Ignition barrel f#%ked

iainbeag1

Hi guys,
Ok I went to my 02 vectra b sri yesterday morning and key wouldn't turn in ignition. I'm looking to replace barrel but having difficulties removing the old 1. Will I have to remove steering wheel to remove the barrel. After looking online it says that by using a small Allen key on a pin it should come right off when the key is in position 1-2
My problem being that I can not turn the key to any position, no tell tale signs it was going to go either.
Any help will be greatly appreciated guys 😉

Haydn_Meager

Do you have a spare key you could try, as you said is correct as far as I know you need to get it to position 1 or 2. I will ask the guys at work tomorrow to see if they have any ideas aswell.

iainbeag1

Cheers mate. Sadly no spare key. I have other mode of transport....which happens to be a tandem.that wouldn't be so bad if I had someone to peddle with me,sadly the girlfriend isn't willing to get out of bed for 6.30am to assist me to work then find her own way to work for 9am...she's quite self centred u see.
Any ideas how I get barrel off without being able to turn key to 1 or 2 position?
If I don't get the car running soon I'm gonna end up losing weight n getting fit, much to my disappointment

evocarlos

http://vauxhall.workshop-manuals.com/astra-g/index.php?id=5044

iainbeag1

Thanks lad.

evocarlos

iainbeag1 said:
Thanks lad.

hope it helps 🙂

vocky

if the barrel doesn't turn you need to either drill out the knackered barrel or remove the complete steering lock and fit a replacement unit

iainbeag1

Nah barrels no turning, ive tried loads of wd-40,leaving it overnight, tried blasting it with air from compressor still nothing.
drilling it would make sense. what size of drill bit should I use and should I drill in the same depth as key.
I thought I'd be able to jam a screwdriver in slot, whack it with a hammer and a pair of grips to turn the screwdriver. Would that not work?
I have a new barrel and key for it,was going to put chip and fob onto new key.
Luckily I checked my messages because I was going to have my tea then approach the barrel with my hammer 🙁
Thanks for your advice guys. Very helpful

vocky

when it happened to one of my old vectras I broke apart the barrel, piece by piece, with a screwdriver and hammer - until it would finally turn to allow the barrel to be removed as if you had a key in the lock.

iainbeag1

Thank you very much vocky, you've been a great help. I shall try doing the same 😉

bobbyknowlds

when i get a vehicle at work which has had keys stolen i airsaw the end of the barrel off which gives a small amount of access to allow me to push a flattend welding rod down the sides where the tumblers are which allows to rotate the barrel with a screwdriver to the correct position to release , you should be able to cut the end off with a normal hacksaw if carefull

iainbeag1

So, after tapping barrel for around 80mins,I finally got the ignition to position 1, popped the barrel off. On inspection I found that the barrel had sheered off where the springed key guides stop and the tip of the key goes in to actually turn the ignition.(sorry for poor description) cleaned up the replacement barrel,gave it a quick file then plenty of lube everywhere. Up and running again.
Thanks for helping guys, much appreciated 😉