Ignition Switch

[muppyvw]

Greetings, folks

I've searched and searched for the answer, so I am posting here. Hope this isn't somehow redundant. I'm trying to install an ignition switch on a 1984 533i and I cannot for the life of me get it to sink into the barrel under the steering column. The Bently hilariously says that "It's easily done by removing the lower kick panel and lower steering wheel column, but it does not provide much clearance at all. It provides access. Not clearance.

I've found write-ups that talk about removal, but does anyone have advice on getting the thing back into place?

[Mike W.]

OK, you're talking the switch itself, with wires coming out of it, right? Just asking because many have gotten the lock and switch confused.

Anyway, assuming it is, and you have the old one out, it does just go in. OK, just might be an understatement, it and the wires are tight, but no special tricks other than perseverance and patience. It will have to be aligned to go all the way in to mate with the output of the ignition lock and the grub screw, but the hard part is getting it started into the barrel.

[Shawn D.]

It's hard to say what exactly you're encountering, but on the switch (not the lock tumbler), there's a tab that holds the plastic body of the switch to the tumbler, with a fastener in the center of the tab. If the fastener is still in place, the tab will be out of place or not be able to mate with the tumbler.

[Mike W.]

It's hard to say what exactly you're encountering, but on the switch (not the lock tumbler), there's a tab that holds the plastic body of the switch to the tumbler, with a fastener in the center of the tab. If the fastener is still in place, the tab will be out of place or not be able to mate with the tumbler.

I suspect you're referring to the late switch, which started in '86 I believe. A 533 would have the early one with no such tab that I recall. Mostly just a round housing held in place with a grub screw.