Key won't turn in Ignition

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 00:11

Just had a bit of a nightmare, got to the car put the key ignition and the key won't turn. Thought oh, must be the steering lock so tried moving it and still can't turn the key. Tried the spare key and still can't get it to turn so I presume it must be the ignition barrel that is broken

The car is currently about 35 miles from where I live so do I:

a) Get some breakdown cover tomorrow and ring them on Monday to come get the car and possibly fix it or get me home? (Any recommended one's?)
b) Get an auto locksmith out to fix it? (Any ideas how much?)

It's so annoying when you never think that would happen and then it does

Car is a Peugeot 306 (1998), any help greatly appreciated

BeatMaster

Vibez · 1 Apr 2007 at 01:04

Have you entered the immobiliser code?

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 09:19

Vibez said:
Have you entered the immobiliser code?

No immobiliser code box

BeatMaster

tonyyeb · 1 Apr 2007 at 09:29

Does it look like someone has tried to force anything into the ignition?

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 09:32

tonyyeb said:
Does it look like someone has tried to force anything into the ignition?

Nope, ignition looks fine...key goes all the way in just doesn't turn when it gets completely in

BeatMaster

Lopéz · 1 Apr 2007 at 09:40

It really does sound like you have the steering lock activated, although the barrel may have collapsed inside.
Try the steering lock again, make absolutely sure that isn't it, keep turning the key gently and rocking the wheel left to right at the same time, because if you call a breakdown team only to find the steering lock is on you will look an ALMIGHTY pillock

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 10:12

Lopéz said:
It really does sound like you have the steering lock activated, although the barrel may have collapsed inside.
Try the steering lock again, make absolutely sure that isn't it, keep turning the key gently and rocking the wheel left to right at the same time, because if you call a breakdown team only to find the steering lock is on you will look an ALMIGHTY pillock

Sadly, 3 of us have tried including myself who has yanked the wheel left and right with no luck

Even tried moving the car slightly forward and backwards but still no go. The only think I've read on the internet is tapping the key with a rubber mallet :confused:

might do *something*

Just joining Norwich Union and will ring after 24 hours

Otherwise it's £75 + vat...in the first 24 hours, sheeesh!

Hopefully he *might* be able to fix it otherwise it'll need to be towed either home or to a garage. So much hassle, you just never think that a key just won't turn in the ignition.

BeatMaster

~Stevief~ · 1 Apr 2007 at 10:36

this happened to me before in my avensis, as a last resort I oiled the key and hey presto it worked. could try that

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 10:45

hail hail said:
this happened to me before in my avensis, as a last resort I oiled the key and hey presto it worked. could try that

Ooh will try that

When I go to the car tomorrow, I'll take WD40 and also oil the key up and hope for the best!

BeatMaster

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 13:38

Just spoke to a guy that runs a specialist Peugoet garage and been quoted £60 all in to change all the locks including drilling out the barrel. All I've got to do is get the car there

The question is, can a tow truck manage in a multi storey car park :eek:

Otherwise, I'm screwed

BeatMaster

6thElement · 1 Apr 2007 at 13:54

Generally...no.

CookieRocks · 1 Apr 2007 at 14:02

If the wheel moves, just push it out and try not to hit anything

Use your friends as brakes

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 14:17

CookieRocks said:
If the wheel moves, just push it out and try not to hit anything

Use your friends as brakes

Steering lock is on

Anyway to turn the lock off as the barrel is going to have be changed anyway?

Screwdriver to Ignition? :eek:

BeatMaster

tonyyeb · 1 Apr 2007 at 15:09

BeatMaster said:
Steering lock is on

Anyway to turn the lock off as the barrel is going to have be changed anyway?

Screwdriver to Ignition?

BeatMaster

It sounds like the barrel has locked in an anti tamper state - like someone has tried to force the lock. I saw it on an episode of the Garage on discovery channel - so don't moan if i'm wrong - just a suggestion

!

Seether · 1 Apr 2007 at 17:14

This happened to the missus' Rover 25 recently. Squirted some WD40 down into the ignition barrel using the tube nozzle. Key turned no probs after that.

Enfield · 1 Apr 2007 at 17:26

Keep wiggling the key and steering wheel at the same time, don't tugg on it though, gentle but firm movements.

BeatMaster · 1 Apr 2007 at 20:28

Seether said:
This happened to the missus' Rover 25 recently. Squirted some WD40 down into the ignition barrel using the tube nozzle. Key turned no probs after that.

Will try that tomorrow

Fingers crossed!

Enfield said:
Keep wiggling the key and steering wheel at the same time, don't tugg on it though, gentle but firm movements.

No go I'm afraid, just didn't want to budge

BeatMaster

Conanius · 1 Apr 2007 at 21:58

my 306 D Turbo did this on a few occasions. I found that if you held down the wheel as hard to the left as you could, pushed the key in, and kind of up at an angle so its like \ that in the barrel... it would work... only happened a few times....

[huzeeee] · 1 Apr 2007 at 22:05

Hammer+screwdriver+chav

Steve W · 1 Apr 2007 at 22:31

My old 309 did this. Parked it up one night, fine. Next morning wouldn't budge. A bit of WD40 sprayed into the lock sorted it perfectly.