Key wouldn't turn

[UKBasque]

Just searched for the thread I started a couple of weeks ago, about the fact my key wouldn't turn in the ignition and it was off to the dealer to be repaired. Must have got wiped in the downtime on the server last week.

Anyway, turned out the dealer had to replace the igniton block and column - it had completely seized up. They had never seen it before and had no idea what had gone wrong - reassuring (not). They also replaced the key that I had managed to break - either it's a soft compound or I've got strong fingers!

Got the bike back yesterday and everything is fine (for now!)

Anyone else had this problem?

 

[BRRT]

YES I've had exactly same problem couple of months ago.

For a couple of weeks the lock didn't work properly, but after a few tries it always worked (certainly not good for a new bike!).
Except for this one day when I was in a hurry.

I could put the key in, but couldn't turn it. I knew right away it was ed.
Dealer had to come and pick it up.

It took them more then a week to repair the thing.
Strange thing was when they finally had the old one out it seemed to work perfectly..., still they replaced it for a new one.

Bart

 

[The Machine Cat]

it happened to me too, and it is a known issue by BMW. If the "blade part" at the tip of the key is bended or indented, you can kiss your key goodbye.

 

[UKBasque]

Funny how you say it's a known issue by BMW, because it was a new one on the dealer.

Makes me think how much information is disseminated by BMW central across the dealer network and across countries - by the sounds of it, not much.

I have learnt a lot from my dealer but they have learn a lot from me - stuff I have picked up off this board. Every time I'm in there, they want to know what "ze engleesh" are saying now - I told them to check the bottom yoke pince bolts and they are checking everybodys that come in - though they won't tell me how many they find loose! The junior mechanic was talking to me about top cases and we were discussing the diff. between the new and the old BMW design - he wasn't aware that absolutely loads of the old ones had cracked underneath and that's why they had changed the design.

Perhaps, looking in here should be compulsory training for the dealers - or maybe it is!

 

[beemerman]

With BMW dealers it is always a new problem. This keeps the punters happy and does`nt spread the word that they are having problems. i had a 3 series car a few years back that was recalled due to a plastic linkage on the brake pedal failing!. It was quietly `dealt with`. If it had been any other manufacturer it would have been headline news in the motoring press.

 

[d.d.d]

Mine started doing it...

... but I decided to try a little graphite powder before I take it to the dealer. It seems to make a difference, but it still isn't working smoothly. I'll give it another couple of days, it'll either get better or get worse.

 

[marcus]

I can pull the key straight out of the ignition and the bike keeps running . . . .

currently under investigation!

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Mine went AWOL. They said it wasn't the barrel but the bit underneath?

Done under warrantee so they could blather as much as they liked.