Expert: Sean Halliday - 4/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: The key is stuck in my 528i 97 BMW. It will turn forward and start the engine and turn back far enough to shut the engine off and turn off the displays but will not turn far enough back to lock the steeing column and be removed from the ignition.  So far I have had a new ignition housing installed and that didn't work so I went to the dealer and had a new tumbler and key made for the car which was not cheap and that did not help.  The key will operate the tumbler and can be removed easly when the tumbler is out of the steeing column but when it is installed back into the housing the problem remains.  I was told by an on line "just ask" person that I had recieved a defective "Bulk Head" as he called it, which I assume was the ignition switch housing.  I ask him how the "Bulk Head" worked and how I could tell if it was defective or not. He did not answer my question only to repeat that I have a defective part.  I replied and told him if I layed out another $75 for the part and another $250 to put it on and it still didn't work would he pick up the tab. I haven't heard any further.
ANSWER: You have got a problem for sure.Its rare for this to happen so often especially on a BMW.Faulty bulkhead?..never heard of it.Your problem may be in the pedal /shift cable that locks /unlocks the key combo when you start or stop the car.Most cars when they are in gear the key will not come out for safety reasons so im thinking this is your problem.You will need to remove the housing around the key and check this cable is working.If not you can disengage it your self and the key should  come out.Then its another matter to replace the faulty cable which runs to the shifter.You can see if its working by removing the consol by the gear shift and moving the arm through the gears from park to neutral etc and see what the key does then,while keeping the engine off and your foot on the brake pushing the brake pedal in and out slowly.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I certainly appreciate the time taken to answer my question. You mentioned the cable not allowing the key to turn to the release position.  My mechanic had all the housing area open (in fact he put a new housing on the column) and looked at the cable and from what he could tell the cable had a small plastic button on the end of it to allow it to contact a little plastic button on the base of the key tumbler so when the key turned it would allow the shifter to be put in gear. He adjusted the cable in and out and with the housing open tried to move the tumbler to the release position but still was not able to make it release the key.  He said, unless there is something he doesn't see or doesn't understand, the cable merely tells the shifter it can be put in gear once the key is turned to the on position.  Other than that it doesn't push or move anything.  Thanking all who view this for any in-put and bits of wisdom to resolve the problem. I can't really afford to shell out more money and still not fix it.  If it was something that some one was sure of and I had not already tried I would be willing to take a chance.  Thanks again
Wayne
ANSWER: Could only be sure by actually looking at the car but if you have changed the barrel twice and same result,then i cant think of any other reason for it to jam.I assume the key is ok?...not worn or bent.There is a way to have it working and its to remove the barrel and try to make it turn all the way while its out of the car.If it works then its something in the streering column.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. Yes I have tried (rather my mechanic) working the key and barrel while out of the housing and they both work fine. The old key is in good condition and I have purchased a brand new key and tumbler or barrel, that is what is in the car now.  What could it be in the steering column?? Would it mean replacing the column?? Or could it be repaired??
Thanking you again,
Wayne

Answer
On the column itself there is a small part which locks the wheel.It involves removing the steering wheel to see if its worn or broken.It may not be the actual column but the inner lock part of the steering lock which is sticking,thats the other part of the lock combination.If you take off the wheel and look closely at the way it works, you will see a small square pin that moves in and out when you turn the key.The wheel also will have segments where the pin engages to lock the wheel so look at these also.Its not a faulty steering column its got to be in the lock mechanism.Something is worn/broken.Be careful with the airbag.