Ignition Switch Replacement in VW mk1 and mk2

[@Cotz95]

I appreciate that the reassembly is included in the video

[@ajrobbiedj4898]

Thanks for this vid, my mk2 got stolen and hot wired. Smashed the ignition barrel too so this has helped me massively to reassemble my steering components

[@Dudewitdarock]

Some guy said I have to drill a hole in my ignition to take the ignition switch out, good thing I found your video

[@OlisGarage]

There’s too much misinformation around with these older vehicles. I’m happy that I can help stop some of it!

[@EverywhereRosary]

Someone tried to steal my convertible rabbit and made a big hole in the ignition too!

[@figlinn]

So much easier then my 1990 Golf GL. I have to use one of those grips with a tightening screw. I think it was called a steering wheel bearing removal tool at AutoZone. I didn't have that black little spacer but instead a spring and metal piece that compressed everything down.

[@clintwill8715]

Thanks for posting this video, have a 84 GTI 🐇 , thought I had a bad fuel pump, put new one in, didn't solve problem.Now going to replace switch, hopefully that'll fix it.

[@OlisGarage]

Let me know if it helps. I always like to hear the results.

[@juanirving276]

Did it help? I have an 84 GTI also and I can't hear the full pump, and it doesn't even crank.

[@austinburke6035]

I want to know if this worked as well...

[@clintwill8715]

@@austinburke6035 Mice had chewed the wires going to the fuel pump.Hot wire your fuel pump and starter first ,to make sure they work,before you start replacing them.

[@OfficialELTB]

Just smash the old one out (carefully). Forget about the screw. The new one slots in and is held in by the wiring harness that clips onto the column. You don't have to remove the steering wheel. Just the cowl. Worked on my mk2 caddy

[@vajaynunthandass676]

You are hence forth no longer VW mechanics teacher ,you are now a professor

[@ABBLWouldChangeMe]

Would appreciate a video on changing out the fuel pump or the fuel injectors!

[@OlisGarage]

It’s added to my list of things that I need to film!

[@nicoyoung259]

Going to the garage right now to do this repair on mine 👌👌👌

[@OlisGarage]

It’s a pretty easy repair! Good luck with it! Well, easy once the knee bar is out. I’ve driven around for months at a time without a knee bar because it’s such a pain to remove and reinstall.

[@keamogetswemolotsane3455]

waiting for Cluster and climate control bulbs video. all the way from South Africa

[@OlisGarage]

Just finished filming the cluster LED upgrade 5 minutes ago. Climate control will be a separate video since that can be a little more involved (cutting plastic). But I will film it as well.

[@sleepyweasel447]

✊ awe awe

[@richard21109]

Thanks for posting,a very good video oli. Im having trouble with my lock barrel,think its worn as on key withdrawal,it does not always engage the steering lock.Have ordered a new barrel,lock,and switch so it gets the job all done 😀

[@OlisGarage]

Good call getting everything new! Mine works pretty well with all new parts (I replaced some more stuff in a video I’m currently editing). Let me know how it goes! Will you need a different key now? I assume as much

[@richard21109]

@@OlisGarage yes it will mean a new key for the lock barrel and the old ignition key for the doors and boot locks.

[@OlisGarage]

@@richard21109 you might be able to reuse the old lock cylinder just with a new steering lock. I’d probably try that first because if that works, then you can keep the original key

[@richard21109]

@@OlisGarage its a good plan thanks

[@richard21109]

@@OlisGarage all done,used the original barrel and fitted new switch as well as replacing the steering lock.That should last sometime,all ready for the spring and summer !

[@coyotech55]

This helps. I have an 81 VW gas truck. If I turn the key to crank the engine and hold it the starter turns, it starts. However, if I let go of the key it stops (like no power). If I hold it in crank position it keeps going. If I wiggle the key in crank position it'll stay and keep running. I think the problem is in the ignition. I don't know if I need to replace just the switch or the whole thing... or if there's maybe something farther down that I don't know about, that might cause that. Have you run into that before?

