So i have a 1986 90, all was working fine, then the last two drives out i noticed the car did not want to start properly, or to put a clearer picture on it, it starts first time but then wont keep running.

I have found that the ignition key when turned and starts the car, wont stay in the ON position, but rather goes straight to the OFF position, it does this several times than eventually stays in the ON position.
I have also noticed the key is very easy to turn, eg does not need much pressure to turn form ON to OFF.

Any thoughts.

Starter motor is 2 months old, Battery is all new and charged, So have ruled them out. Is there a spring or something in the barrel or is this straight to new ignition barrel

New complete barrel & shear pins will sort this out.

Hicap phill said:

New complete barrel & shear pins will sort this out.

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when you mean shear pins, do they come with a new barrel or separate

Few kits on eBay have bolts
Just make sure you get the correct kit to fit yours.
You will need a centre punch/small chisel to remove the old bolts
Also remove the cowling & clocks to get easy access

Having just done this job I can tell you that the thing that keeps your key in the right place is nothing much to do with the barrel. In fact it is in the end bit with all the wires which is held on by a coupla tiny screws. There are springs and stuff in it which maintains the position of the key in contact with the contacts, if you see what I mean.
To prove this, take it off and use a screwdriver to turn it into positions for aux, ignition, start etc.
I had a similar problem years ago and in my case the starter would not engage unless I turned the key to its furthest position then turned it backa fraction. Took it apart, cleaned it sorted the springs and it went ok.
Just don't want you to go to all the trouble of dismantling the barrel replacing it and then finding that wasn't acsherly the problem!

Well, took the steering column casings off to find the barrel was not on with shear pins at all, so 30 seconds later it was all out, My now only issue is, as i took it out i found one connector at the back of the barrel missing cable but could see one from where i removed it from, so i'm making the assumption it was that wire as no other around, can't seam to see any good diagrams as as usual everyone is different, But basically should i have 4 wires or 5 at the back connected to the barrel, ( one brown one had come loose.

adyw said:

Well, took the steering column casings off to find the barrel was not on with shear pins at all, so 30 seconds later it was all out, My now only issue is, as i took it out i found one connector at the back of the barrel missing cable but could see one from where i removed it from, so i'm making the assumption it was that wire as no other around, can't seam to see any good diagrams as as usual everyone is different, But basically should i have 4 wires or 5 at the back connected to the barrel, ( one brown one had come loose.

Click to expand...

The barrel will have been changed previously in that case. Some people put normal bolts in to make it easier to change in the future. Lucky break. Not having the shear bolts makes an easy to steal vehicle marginally easier to steal.