Am I knackering the ignition?

elsien

I have a rather hefty set of keys on one ring due to being a keyholder for assorted elderly relatives. A colleague told me today that having the weight of them hanging off the car ignition key when I'm driving is going to damage the ignition in the longer term.
Fact or fiction?

lauraaurora

Fact. I had an old boyfriend who had to pay VW a rather large amount of money to put in a new ignition barrel to replace the one that he had broken by hanging a good few keys and charms off the same keyring... He only found out when he couldn't start his car at all...

anewman

I'd say it depends on how well the ignition key barrel is made which no doubt depends on the car's brand primarily. Search forums for your car make and see how many reports there are of knackered ignition key barrels. If there's only one or two you're probably fine, if there's 5 or more I'd consider reducing the weight

hewhoisnotintheknow

lauraandclive wrote: »

Fact. I had an old boyfriend who had to pay VW a rather large amount of money to put in a new ignition barrel to replace the one that he had broken by hanging a good few keys and charms off the same keyring... He only found out when he couldn't start his car at all...

But the vw ones break easily!

elsien

2006 Skoda fabia, if that's any help.

mcjordi

elsien wrote: »

2006 Skoda fabia, if that's any help.

vw at heart

anewman

mcjordi wrote: »

vw at heart

Yep the ignition barrel will definitely be a VW part.

cyclonebri1

elsien wrote: »

I have a rather hefty set of keys on one ring due to being a keyholder for assorted elderly relatives. A colleague told me today that having the weight of them hanging off the car ignition key when I'm driving is going to damage the ignition in the longer term.
Fact or fiction?

Total fiction. The only thing that wrecks the keyhole is the chav,

anewman

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Total fiction. The only thing that wrecks the keyhole is the chav,

Chavs who know what they're doing break the steering lock and go for the wires at the back of the ignition switch.

cyclonebri1

;);)

anewman wrote: »

Chavs who know what they're doing break the steering lock and go for the wires at the back of the ignition switch.

You obviousley know what you are talking about, so I bow, were do you live???

atrixblue.-MFR-.

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

;);)


You obviousley know what you are talking about, so I bow, were do you live???

and what car you drive! :rotfl:

to the OP yes it will be a VW barrel and the verdict is still out weather fact of fiction on heavy keyring will damage the barrel i would of thought more on damage to the key seeing as the key is moulded into plastic, but saying this weight could put added wear and tear on the internal pins and springs in the barrel so yes i'd say fact.