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Tue Aug 26, 2025 12:43 pm

Hi Folks,

I'm wondering if anybody has tried using their original OG tumbler section and fitted it into the Wolfsburg West Ignition Switch.

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111905803G

I have an SU key and tumbler and Id like to use it especially to keep the original key set that came with the car.
Does the Wolfsburg switch tumbler section come apart similar to an original ?

Thanks,
Thom

Tue Aug 26, 2025 1:59 pm

Contact: Gabvwkey. If it can be done, he’s done it.

Tue Aug 26, 2025 2:11 pm

tasb wrote: Contact: Gabvwkey. If it can be done, he’s done it.

Or even call or email WW. I've found that they are pretty responsive and knowledgeable about the stuff they sell.

Tue Aug 26, 2025 6:24 pm

I will give WW a call. Thought I'd ask to see if anybody really tried such a swap. Thanks for the comments !
Cheers

Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:23 pm

I had a NOS set of keys that I had steelerbus key an ignition switch for me. works well.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1285000

Casey

Wed Aug 27, 2025 2:33 am

When I purchased my bug it had an aftermarket ignition in it so I bought a cheap vw ignition to have the key basically. After putting the vw ign. in , it crapped out and started smoking after about a month. So I took both the vw ign. key and the ign. that was in my car when I bought and switched around . I don't have photos of how I did it but the swap is fairly simple to do. I ended up buying some new ignitions from rock auto.(link below) At the time they were only 12 dollars each so I bought a couple just to have. If I remember correctly there is a little ring that comes off the end where the wires hook up in the middle.(this was probably 5 years ago) There may have been a snap ring too. I found a photo in my gallery here
In the photo I used that triangle file to make a new key after tracing with a sharpie.

I still have the original vw ign. somewhere that started smoking. I put the aftermarket key set in it and thru it in a box somewhere. If I can find it I'll take back apart and include some photos.
Edit... So I found the old switch & it took about 5 minutes to take apart. Turns out the only thing holding is the little ring clamp . You'll need a small screwdriver to disassemble. Once the ring is out the key and the guts fell right out. The rest is self explainable.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/volkswagen,196...witch,4700

Wed Aug 27, 2025 5:07 am

One more edit... There is also a washer under the ring clip that holds the key set in. You don't want to lose that. The ring is difficult to get started back in so I used an old piece of clear hose that was hardened. Then used a dremel to make it a little bigger. Photos of what a new one looks like , same as the old...

Wed Aug 27, 2025 7:57 am

Thomas, thanks for the info. I understand how the tumbler comes off or out of the switch body. My interest on the WW version is in their discription it states that theirs has the key oriented properly. Ive bought a cheaper switch but discovered the key set is oriented oddly and not like an original.

Wed Aug 27, 2025 1:45 pm

Just a FYI for anybody following. I called Wolfsburg West Tech Line and asked if an OG tumbler could be fitted into their switch. He mumbled a bit but ended up saying he believed the internals of their switch is different and it wouldn't fit.
To be honest, I didn't come away with a lot of confidence in his response.
I guess I'll take Casey's advise and give Steelerbus a call for a complete working switch having my key code.