06 CH Langer ignition barrel issues

For the last few months it's become harder to start my car, it feels like it is physically something to do with the ignition barrel - you have to push the key right in and turn the key. Sometimes you have to push and angle the key and turn at the same time.

I had a quick look before I sent it off to get some smash damage repairs done, and I could not see much, the barrel seemed to move a bit, but northing else.

Any thoughts on this and what I will need to get done when I get the car back? Am I looking at a complete barrel/ecu setup or such, or is this something an auto electrician could sort (or myself?).

Cheers.
 
One of the causes of this is using the key in the ignition attached to a big bunch of keys, this can cause premature wear on the lock/barrel and key itself, better way to go is to attach single key to main bunch of keys with quick release than just use single key to start car.
Of course keys, locks, tumblers do wear out over time depending upon amount of use, weighted bunch of keys and time all take there toll on the switch assembly.

First off pull apart steering column and make sure nothing is loose with the assembly, second thing is to attempt to lubricate the key, barrel and tumblers, don't use wd40 or any type of wet lubricant as it will overtime attract more gunk into the assembly, instead use a graphite dry powder sparingly or a graphite lube tdry aerosol can, you don't need much, see if that helps.

If that fails then the problem might be a worn out ignition switch, not expensive about $20-$30 on eBay, you will know after you lube the key and barrel assembly if it still has the same stiffness or not, this is the switch below.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=945405

Mitsubishi Oem part number mn113754

Of course if that doesn't fix the dramas then you will need to replace barrel key assembly.

I don't think on a low klm car that it should be worn out in barrel and key pin assembly, depends on number of times you start the car , key weight , if you bent key slightly over time, as opposed to klms travelled.
 
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you mean its hard to turn the key or when you turn the key the starter/similar doesn't engage?

if its the key itself being hard to turn i would remove the barrel clean, lubricate and try again.

its quite easy to get the barrel out, once you have your steering shroud off, turn the key to accessories and there is a button you need to press with a pick/similar and the whole barrel will slide out.

if your having trouble getting the barrel out let me know and i will explain in more detail.
 
I have this problem as well.
I put the key in, it feels fine going in. Doesn't get stuck at all.
Then you turn all the way to start, and it just never gets there to start the engine.
I noticed a long time ago, that the barrel seemed to feel like it was turning clockwise, and you had to push the key further and further around to start the car.
This was a slow process, and eventually, it got to the point where it would start sometimes, and wouldn't others.
I just bought a $6 ebay start button, and installed it on the circuit to start the car.
So I now turn to on, and push the button, and all go.
But I wouldn't mind fixing it.

Aazn - you mentioned something abouit pushing a button and the barrel slides right out?
How do I get a new barrel to match my key? Or do I get a new barrel, key, boot lock and full door lock to match.....surely not?
 
Yes if you changed the barrel you would need to re barrel the whole car.

But your symptoms don't sound like barrel. It sounds like the plug behind the barrel under the steering shroud.
 
One of the causes of this is using the key in the ignition attached to a big bunch of keys, this can cause premature wear on the lock/barrel and key itself, better way to go is to attach single key to main bunch of keys with quick release than just use single key to start car.
Of course keys, locks, tumblers do wear out over time depending upon amount of use, weighted bunch of keys and time all take there toll on the switch assembly.

First off pull apart steering column and make sure nothing is loose with the assembly, second thing is to attempt to lubricate the key, barrel and tumblers, don't use wd40 or any type of wet lubricant as it will overtime attract more gunk into the assembly, instead use a graphite dry powder sparingly or a graphite lube tdry aerosol can, you don't need much, see if that helps.

If that fails then the problem might be a worn out ignition switch, not expensive about $20-$30 on eBay, you will know after you lube the key and barrel assembly if it still has the same stiffness or not, this is the switch below.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=945405

Mitsubishi Oem part number mn113754

Of course if that doesn't fix the dramas then you will need to replace barrel key assembly.

I don't think on a low klm car that it should be worn out in barrel and key pin assembly, depends on number of times you start the car , key weight , if you bent key slightly over time, as opposed to klms travelled.

Ok, the car is back from repairs!

We have only ever had the house key and the car key on the keys, but I can't say what the last owner did. When this first started happening I pulled off the shroud and had a look and nothing looked amiss, but I will pull it off again and remove it and give it a clean etc. Where is the best place to get the graphite lube?

you mean its hard to turn the key or when you turn the key the starter/similar doesn't engage?

if its the key itself being hard to turn i would remove the barrel clean, lubricate and try again.

its quite easy to get the barrel out, once you have your steering shroud off, turn the key to accessories and there is a button you need to press with a pick/similar and the whole barrel will slide out.

if your having trouble getting the barrel out let me know and i will explain in more detail.

The key itself is not hard to turn, it's just that sometimes to start you really need to push it right up into the barrel and turn. I think I should be able to get the barrel out, I'll Pm you if I have any issues.

Fingers crossed!
 
Ok, so update - I pulled the barrel out and gave it a good clean and lube with graphite powder (god that stuff can make a mess...) and it's a lot better. The actually part you put the key in moves inwards a bit but you don't have to push it in hard or force it to get it started.

So, at this stage I'll call it fixed. The wife drives this car all the time, I only drive it occasionally so I am sure she will elt me know if it starts to play up again!

Thanks for all of your help as usual!
 
Ok, so update - I pulled the barrel out and gave it a good clean and lube with graphite powder (god that stuff can make a mess...) and it's a lot better. The actually part you put the key in moves inwards a bit but you don't have to push it in hard or force it to get it started.

So, at this stage I'll call it fixed. The wife drives this car all the time, I only drive it occasionally so I am sure she will elt me know if it starts to play up again!

Thanks for all of your help as usual!
Do you still have the car? I just purchased an 06 ch and it is having the same problem. Did this solve the problem in the long run or did it require more work?
 
Do you still have the car? I just purchased an 06 ch and it is having the same problem. Did this solve the problem in the long run or did it require more work?
Just need to buy a new ignition switch Repco sells them, easy and takes about half hour to do
 
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