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'91 318i won't react to ignition switch turn

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    '91 318i won't react to ignition switch turn

    Hello everyone, this is my first technical-issue post on r3vlimited.

    I bought a 1991 318i about a month ago with clear understanding that it will need new struts, new clutch, and either diff rebuild or a new diff.

    I brought the car to my friend who is good with cars (former Mercededs master technician), he agreed to work on it since I don't have a garage and tools yet.

    On the first night of working on the car he put the front wheels on the ramps and the rear on jack stands and unbolted some bolts on the tranny. At the end of the night he wanted to turn on the car to lower the window but the car didn't react to the ignition switch turn, thus it wouldn't turn on "Accessory" and thus no power in windows. With or without the key in the ignition, it will turn on the rear lights, front turn signals, and light on the dash cluster if you turn on low beams. The light inside the car turns on if you open the door. That's about it. No power to the windows, horn, or anything else.

    He thought first that maybe he accidentally drained the battery, but that isn't the case since we charged the battery and the issue persists. We ruled it off as a lost ground connection because of one of the unbolted bolts in the tranny area, and continued working on the car.

    3 weeks later, today, we put the tranny and new diff in and wanted to test drive it, but same story - the car doesn't react to the key turn. The only thing it does is unlock the steering wheel - pretty sure a mechanical feature.

    So, right now we're clueless. I downloaded the electrical troubleshooting guide and will be trying to figure out the wiring diagrams, but I thought maybe someone else had this issue before, or maybe someone has any advice on how to figure it out?

    I have a DMM and can check voltage/coninuity, but right now don't know where to start. We checked all the fuses in the fusebox - they look fine.
    Alpinewhite 318i

    #2
    did you check the ignition switch itself? is the the ignition switch actually turning.

    just because the key turns along doesnt mean the ignition switch internal is turning...

    if both units are turning. then it could be your switch itself. are the wires good? are they still connected? a new ignition switch is about $50?

    sorry but i do not know how to check if your ignition switch is still good.. i just bought a new one ot save my self the trouble.
    2007 Mazda CX-7 (red TURBO!!)
    1985 BMW 318i.... beige!
    2007 Suzuki GSX-R 600 (red)

    previous cars
    1) 1994 Isuzu Trooper (blue)
    2) 2005 Scion tC (panda w/ CF)
    3) 2001 Toyota Avalon (silver)
    4) 1988 Nissan Pulsar XE (T top in red)

    Comment


      #3
      ^^ I would also check this as it happened to a car of mine before. The key was turning but the pin that engages the ignition switch was broken, might want to give that a look

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by bzboardz View Post
        ^^ I would also check this as it happened to a car of mine before. The key was turning but the pin that engages the ignition switch was broken, might want to give that a look
        Will the pin be visible if I remove the lock?

        What will I need to replace to address the broken pin? I will look into it tonight.

        Thank you.

        Originally posted by hahaitzskippy
        did you check the ignition switch itself? is the the ignition switch actually turning.

        just because the key turns along doesnt mean the ignition switch internal is turning...

        if both units are turning. then it could be your switch itself. are the wires good? are they still connected? a new ignition switch is about $50?

        sorry but i do not know how to check if your ignition switch is still good.. i just bought a new one ot save my self the trouble.
        I haven't checked it, but will tonight. Did you have a similar issue with your car? Was it fixed by replacing the switch?
        Alpinewhite 318i

        Comment


          #5
          An update on the situation...

          The plan is to pull out the lock cylinder tonight using a nail/pin since this is a later model e30. From there, I can try starting the car using the screw driver. If it starts, the problem is in the lock cylinder (the dealership quoted making a lock cylinder to match my key to be $73 and 3-5 business days).

          If the car doesn't start with turn of the ignition switch by screw driver, it is very probably the ignition switch itself, which can be found for $50.
          Alpinewhite 318i

          Comment


            #6
            mine does this intermittently, it appears the ignition switch, opposite side of the column the key goes into, has one broken mounting tab. It takes a few turns to get it to engage and it runs fine once started...something I will be fixing this winter for sure.
            1991 318is --- currently not road worthy
            1991 318i ---- 308K - retired

            Originally posted by RickSloan
            so if you didnt get it like that did you glue fuzzy oil to the entire thing?

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by jrobie79 View Post
              mine does this intermittently, it appears the ignition switch, opposite side of the column the key goes into, has one broken mounting tab. It takes a few turns to get it to engage and it runs fine once started...something I will be fixing this winter for sure.
              I might have the same issue. After pulling out the lock cylinder, it looks like the lock cylinder is not damaged, however turning the switch with a screw driver as far as possible doesn't start the car.

              It is either the faulty switch (not shorting wires when it should) or broken mounts on the switch (thus the switch is twisting) with the screw driver.

              Ordered a new switch, should get it on Monday. In the meantime will be pulling apart the steering column.
              Alpinewhite 318i

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