Replacing Ignition Switch

[John in Simi Valley]

I've been having some trouble with my 1980 528i. After turning off the key, many times the dash lights and radio are still on.

I've replaced the aft portion of the switch that houses the electrical contacts and cabling. Still same problem. I spoke to a mechanic about what else it could be. He said the back of the tumbler has a tongue that engages into the electrical portion. It gets worn and too sloppy to turn the contacts all the way back - replace that and you should be fine.

So here's my question; I don't want to have two sets of keys, can I buy a lock that is keyed to my car? I know the ignition locks are numbered as "HB1234" where "1234" is different from most locks. If mine is "HB3572" I'm hoping I can order a tumbler HB3572 and it be the SAME key.

This is speculation on my part, anyone know if this is true?
Any OEM sources? Because BMW dealer says out of stock.

Thanks!

[pappentl]

I haven't taken one apart in a while, but you should be able to take a new one to a lock smith and have it made to fit your key. RealOEM shows the locks as being available, try another dealer or Maximillion's http://www.bimmer.com/

...tom

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=3995&mospid=47163&btnr=32_0499&hg=32&fg=30


-----Original Message-----
From: John in Simi Valley <tunaoue@gmail.com>
To: tech_forum <tech_forum@firstfives.org>
Sent: Wed, Nov 27, 2013 1:14 pm
Subject: Replacing Ignition Switch

#AOLMsgPart_1_4311aa26-2d22-4ab9-82c8-f5614e106edf td{color: black;} I've been having some trouble with my 1980 528i. After turning off the key, many times the dash lights and radio are still on.

I've replaced the aft portion of the switch that houses the electrical contacts and cabling. Still same problem. I spoke to a mechanic about what else it could be. He said the back of the tumbler has a tongue that engages into the electrical portion. It gets worn and too sloppy to turn the contacts all the way back - replace that and you should be fine.

So here's my question; I don't want to have two sets of keys, can I buy a lock that is keyed to my car? I know the ignition locks are numbered as "HB1234" where "1234" is different from most locks. If mine is "HB3572" I'm hoping I can order a tumbler HB3572 and it be the SAME key.

This is speculation on my part, anyone know if this is true?
Any OEM sources? Because BMW dealer says out of stock.

Thanks!



John Savage
1980 528i 5-Speed
FirstFives COTM Editor









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[Mike W.]

I don't know about availability, some dealers don't want to mess with odd stuff and others are happy to help. It is possible to disassemble and reassemble the lock cylinder itself, I did it on one some years ago now, but not without some difficulty. You would need a good competent locksmith and hope they are up for a challenge and don't charge too much.

The mechanics hypothesis does sound reasonable, but I've seen it the other way, where it doesn't want to go far enough to engage start, which makes sense because there is a medium stiff spring in there. I had that problem and fixed it by just greasing the parts.

It would also be fairly easy at least with the kick panel off to see if that is what's going on or not, at least electrically, just hook up a meter when it happens and see what you get.

[wkohler]

You might be surprised, but I had this problem with an E21 and my old white M535i. Hazard switch. It was sitting in such a way that it was not centered and consequently made contact with something causing power to be sent to the radio, the clock and other lights on the dash. I apparently cannot rebuild these things so they don't do that.

[peter claassen]

You could try Double o two in Hayward - Marshall may have some cores

I had to replace the entire assembly 10 tears ago


They just plain wear out



On Wed, Nov 27, 2013 at 10:14 AM, John in Simi Valley <tunaoue@gmail.com (tunaoue@gmail.com)> wrote:

I've been having some trouble with my 1980 528i. After turning off the key, many times the dash lights and radio are still on.

I've replaced the aft portion of the switch that houses the electrical contacts and cabling. Still same problem. I spoke to a mechanic about what else it could be. He said the back of the tumbler has a tongue that engages into the electrical portion. It gets worn and too sloppy to turn the contacts all the way back - replace that and you should be fine.

So here's my question; I don't want to have two sets of keys, can I buy a lock that is keyed to my car? I know the ignition locks are numbered as "HB1234" where "1234" is different from most locks. If mine is "HB3572" I'm hoping I can order a tumbler HB3572 and it be the SAME key.

This is speculation on my part, anyone know if this is true?
Any OEM sources? Because BMW dealer says out of stock.

Thanks!



John Savage
1980 528i 5-Speed
FirstFives COTM Editor

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