Technical Start car with Ignition switch

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Technical Start car with Ignition switch

melinda

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Hello everyone , i'm new to this forum but I don't know how to speak english very well however i will try my best
Unfortunately, a few days ago i couldn't introduce normally the fiatuno keys to the slot and it looks like the keys are stuck
im very stressed because its the only car i have and i can not afford a new fiat ignition part and new keys so far
However i started to think how can i find a temporary solution and i found this article for the definition of the ignition switch on wisegeek com
there's a part saying : "Once the ignition switch is separated from the back of the lock cylinder, the car can be started with a screwdriver"

Is it true? do you think it can be done with the fiat uno?
 
Unfortunately, a few days ago i couldn't introduce normally the fiatuno keys to the slot and it looks like the keys are stuck

Do you mean that the the key will not go in the barrel at all, or that it is now in and will not come back out?
I assume you mean they will not go in, and so the problem is that you can't start the car, rather than get the keys out.


However i started to think how can i find a temporary solution and i found this article for the definition of the ignition switch on wisegeek com
there's a part saying : "Once the ignition switch is separated from the back of the lock cylinder, the car can be started with a screwdriver"

Older cars can be started without the keys, or even a screwdriver. However, I'm not going to say any more! :D
(it's basically how you start a car to steal it, other than getting into the car in the first place!)


Welcome to locks 101.

Here is a lock:

RealThing03.jpg


A lock works by the up and down bits on the key pushing different length pins in the "barrel" of the lock.
The different length pins sitting in the correct up and down bits on the key, cause the pins to be lined up and not touching the rest of the lock, enabling the key to be turned. Don't forget that Uno keys, as well as many others, have two sets of pins, one on each side of the key. They all have to line up for the key to be turned.
Once the key is turned, it engages an electrical contact in the barrel, causing a electrical charge that starts the engine by magic.

I'd spray a little WD40 (or other lubricating spray fluid) into the barrel. I reckon that one of the pins or the spring in the barrel has gotten stuck in the "up" position, and so the key will not go into the lock.

Unless you mean that the little flap that stops dirt getting into the barrel when the keys are not in the ignition? :confused:

Does the key go in at all?
If so, roughly how far in?
If not, will a unbent paper clip go in at all? Can you feel any blockages in the barrel?


Welcome to the forum by the way! :)
Where are you based?
 
Last edited:
Hello,

The key can go into the barrel but get stuck in the middle and i dont know why however the key can come out of the barrel without problem
I'm based in morocco , there are many people using this car
I tried to open the black box under the steer wheel , but i didn't find the ignition part
 
The key can go into the barrel but get stuck in the middle and i dont know why however the key can come out of the barrel without problem

To me, it sounds like a pin is stuck somehow.
Get a paperclip, or other stiff and straight wire, and insert it as far as you can into the middle of the lock.
Once it will go no further, push down (into one set of pins) and slowly pull the wire out at the same time.
This will cause any pin(s) stuck pointing into the lock, to slide back into their guides.
The pin(s) will not be pointing out as when you push the key in, it should automatically have slid the pin(s) back into place.

Give it a small spray of WD40 first.

I tried to open the black box under the steer wheel , but i didn't find the ignition part

Leave that alone for now! :)
 
Ok, if you just take the switch off & leave the lock in place, the first bend you come to the steering lock will click on, causing a crash, so:

1. spray some wd40/oil into the key hole

2. remove the plastic steering trim/surround with the screws underneath

3. gently put the key in till it stops

4. jiggle & shake the key up & down while gently pushing it in

5. if that doesnt work do the same thing, but while tapping the outside of the lock with a hammer to move the `problem pin` out of the keys way

6. keep doing it untill the key goes in, & when it moves, THEN turn it to the first click clockwise

7. then press the pin on the underneath on the lock barrel, this releases the actual lock & you can then pull it out with the key

8. then either take the lock to a locksmith to repair it or get a used barel & key from a car scrap / wreckers yard


If the key refuses to then you will have to remove the whole assembly, either by unscrewing the lock part using a hacksaw to cut a groove in the (rounded) shear bolts (2x underneath, facing upwards), enabling you to use a scrwedriver to remove them, or, if you dont have the patience & can locate a new lock assembly complete, unscrew the switch from the back, then break the whole thing off using 2-3` length of steel tubing placed over the barrel & forced downwards.
 
Hello everyone,

One of my friends decided to help me financially for the ignition problem so I just wanted to let you know that i resolved my problem

thank you again
 
Glad to hear it! :)

I'm sure it wouldn't be to hard to repair for very little money.


Anyway, problem fixed! :D
 
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