Key ignition really hard to turn?

**Valve_Cover** · 07-09-2016 09:16 AM

Hey guys, just wondering if this is a problem others have run into...

I have a hard time turning the key in the ignition lock (2008 B7 manual). Tried with both keys and its the same. I've seen this in older VW's and the ignition cylinder was the culprit. Is this an issue that you guys have seen on B7's? I can't seem to find anything regarding this in the wiki.

Thanks for any help guys

*Update for those interested

I talked to a buddy of mine who is a VW mechanic. He says VW's and Audi's have this as a common problem. Two things can cause this, which are the following:

The ignition cylinder itself, which gets worn out and makes turning the key hard (not lube related). Cost of replacement is fairly cheap

The ignition switch (mechanical portion) which is on the end of the lock cylinder, which also wears and eventually becomes defective. Cost: quite expensive (few hundred bucks)

He says that in about 20% of cases it's the ignition cylinder and in 80% of cases it's the ignition switch behind the cylinder. I've ordered the cylinder just because it's a cheap first step. If it doesn't resolve my issue i'll look into changing the ignition switch and keep you guys posted

**Okedokey** · 07-09-2016 11:30 AM

Sounds like it to me. When you say hard to turn, like it will turn with high resistance, or locked like when the steering wheel needs turning a little?

**Valve_Cover** · 07-09-2016 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Okedokey

Sounds like it to me. When you say hard to turn, like it will turn with high resistance, or locked like when the steering wheel needs turning a little?

It isn't related to the steering wheel lock. The key just won't turn the ignition switch, like if it wasn't the correct key, and after a few tries, it just turns freely like it should

**kTaLgsTo** · 07-09-2016 04:00 PM

Mine does this some times, I'm worried I'm gonna break it so I just keep trying real genital like and stroke the steering wheel a little. Usually it comes around

**Valve_Cover** · 07-09-2016 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by kTaLgsTo

Mine does this some times, I'm worried I'm gonna break it so I just keep trying real genital like and stroke the steering wheel a little. Usually it comes around

Yea my concern is that one day it just won't turn at all...

**onedumslack** · 07-09-2016 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by kTaLgsTo

real genital like and stroke the steering wheel a little. Usually it comes around

Auto correct win.

**adam044** · 07-09-2016 05:57 PM

I was gonna say steering wheel lock

**Denio24** · 07-09-2016 09:19 PM

Sounds like an issue with the pin tumblers preventing the plug from turning. I had an old saab 9-5 (notorious for being quirky & problematic) that I had to take apart the ignition lock and file down the wafer pins so the plug could turn freely in the outer shell. I don't know how the audi locks are designed but it may be the same concept; the pin tumblers are sticking out a little bit preventing the ignition from turning. I'm surprised no one has mentioned this.

**allstock** · 07-09-2016 10:45 PM

Not sure if it's a complete malfunction your dealing with or just the nature of the locking mechanism. It's normal to have to nudge the steering wheel a little to allow the lock cylinder to turn. Personally I make sure I don't engage the steering wheel lock when exiting the car by using it a post to grab when I get up. If you're a fat ass you most likely will and rotate the wheel just enough to engage the locking mechanism every time.

**adam044** · 07-10-2016 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by Denio24

Sounds like an issue with the pin tumblers preventing the plug from turning. I had an old saab 9-5 (notorious for being quirky & problematic) that I had to take apart the ignition lock and file down the wafer pins so the plug could turn freely in the outer shell. I don't know how the audi locks are designed but it may be the same concept; the pin tumblers are sticking out a little bit preventing the ignition from turning. I'm surprised no one has mentioned this.

Hey another Saab guy!

**Okedokey** · 07-10-2016 12:54 AM

Try spraying some Inox in the lock. http://www.ebay.com/itm/INOX-MX3-Spr...-/320645925953

Best stuff on the market imho

**Guig'z** · 07-10-2016 01:44 PM

It's the key cylinder. Call your audi dealer, order a new one. There is a hole in the key cylinder, put a metal pin in it, it will remove it, put the new one in and voila!

Did it on a friends B7.

**doughboy17** · 07-11-2016 09:40 AM

Put some powdered graphite on the key and in the ignition hole ... and make sure to move the steering wheel back and forth when attempting to turn the key.