[@garethboulton7591]

Hey buddy, I’m having some electrical issues like no oil/temp/battery light on dash, also wiper stalk not working & rev counter not working , they all stopped working the same time , in bad weather.I’ve got a mk1 cabby & roofs leaking a bit, noticed water on the steering column where the ignition switch is. Do you think water getting in there has caused damage. Fuses seem ok , no checked relays though. Do you think replacing the ignition barrel & wiper switch may do it. I’m going to replace wiper motor too as that was hot to touch & smelt a bit burny. Any help would be appreciated. Also just bit more info the hazard bulb on the cluster does work & flash green & the main beam blue light also works & the clocks light up when headlights turned on so it’s not all dead. Thanks buddy

[@scampbell96]

Great video, Oliver!!

[@OlisGarage]

Thank you!

[@a914freak]

1990 VW Cabriolet......So I had this problem where I would turn the key but I would have to grab the key with both hands and twist it hard for it to make the START connection. So I figured I needed a new swtich. Nope not the problem. installed new switch same thing. Purchased a new lock cylinder and key, same problem. Purchased a new lock housing same problem. The strange part is if I just used the ignition switch outside of the lock it works fine, but when I try and start it with it installed its as if the lock cylinder is just not turning far enough to fully engage the contacts in the switch. Have you ever seen this before? Are they bad quality ignition switches?? I have replaced everything at this point. RIght now i just have the ignition swtich with wires hanging next to my column and I just put the lock cylinder into the switch to start the car. Any idea why this is happening?

[@DIY.11.11]

Great video

[@figlinn]

But this is also a great video for steering wheel lock replacement 👍

[@OlisGarage]

Good catch!! I also just finished filming replacing the steering column bearings and lock cylinder. So I hope to have that video up on the 15th.

[@numazi]

Can a bad ignition switch cause the in tank fuel pump to not prime?

[@kagisomolapo21]

Hi Oliver...The aluminum housing on mine won't come off😢

[@brandongeier7981]

Love the videos brother! You really helped me out when I first started working on my '92 Cabriolet. However we recently lost the only key for it and have been looking everywhere. What do you think the best solution is if we can't find the key?

[@OlisGarage]

I’ve read online that people have good success calling a locksmith who can make a key to work with your lock cylinder, without needing a template. That would be my first step. If they key works well in all locks, then I’d assume that the key is cut well and I would get some copies made. Mk1engineering is a website that sells key blanks. I cannot remember if they also cut them though. You can always change all of the lock cylinders. But that’s a pain. Just try to get a key made

[@brandongeier7981]

@@OlisGarage Great, thank you!

[@OlisGarage]

@@brandongeier7981 happy to provide suggestions! Keep me updated if you don’t mind. I hope the locksmith is able to help you out.

[@brandongeier7981]

@@OlisGarage I will!

[@Cotz95]

I know other brands with newerish cars you can go to the dealer and they can make a key based on their database. No idea if VW does this for this vintage

[@vajaynunthandass676]

Thank you very much

[@Nick-up4mr]

I have a 92 cabriolet wolfsburg. Sometimes, when I turn the key, all the electronics will turn on but the car will not crank. I can still roll it off, but the engine just won't turn over. Do I need to replace the ignition switch or could it be another issue I am not seeing? Thanks :)

[@JasonRoy-v7f]

I've had the same problem. Did you figure out if it was the ignition switch?

[@Nick-up4mr]

@@JasonRoy-v7f it’s been six months but yeah i’m pretty sure that’s what it is. i’ve been at school so i’ve never had the time to fix it, so me and my dad just wired a push button to the starter and the battery (literally just one wire to the starter and the the other to the negative terminal on the battery). it won’t crank unless the key has been turned and is still in the ignition, it just spins and spins but doesn’t crank, so that’s a plus. janky asf but works for a short-term solution.

[@JasonRoy-v7f]

@@Nick-up4mr thanks for the reply. Good idea on the work around for now.

[@jacobferrell7224]

Looking for the video for the kick board and dash and steering wheel

[@OlisGarage]

Don’t have it finished yet. Steering wheel is covered in my instrument cluster removal video. Dash and knee board hopefully are coming late spring/early summer.

[@jacobferrell7224]

Okay thank you

[@jacobferrell7224]

I have a 1981 vw rabbit that will not crack thinking it’s the ignition switch

[@OlisGarage]

@@jacobferrell7224 see if there is 12v going to the starter when you turn and hold the key in the crank position.

