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Ignition replacement
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jsmag8
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:41 pm    Post subject: Ignition replacement Reply with quote

Sorry if this is a repost of sorts- but I can't seem to find anything.

I bought this 1974 super beetle as a barn find and it didn't come with a proper key for the ignition. I need to replace the ignition so I can use it and here comes the problem: the wheel is locked in place and from what I understand you need to turn the ignition in order to retract the pin that holds the wheel locked.

Whats the best way to achieve this? I heard drilling- can anyone walk me through that a little?

Any and all help is much appreciated! Very Happy
Jared
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Eric&Barb
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Originally your VW would have had one key for all the locks. Now many decades later the ignition could have been changed, but it would not hurt to try removing the driver exterior door handle and getting a key made for it at a real key shop.
One of two things will happen:

1. Turns out the ignition was changed, but at least you have the key for the doors.

2. Ignition was not changed, so you can now have fun.
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Joel
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 3:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You forgot the 3rd option which does happen a bit.

Somewhere in the last 40 years the door handle got broken and a used one fitted but with the originals key barrel so the code no longer means anything.

Jared you can pop the ignition barrel out even with no key and the steering locked it is just fiddlier.

Lock a pair of vicegrips onto the collar around it, have soneone rock the steering wheel whole you push some wire in on the release tab while pulling the barrel outwards.

Once its out either get a new key cut off the code or buy another one.
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jsmag8
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Eric&Barb wrote:
Originally your VW would have had one key for all the locks. Now many decades later the ignition could have been changed, but it would not hurt to try removing the driver exterior door handle and getting a key made for it at a real key shop.
One of two things will happen:

1. Turns out the ignition was changed, but at least you have the key for the doors.

2. Ignition was not changed, so you can now have fun.


In my haste to post this before I had to leave, I completely forgot to mention that I had taken a handle to my local locksmith. I now have 2 keys for the doors Very Happy but they don't work in the ignition. Sound advice, but I guess my handles have been replaced. Or the ignition has, either or.
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jsmag8
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joel wrote:
You forgot the 3rd option which does happen a bit.

Somewhere in the last 40 years the door handle got broken and a used one fitted but with the originals key barrel so the code no longer means anything.

Jared you can pop the ignition barrel out even with no key and the steering locked it is just fiddlier.

Lock a pair of vicegrips onto the collar around it, have soneone rock the steering wheel whole you push some wire in on the release tab while pulling the barrel outwards.

Once its out either get a new key cut off the code or buy another one.


Hmm you've definitely got my attention. I love anything with vice grips Razz could you maybe just elaborate a tad bit more on this method? Where am I pushing wire and what would you consider the collar? Thanks a bunch!
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Joel
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just mean the collar around the ignition barrel.
The 74 onwards ones have a black plastic cover over which vice grips would mess up, it just pops off with a little prying.

In line with the key in the off position is a small hole, you push in this hole (red arrow) with something like a piece of fencing wire to release the key barrel.

The vice grips will give you something to pull it out with.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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ashman40
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is also a very detailed write up here on how to remove the ignition switch assembly. It includes where to drill the hole in case your housing does not have a hole to release the lock cylinder.
http://www.vw-resource.com/ignition_switch_replacement.html
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Weezle
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 6:06 am    Post subject: hole Reply with quote

I had to use a dremel to sort of route out an oblong hole where there was none in order to get mine out.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


then I could actually use a small flat blade screwdriver to eject it.
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jlex
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 6:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hope you don't have to do any drilling.... my '70 needed the lock replaced last spring. No amount of drilling would expose the release tab. Turns out, when the cylinder was installed, the tab was placed at an inaccessible 12:00 position. Had to eventually take a drill to the cylinder itself, then saw the sides from the inside so it could collapse in on itself before it could be removed. What a hassle...
Yours is a slightly different style, so hopefully it has the access hole already drilled. Have fun.
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jsmag8
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joel wrote:
I just mean the collar around the ignition barrel.
The 74 onwards ones have a black plastic cover over which vice grips would mess up, it just pops off with a little prying.

In line with the key in the off position is a small hole, you push in this hole (red arrow) with something like a piece of fencing wire to release the key barrel.

The vice grips will give you something to pull it out with.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Thank you so much to anyone who participated in this form. Got the ignition out today – mine had a little hole in it not quite like the pictures posted above a little different. Popped a nail into it and was able to get it out with my hands. I can post pictures later if anyone would like to see.

The samba is awesome! Thanks so much for the help, I truly appreciate it.
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