T5 ignition key sticking in lock

[Dennisg51]

2010 T5 auto, diesel. Am experiencing the ignition key failing to be removed from the steering lock. Had similar issue under warranty in 2013 and the dealer service answer was to pump it full of graphite.

Am now travelling remote and had total failure of key to be removed, I constantly need to restart, giggle the wheel and or move back fwd to then try and shutdown and then hopefully remove the key. (NB yes I am shutting down in accordance with VWManual operations).

Had a total ignition failure the other day after removing the key, central locking failed. Tried my wife's spare key to see if it was key battery related but both failed to work. I got back into the van, placed key back in ignition and it simply revolved without starting ignition sequence, just spun loosely. I removed the key, giggled the steering wheel, put the key back in and all started okay......was able to then removed key and remote lock the van. This has now happened twice.

I'm miles away from service centres and one helpful dealer said it sounds like the outer lock failure...a computer spares check indicates parts need to be imported, thus 4 weeks away!!

Any chance someone can advise if I can open the steering cover (how) and check if this lock is simply loose in a housing??? I have been 'off road' and over some shaky ground.....but have no clue how this ignition sits into the steering column. Thoughts will be much appreciated.

[Umai Naa!!]

I've done one in the past.

The issue is with the ignition barrel itself.

At the time, I was working at a dealership, and the van was still under warranty. We just replaced the barrel with a pre-coded one to suit the VIN, and that was that. I'd say it was ex-Singapore, so about 2 weeks.

[Dennisg51]

Thanks 'volkswagenist', the WA dealership I went to diagnosed I needed a new cylinder ignition barrel....YES 3 to 4 wks wait.

I went back to the NSW dealer who repaired same 'key stuck in ignition' back in 2013 under warranty and finally got the service mgr to check their computer.....they had replaced the ignition barrel (part nos VW107905855CF lock cycl ign )...the WA dealer was replacing the same part just over 2 years later????? Plus they also ordered VW6R090585 lock, had both all installed (1 hr) last Thursday 1st OCT.

Immediately commenced our return trip to NSW, drove a few hundred klms east, stopped for lunch break....YEAP sure enough, same issue 'T5 key stuck in ignition with steering lock'....has happened every day since at odd occasions, thus not consistently. I am now in Adelaide with good internet reception, thus re-posting.

WA dealer is sorry the fix failed ($800.00 later)....all I can try is take it up with VW Aust customer service.

Anyone else experienced similar issues?????

[jets]

Had similar issue under warranty in 2013 and the dealer service answer was to pump it full of graphite.

IMO, that process is very old & I used to do that 50 years ago. I now use a Teflon based gun lube that I spray in the lock while moving the key in & out. My previous Polo had a worn ignition lock at approx. 135,000km when I purchased the car. I tried the lube but by then it was too late. On my other cars where I have purchased new or near new, an occasional lube has saved the barrel assembly.
I don't know if lack of lube was your problem or something else.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[H8T0W8]

Dennisg51,
I also own a T5.2 2010 DSG, as with yours my key was getting stuck in the ignition barrel, After nearly breaking the key off a few times i found that the button on the auto selector was sticking in, this for some reason this stops the key from coming out. Next time your key is stuck just check the button on the side of the DSG selector is not stuck in.

[Sunny43.5]

Had similar problem in our T5 but not sure if its related , you would put the key in and it would just spin freely around as if there was nothing inside remove it and put it back in and it would be fine again . My neighbours car displayed similar problem with key removal and as above it was the interlock from the auto causing the problem whilst not a VW it was the same as described above .