Ignition Stuck in Acc, won't move. Tumbler Replacement?

[m3f_Ricco]

Ah, i see what you're saying. But with a push button you'd still have to turn to ACC or Run for the electrical system, I can't do either. So that wouldn't much help me out.

try this: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...+lock+cylinder

[m3f_Ricco]

And this : http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...hlight=tumbler

[m3f_mtmpow3r]

I had this happen to the wife's M3. Just pop the switch off the back of the ignition tumbler, grab the end of the tumbler with some needle nose and play around with turning it while turning the key to get the tumbler to line up again. It will snap back in and BAM! your back in buiness. I swear upon my life this works. Took me about a half hour, just make sure you loosen the two screws with red locktight on them to get the switch off.





It really works.



Or you can take it to the stealer and get it back 800 dollars later

[m3f_Poowill]

And this : http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...hlight=tumbler

thanks man! Don't know how I missed this thread..



I've tried using a bobby pin, but with no luck. I will try with something more heavy duty and hopefully i'll be able to make it work.

[m3f_Poowill]

I had this happen to the wife's M3. Just pop the switch off the back of the ignition tumbler, grab the end of the tumbler with some needle nose and play around with turning it while turning the key to get the tumbler to line up again. It will snap back in and BAM! your back in buiness. I swear upon my life this works. Took me about a half hour, just make sure you loosen the two screws with red locktight on them to get the switch off.





It really works.



Or you can take it to the stealer and get it back 800 dollars later

Awesome, thanks for the advice. Glad you were able to get this fixed yourself! Makes me a feel a little better.



So you did or didn't remove the tumbler?



Question though, when putting using the little hole to get the tumber out, what do you pull on to remove it? Does it pop off once I hit the spot with the paperclip?



Thanks again guys I'm hoping with some luck I can get this figured out.

[m3f_Ricco]

thanks man! Don't know how I missed this thread..



I've tried using a bobby pin, but with no luck. I will try with something more heavy duty and hopefully i'll be able to make it work.

GL w/your adventure

[m3f_greg12M3]

this happened to me, i went to the dealer and i paid about 100 dollars for a new tumbler and had a friend put it in, it was a pain getting it out though but now i have no problems. before my key got stuck in acc it would just spin, i could keep turning it and turning but nothing would happen and then it got locked and my radio stayed on too but i just disconnected the battery till i got the new tumbler. hopefully thats all it is. it took my friend about an 1hr and half mainly cause getting the old one out took so long but after that about 20mins later i was driving.

[m3f_NK_///M3]

This will hopefully solve your problem. I have limited time on my hands and didnt read through everything to even see if the problem has been solved.



ISSUE- Key spins 360 degrees without engaging. (tumbler not catching)



SOLUTION- You'll need needle nose plyers and a small flat head.



Remove the covering on the steering column. On the back of the tumbler you will see a big brown round "butt". This is the switch. There will be 2 screws that hold it in place (I think they red lock tight in there, just scrape it out to reveal the screw head) Remove the screws (if I remember correctly they dont come out, they just loosen, but I forget) and slide the switch off the back. You may need to turn the key to the front of the car. The electricity must be off to get the switch and tumbler back in line. To do so, stick your key in the hole of the switch and turn it, it should fit. Now your elect should be off. On the back of the tumbler you will see a metal peice that sticks out. Use the plyers and turn that tab towards the front of the car. It should shoot back inside the tumbler. At this point the tumbler is reset and you can reassemble and start your car as normal.



EDIT:Okay, heres a little more help..



The section above in red is refering to part number 3 in this illustration. The section in blue is refering to the tip of part 5.







Hope this helps.

[m3f_Poowill]

This will hopefully solve your problem. I have limited time on my hands and didnt read through everything to even see if the problem has been solved.


ISSUE- Key spins 360 degrees without engaging. (tumbler not catching)


SOLUTION- You'll need needle nose plyers and a small flat head.


Remove the covering on the steering column. On the back of the tumbler you will see a big brown round "butt". This is the switch. There will be 2 screws that hold it in place (I think they red lock tight in there, just scrape it out to reveal the screw head) Remove the screws (if I remember correctly they dont come out, they just loosen, but I forget) and slide the switch off the back. You may need to turn the key to the front of the car. The electricity must be off to get the switch and tumbler back in line. To do so, stick your key in the hole of the switch and turn it, it should fit. Now your elect should be off. On the back of the tumbler you will see a metal peice that sticks out. Use the plyers and turn that tab towards the front of the car. It should shoot back inside the tumbler. At this point the tumbler is reset and you can reassemble and start your car as normal.


I will come back and check this thread in a couple hours when I have more free time if you have any questions maybe I can walk you through it a little better. Sorry for not having any pictures, I've only done this once!

Awesome, something like this was mentioned before but you've explained it better to where I know what to look for now. I will devote some time to it tomorrow(er, today). I may take some pics if i don't get it figured out and maybe you can help me from there..

[m3f_NK_///M3]

Awesome, something like this was mentioned before but you've explained it better to where I know what to look for now. I will devote some time to it tomorrow(er, today). I may take some pics if i don't get it figured out and maybe you can help me from there..

If you need more help I edited my previous post to add pictures and descriptions. Hope that helps solve your problem!

[m3f_Poowill]

If you need more help I edited my previous post to add pictures and descriptions. Hope that helps solve your problem!

Hey, it worked! Thanks so much for the help, you are a life saver.



After i got it to work though, i got back into the car and tried to get the key in but it wouldn't go in, like the opening didn't open up. I played around a bit with a bobby pin in the ignition and it popped in.



Is there something to lube so it releases easier?



Thanks again for all the help, I was going through withdrawals and felt so good to drive the M again

[m3f_NK_///M3]

Hey, it worked! Thanks so much for the help, you are a life saver.



After i got it to work though, i got back into the car and tried to get the key in but it wouldn't go in, like the opening didn't open up. I played around a bit with a bobby pin in the ignition and it popped in.



Is there something to lube so it releases easier?



Thanks again for all the help, I was going through withdrawals and felt so good to drive the M again

No problem. I love to help a fellow forum member when I can. A lot of people just run to the dealer and end up spending an arm/leg for a new tumbler, when it isnt always needed.. Anyways, if you go check out your local hardware store you should be able to find key lock lube, its actually graphite. That should do the trick!



Glad I could help

[m3f_crowner]

I had the same issue happen to my e36 last night. Thank you so much for the post! this information is 100% correct and helped get my car started again.

[m3f_Joshuah]

Omfg Thank you so much, this saved my ass. My M is my only car and it would'nt start. Two hours and ten bloody knuckles later my car is back to normal.

[m3f_Poowill]

Omfg Thank you so much, this saved my ass. My M is my only car and it would'nt start. Two hours and ten bloody knuckles later my car is back to normal.

Glad to hear this thread has helped more than just me!



M3Forum FTW!