[@OlisGarage]

See my starter replacement video. Power (12v) should be going to the smaller wire that is a spade connector when the key is turned to start

[@gvg7209]

Hey Oli's Garage. Someone tried to steal my VW Golf mk2 car, but failed. He totally ruined the ignition switch (broke it out of its place), and now the steering lock is jammed on. Do you think a replacement like you show is possible in this situation? Thanks for the answer and for the video!

[@OlisGarage]

The steering lock needs replaced or fixed first I’d imagine. Does it unlock when you turn the key? The ignition switch is easy to replace. It’s hard to assess just based off of words honestly. But both parts aren’t too difficult to replace!

[@gvg7209]

@@OlisGarage Thanks for the quick answer! I have send you some pictures via email, so (only) if you have the time you could asses the situation better. Thanks anyway!

[@baitse7676]

Is this similar to Audi B2 (4000 and Gt Coupe) procedure?

[@goutOX]

yeah, pretty close.

[@chrishajer9747]

Thanks!

[@OlisGarage]

You are very welcome! Thank you as well!

[@json8172]

Is it worth replacing that upper column bushing while you have it all apart? Would think that would wear faster than the metal bearings.

[@OlisGarage]

You can if you want. If you notice it’s wobbly, sure. Most likely though it’s your lower steering column bushing that’s broken. I’m in the process of editing a video talking about steering column bushing replacement. It’s not hard, but does take a bit of time.

[@json8172]

@@OlisGarage ah ty... then its not the bushing. I'm feeling loose steering column bolts, should likely address that.

[@kamz4576]

Weird. I didn't need to go to the hassle of removing the kneebar to replace the switch in my '86. The airbag Cabriolets, however, will require kneebar removal. It's wise to test a new switch before installing, as modern electric parts can be bad out of the box. 🍺

[@OlisGarage]

I’m not going to lie, I already had the knee board and dash out since I fixed the rust around the windshield. So when I had that stuff pulled I replaced multiple components (ac rebuild, steering column rebuild, ignition switch, and probably more). Thanks for letting me know that for the non-airbag cars it doesn’t need to be removed, and you definitely bring up a good point about testing it first. What is your suggested testing method of the switch before installation?

[@estackelberg]

‘92 cabby without airbag-definitely had to remove the knee bar to free up the column to get the trim off the top of the column (1:50 in the video).

[@estackelberg]

Hey following up for anyone who might use this info… I mentioned above that I had to remove the knee bar. In reality on the ‘92 with no air bag i had to *loosen* the kneebar, then remove the vinyl/plastic trim from the kneebar, and that was sufficient to gain access. I think with a universal joint/socket perhaps I wouldn’t have had to do this, but anyway. Also, on the ‘92 there’s a spline hub instead of a rubber bushing/collar-very similar to a mk2 or mk3. To get that off I used a bearing separator and puller (reversed, with flat side facing the driver’s seat) but I also had to use some penetrating oil to get it off. It was *not* coming off without the liquid wrench and some tapping on the collar/hub spline itself!

[@liannkarni2022]

​@@estackelberg you have any pointers for getting the knee bar out? I have the 92 with an airbag.

[@profesinue9670]

Saludos

[@aliadams420]

👍🏼

[@ericflores8576]

Do you by chance know how to open a jammed trunk on a 1984 gli

[@OlisGarage]

I'm pretty sure the design is similar to the trunk on a cabriolet. If that's the case, climb in the back, carefully remove the plastic rivets holding the cardboard cover on, and then you can see the entire locking mechanism.

[@aboundingpassions2430]

Does the ignition switch come with a key?

[@OlisGarage]

No, the switch is just the plastic part

[@aboundingpassions2430]

@@OlisGarage Thanks, currently working on an 83 rabbit, but the owner couldn’t find the key. Great tutorial though!

[@OlisGarage]

@@aboundingpassions2430 you can buy the lock and a key from the internet. Check out mk1autohaus. But honestly the easiest would be to remove the lock barrel (covered in my steering column bearing replacement video), take that lock barrel to a lock smith, and have them make you a new key. That way your key would match the rest of the car, and then you don’t have to tow a car to the lock smith.

[@tebzamoyaga6823]

I wish you had a car with a steel spacer and see how you will remove it.

[@fonsowaffles]

where is that kneebar video at?

[@fonsowaffles]

nevermind i just did it myself and i can see why you didn’t film it. those bolts were a bitch to get to