Swapping ignition barrels

cossie · Post by **cossie** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:15 am

Ok I got hold of a complete ignition barrel from a ZX.The wiring is different,well the plugs.Is there anyway to change the barrel over?

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:43 pm

i dont know if there is?? i know you can open them up and use the 'dial' inside to start the car without the key (key tip snapped on my od 309 in the ignition barrel) but dont know if the actual barrel can be swapped over??/

thanuttiscotsman · Post by **thanuttiscotsman** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:55 am

hi there, if the slot barrels are the same diameter and have the same tip at plug end then you should be able to swap them over. basically you stick the key in the barrel and turn it, this allows the push (release) pin to be pushed into the barrel allowing it to be withdrawn out of the slot. if you have lost the keys then you will prolly have to replace the upper steering column as removing a barrel without key is nigh on impossible without damaging something as i found out with my tranny van!, designed that way to prevent theft etc.

rossco

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:10 am

you can drill them out quite easily as it happens! drill straight down the m,middle of the barrel and then you can release it, had to do that after gotthe car home from the key tip breaking!

cossie · Post by **cossie** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:21 am

I have the whole ignition switch out of the car,and have one from a friends ZX that hes scrapping.
The plugs on the end of the cables are different and too short.I was wondering if I can make one switch out of the two?
Using the BX cables and plugs and the ZX actual switch?
Does the black part with the cables separate from the key part??
Thanks for your replies.

thanuttiscotsman · Post by **thanuttiscotsman** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:46 pm

well first question is does the bx switch fit on the end of the zx barrel? if so then just use bx cables and switch and zx barrel. if not then i would probably insert the zx barrel, attach zx switch to it and then you would need to remove bx wires from their switch and connect them in correct order to the zx wires coming from zx switch using block connectors or something.

rossco

cossie · Post by **cossie** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:51 pm

Well the silver part,switch is identical to the BX one,just want to know how it comes apart from the black part.

Post by **Toddman** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:16 pm

Totally understand what you are saying Clive and without looking I am pretty sure you can do what you are suggesting.

All down to compatability but the PSA barrels of this age should be in two pieces - the barrel and the plastic switch with cable part.

Cheers
Luke

cossie · Post by **cossie** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:29 pm

Cheers guys.I am sure I have had one apart before,when I had my Xantia,but can I remember?
This is all cos some s^%$ tried to take Iain's 16v.I'd just love to get my hands on him.So does Iain,and hes a big boy now

cossie · Post by **cossie** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:10 pm

I dont think it will work.I just had the two apart,and with the ZX one,the part the steering lock is in is different,a lot shorter.And the black part with wires in is slightly different too.Dont seem to match up.
Think I need to find a BX thats being broken.

cossie · Post by **cossie** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:11 pm

Also there are more wires in the BX one,so I dont think I can even cut and chop.

robin hughes · Post by **robin hughes** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:48 pm

Is this any use to you clive??

I bought it from a citroen dealer in tavistock for a spare and was told its for a bx. If you are intrested make us an offer as it just sits around in the cupboard.

cheers rob

cossie · Post by **cossie** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:43 pm

Hi Robin
Iain's car has four red and four white wires on his,so I'd say that one you have isnt for a 16v.Other than that it looks the same.I havent got his out yet as its been mullared and I cant get a key in.to pop the pin.
Any ideas as to the size of drill I need to drill it out?
I have the original switch that we changed some time ago so thats what I am using as a pattern.But it isnt any good to use,it dont spring back after starting the car.

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:39 pm

8mm rings a bell from when i did my old one, doesnt take too long to drill it out,

Post by **Vanny** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:12 pm

Removing barrel on BX with mullered key/lock
First off, drop the top of the steering rack out! Undo the break away bolt (half way down the column and about 3" below the brass coloured bit), then undo the 4x 16mm bolts that hold the brass section of the column to the cross car beam. Disconnect the wires. Now you can work on the thing in relative comfort.

The release pins mechanism is actually quite soft, and so far i have always managed to use a pin punch and smash the pin back into the barrel without a problem. Then you just slide the barrel out. Failing that drill the pin out after you have centre popped it, the pin is its self quite soft and a 4mm hss bit will evaporate it very quickly.

ZX v's BX barrel
I once (perhaps mistakenly) bought a ZX barrel in order to fit to a BX and found like yourself that the steering lock plunger was totally the wrong length and the wires very different. I also determined that the original BX lock barrel would not fit into the ZX barrel space.
Subsequently though i have fitted a new style replacement Valeo barrel to the BX, this had totally different wire colours and connectors, and the casing is different from a factory fit single blade BX one. Brief examination against the ZX one (which is now in many many pieces if i still have it), makes me think that the replacement double blade BX keys are considerably similar to the ZX key than the old single blade BX key, and i suspect the switch/barrels can be interchanged.

Warning
Dont bother trying to drill length ways through the lock, its too much effort.
Dont bother trying to prise the brass coloured shell apart as they wont go back into shape and so the barrel will never fully fit again.
Do give up early and ask if someone has a spare upper column with or without lock!
Don't worry if you cant get an ABS barrel, there are differences, but only a small fly lead from the ignition switched live for the ABS. Easy to add on separately!

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Swapping ignition barrels

Swapping ignition barrels

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