POSTED BY: PAUL  - ADELAIDE - SA - AUS  20 FEB 2009   PROVIDE FEEDBACK

========== ORIGINAL POSTING ==========
"HOLDEN ASTRA TS 2000: ASTRA IGNITION BARREL FIXED ... NO COST! - I have a TS 2000 Astra and the key kept getting jammed. It won’t turn. It happened about two years ago and cost $300 from memory. I have searched /googled every site in the world or so it seems on this problem. Seems there are Many Astra owners with this problem.

Today - fixed it ... and it didn’t cost a penny.

Step 1. Pop off the front top cover immediately behind the steering wheel. The one which the indicator and wipers stalks go through.

Step 2. Get a star (like an allen key) key and undo one screw from underneath, and two on the top sides (Revealed after step 1).

Step 3. Depress the latch on the side of the wiper stalk assy and slide out the whole assy from the slot, towards you.

Step 4. Get a small nail or very small screw driver and poke it into the small hole revealed by removing the wiper assy.

Step 5. Put your key into the gin and while holding the nail in the small hole (pressing inwards) pull the whole barrel assy out. Easy! (There's a small spring loaded 'catch' on the barrel which locks it inside the steering column.

Step 6. Look at the opp end of the barrel to the key and see a small pin which rotates when the key is turned. The last position of this pin, when you remove the key from the barrel is where the problem lies. There's a small 'ramp' inside the barrel which you can see. It will be burred and pitted from use. (and a 'sharp' end on the pin. Steel pin and soft metal barrel)

Step 7. Use a small file to smooth the metal ramp.

Step 8. Rotate the key all the way "on". Depress the Pin in slightly (against a spring) so you can rotate the barrel to the end and the pin will pop out. (Don’t Lose It, or the small spring inside the hole the pin came out of!)

Step 9. File the fat end of the pin to look rounded, not flat. This makes it easier to ride up the ramp and prevent damaging the *hit metal ramp again.

Step 10 Reinstall the pin and rotate the key so the pin can’t fly out.

Step 11. Put a small amt of grease on the pin and work with the key backwards and forwards to ensure it is working OK.

Step 12. Hold the spring catch (Step 5) down with a small screwdriver and reinsert the barrel. It can only go back in One Way! Trail and error will find it!

Step 13. Reverse assemble the stalks, covers etc.

Saved around $140 in parts.

Good luck "
POSTED BY: ROB ADAMS - SYDNEY, NSW - AUS 3 DEC 2007 PROVIDE FEEDBACK

========== REPLY ==========
I have a VY sedan Holden and its doing the same. I had a price to fix it of $220.00. And they said it was not covered under warranty but the car is only 3 years old and still under warranty. I will try your method first thanks.
POSTED BY: JASON - ADELAIDE, SA - AUS 15 DEC 2007

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Thanks Rob, will give this a go. I was gearing myself up to buy a new lock at vast expense! Thanks for the tip and Happy Christmas.

Jon P
POSTED BY: JON PIPPARD - WOY WOY, NSW - AUS 19 DEC 2007

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Thanks Rob we have an Astra Bertone Coupe 2003. Great description every step exactly as you described and it fixed my problem. Caught on Xmas eve with minimal tools and a stressed wife some makeshift tools a leatherman and your post saved the day.

Thanks Heaps
POSTED BY: BRIAN LAWRENCE - AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 25 DEC 2007

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You're a star mate your solution to Astra ignition lock solved my problem with a friends car and made me look good at same time. Only thing now is to get electrical part of the switch as the racv's fix was a hammer which as we all know is not the way to go so thanks man. Help appreciated.
POSTED BY: TREVOR MORRIS - CARRUM DOWNS, VIC - AUS 7 JAN 2008

========== REPLY ==========
Message to Rob Adams - re Holden Astra ignition

Many thanks.

I had something of a battle to actually withdraw the barrel section from the steering column because the pin was worn - but once it was out the remainder of the solution to fix was straight forward and worked first time.
POSTED BY: RICHARD MONS - TRINITY GARDENS, SA - AUS 27 APR 2008

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Hi guys, had a go at this on the weekend with my daughter’s Astra (2000 Olympic) but alas, pulled it all apart but there was no hole on top under wiper stalk. There appears to be a black plastic shroud which is attached to a flat black wiring box. It looks like you can unscrew a ring around the key hole, it has two slots in it, but didn’t want to risk **** it all together. Any advice would be greatfully accepted, it is a pain having to go out in the middle of the night because my daughter can’t get the key out of the lock. Thanks heaps.
POSTED BY: LC2034 - SYDNEY, NSW - AUS 26 MAY 2008

========== REPLY ==========
Thanks Rob, followed your tips and all works ok. The Haynes manual said that I needed to remove the steering wheel, but followed your advice and removal was not necessary. Many Thanks.
POSTED BY: ROD SMITH - TAUNTON SOMERSET, ENGLAND 2 JUN 2008

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Rob, Have the same problem as LC2034. There does not seem to be a pin to push to get the barrel out. Can you give some more details on where to find the pin? Does the main electrical connector have to come off the back? Wish I could post a photo! My wife’s car will not start due to this barrel.
POSTED BY: AJ240 - CANBERRA, ACT - AUS 29 DEC 2008

========== REPLY ==========
Legend! Fixed my wife’s 2001 Astra, just saved me $540.00 at Holden ($390.00 for the switch and $150.00 to fit). Did it in about 3-1/2 hours, doing the same for a friend this week!

Just one important word of advice - disconnect your battery prior to commencing. It will save the car starting accidentally while wrestling with the switch and will avoid the airbag going off in the incidence of an electrical short (serious injury can occur).

Thanks, Glenn
POSTED BY: GLENN - BOX HILL NORTH, VIC - AUS 2 FEB 2009