid of that!
I don't see much on 240 ignition locks do you have any idea how to do that?
Thanks
Dan