Other 70 Problem: - Ignition Lock Sticking

myfirstv70 · Sep 1st, 2010, 07:12

A couple of days ago tried to start the car (53 plate, V70, D5) but the Ignition key would not rotate far enough to engage the starter........bugger! Eventually coaxed the key to rotate, albeit very stiffly and the engine fired up. Obviously, in this condition, either the key or lock would fail imminently. Spoke to my local dealers in Lincoln (John Darke); they were very helpful - however it was looking like a £300 problem to get the ignition barrel bespoke made at Volvo and fitted at the dealers. The barrel was around £180, the remainder being fitting. I stripped the covers around the steering column and could see the barrel is retained by shear (anti-theft) bolts which are absolute pigs to get out, as you might expect! As I was having difficulty spending £300just to be able to turn the key again I had another thorough look. I stripped the electrical contact mechanism that bolted to the left hand end of the barrel and gave the lock a good squirt of WD40...........hey presto! The key now turns as easily as ever! Whether this fix will last I don't know but for now I'm £300 better off than I expected.

The moral of the story - it's always worth a go having a tinker before spending your hard-earned cash!

Nobby

stevejb · Dec 11th, 2011, 18:46

I've encounted the same problem with my V70 this weekend (04 D5 geartronic), cant get key to turn past position I on the ignition. Will try what you did tomorrow and hope this works, many thanks.

myfirstv70 · Dec 12th, 2011, 06:11

It's still working fine 15 months later!.........just remember to take the electrical contactors and position sensor off each end of the lock so you dont flood it with WD40, oh yes and catch it in a rag or the car will pong for ages!! From memory one of our American friends suggested using a graphite type spray which I think would probably be the better solution but from a 'sample of one' WD40 seems to work. Best of luck,
Nobby, Lincoln

skip0ot2mus · Jan 17th, 2012, 21:01

Ahh, just had this, wouldn't go past Position 1 on the barrel, I tried lubing it up to no avail, I will try again in the morning when the light returns!

keithC70 · Feb 13th, 2012, 11:38

I had the same problem this morning - well my wife did - and my car was blocked in by hers!

I tried liberal spraying of WD40 into the keyhole but no luck - the key just wouldn't go past position 1 whatever I did.

Quick search on the forum and I soon got it going letting off the adjustment lever on the left of the steering wheel, pulling the wheel out as far as possible, and then banging the wheel up and down whilst trying to turn the key. It's not easy but great "get you home" trick.

Having done more reading I found a post from a guy who got his going using thick oil. He'd tried WD40 and it didn't work!

I got out the oil can and applied oil to both sides of the key, repeatedly putting it in and out to work as much in there as possible. After about 10 times it's now working perfectly again, and with no need to undo anything!

Let's hope it lasts!

Brendan W · Feb 13th, 2012, 12:07

Oil is not ideal in locks - it tends to hold on to grit. WD-40 is a good water dispersant but I don't like it for locks. It seems to accelerate corrosion and damages certain kinds of rubber and plastic. When the humour takes me I load up the key with graphite powder filed from a pencil lead and slip it in the lock. If the barrell is stuck it's too late for the powder and I use sewing machine or hair clipper oil.

princepugh · Feb 13th, 2012, 16:38

Had the same problem on my V70 a few years back, would not budge - a small amount of WD sorted it and its been fine ever since. Its a fine balance between a quick fix and longer term reliability.

Then again, WD has fixed many oddities on my V70 over the years and is currently preventing my motorbike turning to brown dust! :-)

Paul Wildsmith · Feb 13th, 2012, 18:34

had something similar on the wife's S70 years ago - ended up fitting a push button starter on the dash!

S60-MBS · Feb 13th, 2012, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan W

Oil is not ideal in locks - it tends to hold on to grit. WD-40 is a good water dispersant but I don't like it for locks. It seems to accelerate corrosion and damages certain kinds of rubber and plastic. When the humour takes me I load up the key with graphite powder filed from a pencil lead and slip it in the lock. If the barrell is stuck it's too late for the powder and I use sewing machine or hair clipper oil.

Graphite pencils work a treat on lubing locks, just scratch a pencil on key few times and insert key into lock. Then jiggle key few times to get the graphite onto the lock internals and away you go, no WD40 drips or pong.

Merckenzie · Feb 14th, 2012, 21:15

Also, if your car is auto or Geartronic, check it is properly in Park.
Even cheaper than 2cc of WD.

