Starting Problems: Ignition Switch Issue

'Can I fix this myself, since I've read that it requires drilling holes? A mechanic from a VW workshop diagnosed the problem, and he seemed very certain that it was caused by this.'

Do you have any tips for me regarding what I need to replace the ignition switch, etc.? I'm not completely unskilled when it comes to DIY, and I'm not afraid of electricity; I'm studying electrical engineering.

Happy Sunday to you all!
to everyone

Hi,

and what kind of vehicle are we talking about?

Best regards, Andy.

So, it's about a:

Volkswagen Golf 3 TDI Variant, 66 kW, AHU engine.

Hi,

S_Freak wrote:

Is it possible to fix this myself, since I read that it requires drilling something? A mechanic from a VW workshop made the diagnosis, and he was very certain that it was due to that issue. Do you have any tips for me regarding what I need to replace the ignition switch, etc.? I'm not completely unskilled when it comes to DIY, and I'm not afraid of electricity; I'm studying electrical engineering.

Could you please describe in more detail what is wrong with the ignition unit?
If you're referring to the ignition cylinder, you'll need to drill it out. There's an instruction manual for this available from the dealer.
You can easily replace the reading head for the WFS.
You can replace the ignition switch after removing the handlebar lock bracket without having to drill.

Hi,
'Perhaps as an addition:'
Once the ignition switch assembly needs to be removed from the steering column, a good two-jaw puller with a locking mechanism is required to remove the adapter sleeve.

Best regards, Andy.

Okay, the steering wheel definitely needs to be removed, and if there's an airbag attached to it, that's a job for the workshop.

Okay, the steering wheel definitely needs to be removed, and if there's an airbag attached to it, that's a job for the workshop.


[Irony on]
I had forgotten. They have specially shaped tools in the workshops to gently remove the connectors from the airbags.
[End of ironic statement]

Sorry, but everyone should be able to decide that for themselves. Otherwise, someone will come along in the next thread with a defect in a brake cylinder (which is also a safety-critical component), and then it will also be sent to the workshop???
Those who have read the repair manuals know that before disassembling an airbag, you don't recite some nonsensical phrase to appease it.

No offense.

Andy.

Oh, a know-it-all.

Of course, anyone can remove the airbag themselves.
But if someone doesn't know what they're doing, the TNT contained in the airbag could explode and cause serious harm.
Not everyone is as professional as you are.
But since you seem to know so much, you can probably tell me what safety precautions need to be taken in order to remove the airbag.

I'm curious to see.

???
It's really not that difficult to remove an airbag; I've done it many times before.
You should not sit in the car when you turn on the ignition for the first time.

(Disconnect the battery, remove the airbag, ..., reinstall the airbag, turn on the ignition, reconnect the battery, done). But your question was rhetorical, right?

Hi,

I think S_Freak now knows how to remove the ignition switch unit, and he will certainly be able to decide for himself which method to use, whether to do it himself or take it to a professional.
Perhaps he will also let us know later what, how, and where the error occurred.

The goal of my post was to help him quickly and affordably.
The alternative is 'The Friendly,' but it's very expensive for the amount of work it involves.

Best regards, Andy.

Well, I was at least assuming that someone who asks how to remove the ignition switch wouldn't want to mess with the airbag system.

But doing it yourself is definitely better.
To enable the expansion feature, the ignition switch must be set to position one.
and after disconnecting the battery, you should wait for 15 minutes.
the residual tension has dissipated.
There's really nothing else to add.

Hello,

It might be a good idea to be mindful of static electricity. A sheepskin seat cover and plastic pants with rubber boots aren't ideal when working on airbag cables, especially if you're constantly getting in and out of the car.
A person removing an airbag, the vehicle, and the airbag itself should be "grounded." A 100-ohm resistor in the airbag connector will not cause harm as long as the airbag is disconnected.

Best regards, Rainer.

Hi!
@Rainer: If the airbag connector is disconnected, the short-circuit bridge within the connector is always automatically closed, for the very reason you described. Or are you referring to something else?

Best regards,
pretzel

Hello pretzel,

I couldn't see such an automatic bridge in the connector of my side airbag. However, I didn't really pay close attention to it.
If something like that is actually inside the plug, all the better.

Best regards, Rainer.

Hi,

"Perhaps, as a supplement:"

In my DIY Polo manual, it still says that, as mentioned before, you should disconnect the battery when starting the engine. The same applies when reversing.

Okay, turn the ignition to "ON", then connect the battery, and make sure no one is in the car while doing so.

I believe the latter is also the reason for this regulation, because when the ignition is turned on, all the components receive power and initialize. If something explodes for some reason, there won't be anyone nearby. You can't turn on the ignition without entering the danger zone of the airbag.

Using the method described, it is possible to achieve ignition without the nose being in front of the airbag.

Best regards,

Jan.

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your tips. I'll try them out when I'm back home, because my parents are currently using the car.

Regarding the installation and removal of airbags, I'd like to mention that I'm involved with the THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) and have participated in several training courses on procedures for dealing with car accidents. The standard procedure was always to create a special 'bag' with a ratchet strap over the steering wheel (which the THW did, but the fire department didn't), because even with the battery disconnected, the airbag can (and should) still function.

Conclusion: I definitely won't disconnect the airbag myself or mess around with the deployment area afterward; the risk is too high for me. I'd rather take it to the workshop.

Despite everything, thank you very much for your help .