Ok, situation is thus:

Upon attempting to start my cinq this evening, i was able to turn the key to "Mar" position, but couldnt turn any further. Believing that pressure on the steering lock may be the problem (despite the car being on level ground), i returned the ignition to off, applied pressure to the steering wheel, and turned the key again.

I then hear a "click" as the steering lock engages, the steering wheel locks in position, and there was no longer any resistance/position stops felt on rotating the igintion key - i can now flip it all the way from off to "mar" with non of the usual position stops. I can't start the car, as the key won't turn past "Mar", and i can't move the steering wheel.

As the problem would appear to be the igition barrel, i break out the haynes manual and following the usual cryptic clues therein, try to remove said ignition barrel to inspect the damage. No dice - whilst i can depress the release toggle in the ignition barrel, and turn the key to "Mar", no amount of pulling on the key will free the ruddy thing.

Is there any other way of removing the igition barrel? Does anyone have any bright ideas that may help? Does anyone recoginse the symptoms and know a work-around? Searching similar threads has not turned up any solutions......

for reference it's an M-reg (pre-immobiliser) with the older metal barrel assembly, not the later plastic variety.

ta,
Dan.

Finally got the barrel out - it was just stiff after all, and after using a syringe to inject light oil down the sides of it i was finally able to remove it.
The bad news is that the reason for the odd behavior noted in the above post is that the lugs on the rear of the barrel, which engage with the ignition switch, have sheared off - so i'm looking at a new barrel/ignition key.:bang:

so:
1/ anyone know the part number?
2/Is there any supplier that stands out as being particularly cheaper than the rest? (Bearing in mind that i have no nearby scrappy with centos in the yard).

ta,
Dan.

Would it be easier to fit an immobiliser and do away with the key?

Cheers

D

rallycinq said:

Would it be easier to fit an immobiliser and do away with the key?

Cheers

D

Click to expand...

A)Too much like hard work - i'd then have to set about removing the steeing lock, or jury-rigging some way of dis-engaging it.

B)That also invalidates the insurance, if you read the small print (or it would with my policy anyway), as counts as "removal of factory fitted security features".

C)A second hand key set for an M-reg panda (same ignition barrel type) was availible for £30, and should be a 5 min job to refit .....Compared to that, the work/cost involved in fitting an immobiliser & removing/modifying steering lock, doesn't seem worth it.



For future reference for any poor sap facing the same issue, here is the method i used to remove the sheared-off lugs stuck in the steering lock/ignition barrel housing after removing the lock barrel:
1/ using a small (2mm dia) drill bit, bore into each lug fragment, to approx 5mm depth.
2/ screw a small, self tapping screw into the hole of one of the fragments.
3/ grip screw with pliers and withdraw fragment.
4/ repeat for other fragment.
5/ cover business end of a small screwdriver with grease, and use to remove swarf.

barrels from other fiats of the same age should fit

Get a second hand one and swap the tumbler pins over from the original so as to keep the same key. Or, Check at Fiat for a complete lock set. I got one for my Cinq a few years back for some thing like £25 so could be £40 ish now. At least all the keys will be the same.