Before I Start Pulling Things To Bits

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

When I bought my latest pug I was told that one of the problems that it has is a dodgy ignition barrel.

 

I thought this would really mean that it has the normal poor starter signal causing the usuall 'dead started' symptom, but when I first drove the car I realised that I think he may be correct. Sometimes when you start it the battery light stays on and non of the guages work and the engine starts to die off, but if you tap the key as if to move it back to the normal running position all is dandy.

 

I washed the car off today including stam cleaning all of the old oil away from the sub frame and sump, chamiox dried the car and fired her up and drove it back into the garage. Later on tonight I went out to get a beer and have a tab, thought I would start the olg girl up and see if I could spot any of the leaky bits.

 

It would not start. It was weird though. Almost as if the whole ignition system was switched off on cranking. Spin and Spin but no life. BUT, when you release the key to give up the attempt, it seems like for a second it wants to run but obviously as you have turned the key off it dies instantly. If you imagine you are holding the key on full (normal cranking position) and it is spinning like crazy (for upto a minute) but the very second you start to realease the pressure from the key it kicks but dies. Does that make sense?

 

I can see what the guy may mean now, I can understand the problem he told me of, and I am not too bothered as I have a complete ignition barrel and lock set in my garage. But do you think it is a likely cause of the problem?

 

Almost as if the ignition barrel is only sending signal to the starter on full turn, and not the ignition system.

 

I hope you can follow my ramble!

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Sounds likely there is something up with the barrel, although when I have steam cleaned 8v 205's before they almost always need the dizzy cap drying out afterwards.

 

Anyway as you have a spare barrel its a 2 min job to plug it in and see if that cures your fault.

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

Remind me again, If I remember correctly, it is put the key in, turn to position 2, press the little pin thing back in and slide out the barrel?

[DamirGTI 342]

Just for a test , it'll be simple solution to unplug the ign. barrel connector from the fuse box .. then connect the spare one in and give it a go ... if it's fine , then replace the barrel completely off the steering column (need to unscrew a little phillps screw on the barrel housing as well before removing the barrel out)

 

Damir

[welshpug 1,657]

Remind me again, If I remember correctly, it is put the key in, turn to position 2, press the little pin thing back in and slide out the barrel?

 

 

not quite, in between 1 and 2, you'll see a little mark between the numbers IIRC, just press the pin and turn the key till the pin goes in

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

Well, i just went out and pulled out all of the under dash crap. Forgot about the stupid immobiliser didnt I.

 

Cock.

 

Looks like I am going to have to swap all the immob wiring over one by one till we can swap it over.

[Pugnut 9 1 Cars]

my white 1.9 did this when i bought it.I finally gave in and replaced the barrel after months of sitting in car parks frantically turning the key back and forth until the ignition finally sprang into life, although it would always turn over.

 

yes its the barrel