**miA4** · 07-11-2016 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Okedokey

Try spraying some Inox in the lock. http://www.ebay.com/itm/INOX-MX3-Spr...-/320645925953

Best stuff on the market imho

you can spray it in the lock or you can spray some on the key itself and insert and remove the key a bunch of times. make sure to clean the key every so often so that you remove all of the dirt and gunk that is built up inside of the switch and the pins.

**JayTeeC** · 08-09-2016 12:50 PM

Any solve to this?? I have the same problem. Exactly. Have for years actually. I replaced the ignition lock cylinder and the problem persisted. Feels just like the steering wheel lock is on, but its NOT. Then, after enough tries and jiggles, it just turns like it should. When it does turn as it should, it feels totally normal, and not like its tight or needs lubed. And, its much worse when its HOT out... the longer my car sits in the sun with windows up, the harder it is for the key to turn.

**b7_Andy** · 08-09-2016 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by JayTeeC

Any solve to this?? I have the same problem. Exactly. Have for years actually. I replaced the ignition lock cylinder and the problem persisted. Feels just like the steering wheel lock is on, but its NOT. Then, after enough tries and jiggles, it just turns like it should. When it does turn as it should, it feels totally normal, and not like its tight or needs lubed. And, its much worse when its HOT out... the longer my car sits in the sun with windows up, the harder it is for the key to turn.

My B7 does the same thing. I just forgot about it and kind of ignore it

**JayTeeC** · 08-09-2016 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by b7_Andy

My B7 does the same thing. I just forgot about it and kind of ignore it

Yep, me too. For 3 years! But i'm thinking of selling it, and would rather fix it than explain it to a buyer.

**pezgoon** · 08-10-2016 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by adam044

Hey another Saab guy!

I had a 2001 Saab 9-5 as my first car!

Try graphite as stated above, I had a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 which had the same issue, obviously more exposed to the elements, but I had the lock not turn at all while I was an hour and a half from home! Couldnt start the bike! Once I put graphite in it I never had trouble again, dont use too much though! Just enough.

**doughboy17** · 08-10-2016 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by doughboy17

Put some powdered graphite on the key and in the ignition hole ... and make sure to move the steering wheel back and forth when attempting to turn the key.

Although it may seem too simple, it works like magic. For the price, it's worth a try.

**Okedokey** · 08-10-2016 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by doughboy17

Although it may seem too simple, it works like magic. For the price, it's worth a try.

Dont use graphite on electronic locks, it can conduct. Innox is a much better option.

**Valve_Cover** · 08-12-2016 04:14 PM

*Update for those interested

I talked to a buddy of mine who is a VW mechanic. He says VW's and Audi's have this as a common problem. Two things can cause this, which are the following:

The ignition cylinder itself, which gets worn out and makes turning the key hard (not lube related). Cost of replacement is fairly cheap

The ignition switch (mechanical portion) which is on the end of the lock cylinder, which also wears and eventually becomes defective. Cost: quite expensive (few hundred bucks)

He says that in about 20% of cases it's the ignition cylinder and in 80% of cases it's the ignition switch behind the cylinder. I've ordered the cylinder just because it's a cheap first step. If it doesn't resolve my issue i'll look into changing the ignition switch and keep you guys posted

**JayTeeC** · 08-17-2016 10:51 AM

Great info, Thanks. I agree, for a few reasons. I bought my car at 43k miles and it was doing it at that time. Definitely sounds like a known issue (failure) and not just simply wear or lube. I had local stealership replace the lock cylinder. Did not fix the problem. The only other part that turns with the key is the ignition switch, which your buddy says is responsible 80% of the time. Probably the case with me. Does not feel like a lubrication issue - its very random and sporadic. Sometimes it turns perfectly. If it needed lube, it would resist turning nearly all the time. Even when my key wont turn, when it finally DOES turn, it turns perfectly. There is something not aligned correctly.

**tommyp603** · 05-06-2020 07:12 AM

Did you ever find out the issue with it? Mine does the same thing. Longer it sits in the sun the worse it gets. A cool day though 0 issues.

**tommyp603** · 05-06-2020 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by JayTeeC

Any solve to this?? I have the same problem. Exactly. Have for years actually. I replaced the ignition lock cylinder and the problem persisted. Feels just like the steering wheel lock is on, but its NOT. Then, after enough tries and jiggles, it just turns like it should. When it does turn as it should, it feels totally normal, and not like its tight or needs lubed. And, its much worse when its HOT out... the longer my car sits in the sun with windows up, the harder it is for the key to turn.

Did you ever fix the issue? mY car does the same thing when its hot out. On a cool day 0 issues