How I fixed my igniton switch problem (longish) (archive)

This happened to my 89 535. I shot the lock with lock-ease. Very quick and small amount of it. That didnt work as well as I would have hoped. So, I pulled of the Airbag (T-30 Allen), lined up the steering wheel and marked the dead center postion and pulled off the wheel. I then brought down the bottom of the column and disconnected the ignition switch from the lock. From what I remember, the switch was only held on with tabs, But be careful! I then took the screwdriver out of the trunk toolbox and used that to turn the switch to see if that was the problem. The car started with the screwdriver, so I knew the lock was the problem. I taped the steering lock down and I replaced the steering wheel making sure the marks lined up.

After numerous testing the key into the lock to see if it unfroze itself, I decided to see if the lock-ease would work its way down into the greater depths of the cylinder.

That night I went to a local Friendly's and was curiously asked by a State Trooper who decided to get some Ice Cream that night for my License and Registration. Of course, everything checked out and I was about my way after trying to sheepishly explain why the steering wheel and the bottom of the column were taken down.

Anyways...

The next morning I checked the lock with the key again and it moved smooth as butter. I replaced everything again but I left the tape on the steering column lock just in case something happenend again. I left it on there for about a month, which I shouldn't have done (In case the tape came off when I was driving and jammed my steering wheel), and the problem hasn't occured again. That was 2 months ago.

Sorry for this for being so long...

Ben C.
1989 535iA
179k

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