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spacedman

New Member

• Aug 21, 2007

• #1

After filling up with diesel this morning, and sitting on the forecourt ready to go, I couldn't turn my key. I jiggled it, wiggled it, stuck it in and out a few times, prodded the cutoff knob - nothing. Wouldn't budge.

I'm not sure what eventually happened, but I must have said some prayer to the right deity and click click rumble purr and she was ready.

So any idea what happened? Please, no more 'welcome to the world of Series motoring' responses

Here's what I do when I stop. Pull the knob, engine stops, turn and remove key. To start, insert key, turn, knob springs back out, and then once the 'cold start' light is nice n bright, turn again and off she goes.

Oh well, apart from that she managed the 150 miles home no problem - did 65 on the flat and touched 70 downhill. I could see the fuel needle dropping though....

Barry

 

thehulkowner

New Member

• Aug 21, 2007

• #2

i know this sounds silly but have you gt a series lock is it a series 3?

 

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spacedman

New Member

• Aug 21, 2007

• #3

Yeah, tis a 1983 Series 3. Keyhole is on the left of the steering column with a cut-off pull-switch just next to it.

Ooh, is it a steering lock too? Should I just jiggle the steering wheel when I turn the key? If so, then I'm doing it unconsciously most of the time...

 

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slob

Well-Known Member

• Aug 21, 2007

• #4

most of the time yer did need to.. it only locks when thing line up . and i dint uranus and venus

 

doobie

Active Member

• Aug 21, 2007

• #5

i've got a similar set up on my diesel S3 but the cut off nob is pull out to stop and you have to push it back in before you can start again, the girlfriend got stuck at a petrol station as she was tryin to start it with the nob in the 'stop' position i've also been stuck at a petrol station when the ignition to starter solenoid wire fell off.....

never had the key not turning though!

 

thehulkowner

New Member

• Aug 21, 2007

• #6

yes when u start it jiggle steering wheel and most of the time the lock does not work as said before if they arent locked up u take key out and jigle to lock steering wheel and put key in a jiggle to start it up!!

glad to be of help
gd lck

 

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spacedman

New Member

• Aug 21, 2007

• #7

doobie said:

the cut off nob is pull out to stop and you have to push it back in before you can start again

Click to expand...

First time I stopped in mine I pulled the knob out and then pushed it back in again, and then couldn't get the key out! Fiddled with it for a while before pulling the knob out again which released the key. So you can't take the keys out without pulling the knob and stopping your engine.

Thanks all for the other tips, I'll get jiggy wid it in future.

Ho hum, I wonder which of the ten previous owners lost the instruction manual...

[i've got the workshop manual pdf downloaded from that estonian site, but its not quite the instructions...]



Barry

 

G-man

BBQ king

• Aug 21, 2007

• #8

its all about the jiggle!, to start mine on cold mornings i have to hold the stop button out and crank it for a bit the let go of it and she will fire (i really should change my glowplugs)