Sep 1st, 2010, 07:12	#1
myfirstv70 Senior Member Last Online: May 26th, 2024 07:36 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lincoln	Ignition Lock Sticking A couple of days ago tried to start the car (53 plate, V70, D5) but the Ignition key would not rotate far enough to engage the starter........bugger! Eventually coaxed the key to rotate, albeit very stiffly and the engine fired up. Obviously, in this condition, either the key or lock would fail imminently. Spoke to my local dealers in Lincoln (John Darke); they were very helpful - however it was looking like a £300 problem to get the ignition barrel bespoke made at Volvo and fitted at the dealers. The barrel was around £180, the remainder being fitting. I stripped the covers around the steering column and could see the barrel is retained by shear (anti-theft) bolts which are absolute pigs to get out, as you might expect! As I was having difficulty spending £300just to be able to turn the key again I had another thorough look. I stripped the electrical contact mechanism that bolted to the left hand end of the barrel and gave the lock a good squirt of WD40...........hey presto! The key now turns as easily as ever! Whether this fix will last I don't know but for now I'm £300 better off than I expected. The moral of the story - it's always worth a go having a tinker before spending your hard-earned cash! Nobby

Dec 11th, 2011, 18:46	#2
stevejb New Member Last Online: Aug 24th, 2012 10:57 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wiltshire	Ignition lock sticking I've encounted the same problem with my V70 this weekend (04 D5 geartronic), cant get key to turn past position I on the ignition. Will try what you did tomorrow and hope this works, many thanks.

Feb 13th, 2012, 11:38	#5
keithC70 Senior Member Last Online: May 23rd, 2024 21:22 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Andover	Key won't turn past position 1 I had the same problem this morning - well my wife did - and my car was blocked in by hers! I tried liberal spraying of WD40 into the keyhole but no luck - the key just wouldn't go past position 1 whatever I did. Quick search on the forum and I soon got it going letting off the adjustment lever on the left of the steering wheel, pulling the wheel out as far as possible, and then banging the wheel up and down whilst trying to turn the key. It's not easy but great "get you home" trick. Having done more reading I found a post from a guy who got his going using thick oil. He'd tried WD40 and it didn't work! I got out the oil can and applied oil to both sides of the key, repeatedly putting it in and out to work as much in there as possible. After about 10 times it's now working perfectly again, and with no need to undo anything! Let's hope it lasts! __________________ 2013 S60 D5 Lux Nav Auto 2016 V70 SE Lux D4 Auto 33k

Feb 13th, 2012, 18:34	#8
Paul Wildsmith Register Keeper Last Online: Yesterday 18:43 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bristol	had something similar on the wife's S70 years ago - ended up fitting a push button starter on the dash! __________________ Paul VOC 90's SPARK

Dec 12th, 2011, 06:11	#3
myfirstv70 Senior Member Last Online: May 26th, 2024 07:36 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lincoln	It's still working fine 15 months later!.........just remember to take the electrical contactors and position sensor off each end of the lock so you dont flood it with WD40, oh yes and catch it in a rag or the car will pong for ages!! From memory one of our American friends suggested using a graphite type spray which I think would probably be the better solution but from a 'sample of one' WD40 seems to work. Best of luck, Nobby, Lincoln

Jan 17th, 2012, 21:01	#4
skip0ot2mus Junior Member Last Online: Oct 21st, 2014 13:22 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South	Ahh, just had this, wouldn't go past Position 1 on the barrel, I tried lubing it up to no avail, I will try again in the morning when the light returns!

Feb 13th, 2012, 12:07	#6
Brendan W Premier Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2024 19:50 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wexford	Oil is not ideal in locks - it tends to hold on to grit. WD-40 is a good water dispersant but I don't like it for locks. It seems to accelerate corrosion and damages certain kinds of rubber and plastic. When the humour takes me I load up the key with graphite powder filed from a pencil lead and slip it in the lock. If the barrell is stuck it's too late for the powder and I use sewing machine or hair clipper oil.

Feb 13th, 2012, 16:38	#7
princepugh Senior Member Last Online: May 29th, 2013 23:24 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sheffield	Had the same problem on my V70 a few years back, would not budge - a small amount of WD sorted it and its been fine ever since. Its a fine balance between a quick fix and longer term reliability. Then again, WD has fixed many oddities on my V70 over the years and is currently preventing my motorbike turning to brown dust! :-)

Feb 14th, 2012, 21:15	#10
Merckenzie New Member Last Online: Sep 4th, 2012 21:40 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cullompton	Also, if your car is auto or Geartronic, check it is properly in Park. Even cheaper than 2cc of WD.

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