Anyone help on this one.  Mate has an 03 plate 2.2CD  auto.  Only had it a few weeks , went a got it by himself although i said I would willingly go with him. Not a bad buy actually - but - turning on the ignition key has always felt not quite right - sort of rough & catching . He says sometimes you have to fiddle with it.

Cut along story short he has now taken it to the local Stealers, been there since tuesday waiting on an estimate to how much to replace it.

Is it an item that can be replaced by the owner or has it got electronic security etc. that needs to be programmed to the car?

Got a feeling the stealers are gonna be charging heavy for this little problem :( :( :(

Any advice would be great       TIA    Al :y :y 

Essex Big Al wrote on 29. Apr 2011 at 16:18:

Anyone help on this one.  Mate has an 03 plate 2.2CD  auto.  Only had it a few weeks , went a got it by himself although i said I would willingly go with him. Not a bad buy actually - but - turning on the ignition key has always felt not quite right - sort of rough & catching . He says sometimes you have to fiddle with it. Cut along story short he has now taken it to the local Stealers, been there since tuesday waiting on an estimate to how much to replace it. Is it an item that can be replaced by the owner or has it got electronic security etc. that needs to be programmed to the car? Got a feeling the stealers are gonna be charging heavy for this little problem :( :( :( Any advice would be great       TIA    Al :y :y

Tell him to go & get the car back, most dealers don't know their 4rse from their elbow, and tell him to follow the guide ...... http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225657771
:y :y :y :y

Thanks Andy B -

think I  can sort it for him now I have seen the guide  :y :y :y :y :y

Seize ignition barrels are common on Vauxhalls of this age, and for some reason at this time of year. Las easter I picked up 4 in a week.

So, to save yorself a lot of grief, follow the guide AS SOON as your lock starts messing about.

To add a little to the guide, pay a little attention to the item marked "sprung pin" in the picture.

The track that this runs around as it pulls the barrel into the lock was worn on mine. Polished it up with a dremel and lubricated it and the key turns smoothly again.

Well worth doing before it jams completely and you have to butcher it. ;D

Kevin

This post prompted me to look at my Astra's lock. Removed it, dismantled it, lub'd it all up but it still doesn't always want to give me the key back. I've to wiggle the key to get it out of the barrel.  :-/ :-/ :-/ The barrel itself doesn't want to spring out at the last turn.
A job for another day.