BMW X5 e53 Key Won't Go into Ignition, Steering Wheel Won't Lock

[Auto Parts Guy]

I just went out there and popped the shifter boot off and the other end of the cable looks like it does go to the shifter. And makes sense that it would now that I think about it. Mine looks good, all intact and it will not go any further towards Park. I'm starting to think the spring is weak or broken inside the ignition housing, that spring that can be removed by drilling the hole in the bottom of the housing. That's the only thing that makes sense to me now.

I just locked myself out from being able to get the key in again and the only way I could get the key back in was to wiggle the steering wheel and I tapped on the bottom of the column and after about 2 min, I heard the lock click. Tried the Key and it worked no problem.

Pretty sure I need a new ignition housing and maybe the ignition/tumbler too. That sucks. I hate working on interior stuff.

I was soooo hoping the shifter cable was loose or not connected properly or something..

Originally Posted by 80stech

I think the cable goes to the shifter and might very well be part of the problem.

[aheckenast]

I grabbed the old steering lock housing & ignition cylinder at my work today. Here's some pictures, hope they help. In the second pic you can see the rotating shaft/lock mechanism how it engages.
Note: The ignition cylinder had the outer cover cut away to remove from housing because the pin/paperclip method wasn't working.

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[80stech]

So it looks like the 2 ramp sections on the end of the lock cylinder push on the collar in the housing to actuate the lock ?

[bcredliner]

Did you have any other key related ignition symptoms prior to the wheel not locking?

[Auto Parts Guy]

Thanks for the pics!
I too am trying to wrap my head around how this works. Does the thing with the red arrow move? The thing with the blue arrow is what locks in the steering shaft splines correct? How is that tied to the thing in the key cylinder which actually stops the key from going in?

I had no other key related symptoms prior to this. Ive had the X5 for a couple years, used as an extra/camping vehicle. This just started maybe a month ago.

[aheckenast]

Originally Posted by Auto Parts Guy

Thanks for the pics!

I too am trying to wrap my head around how this works. Does the thing with the red arrow move? The thing with the blue arrow is what locks in the steering shaft splines correct? How is that tied to the thing in the key cylinder which actually stops the key from going in?



I had no other key related symptoms prior to this. Ive had the X5 for a couple years, used as an extra/camping vehicle. This just started maybe a month ago.

I can't remember how exactly it engages the column to lock but that blue arrowed piece is spring loaded pushing upward. The red arrowed shaft engages it via key turning lock cylinder. Key turned to accesory or start positions prevents the lock from happening, that's why the shaft has that cam thing on it.

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[80stech]

So I paid some attention to what was going on when I puled my key out and I would say that the ramp drive collar on the back of the lock cylinder is what releases the lock as the key is pulled out. You can actually feel the drag and notice the pressure and how things move so very good chance that the problem might very well be in the lock cylinder itself. Either way though it should be fairly obvious when you pull the lock cylinder if you haven't yet.

[andrewwynn]

Some new cars don't lock the steering. If you don't live in a city such as San Fransisco where it's important to have the wheel drive into the curb you could remove the parts that are jamming related to the key/steering lock


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[Auto Parts Guy]

I just wanted to give an update on my issue. I finally picked up a used column from an e39 and removed the ignition housing from it last night. I've been driving around with the valet key in the ignition for the last 8 or 9 months.. And keep in mind you can't lock the doors with the key in the ignition.

Those bolts holding the ignition housing together were a bear but I finally got them off. Now I need to remove the one from my X5, the one in the pics is the one I disassembled from the donor car. I also practiced removing the ignition cylinder so I should have that down now. I'll update this thread whenever I get it installed to the X5. Pretty sure it will fix my issue.

That piece in the center of the housing definitely locks the steering column, I'm not exactly sure how all of that is connected to the key cylinder though. Way over complicated..

[Auto Parts Guy]

So I got it back together and so far it's fixed. I was also able to reproduce the issue with the old housing and the donor tumbler. So this makes me feel good for now.

It looks like that little small round piece with the red arrow doesnt retract like it should which prevents the column from locking, which prevents the key from going in the ignition tumbler. As soon as I push that piece over, key goes in like its supposed to. So technically I could have just replaced that thing circled in yellow in that first pic and it would have fixed it, but you still have to remove the housing.

So if your key won't go in and column won't lock, it's that piece in the center of the housing (circled).

If your key won't come out, check the cable going to the back of the housing (other end goes to shifter).

In order to get the spacer and snap ring back in, I had to get clever with a ratchet strap.

A couple M8 x 1.25 bolts about 16mm -20mm long work as replacements for the housing bolts. Allen head machine bolts would be best since theres not much room to get a socket on hex bolts. But i used a hex head with a small washer so it can be done.

In order to swap tumblers, a Bobby pin works great, ignition must be in position 2. There are YT videos of that. Maybe this helps someone else!