So, a fair few months ago I posted a thread about how my ignition barrel wouldn't turn and advise with that. Firstly a big thank you to everyone who commented and helped out. I did eventually managed to get the key to turn and get the barrel out a couple of weeks ago.
However since then I've ordered two new ignition barrels from two different suppliers. Both were supposedly be the right fit for my car, (one one site I even enter my reg to confirm) but both times the barrel has just been slightly to big to fit.
Is there something I'm missing or doing wrong or have I just been unlucky with these barrels?

Thanks.

 

There are two ignition barrels available for your model.

(a) manual gearbox,  (b) automatic gearbox.

Which gearbox do you have ?

It's a manual. 

After having another go at it today I'm convinced I do have the right barrel. I just can't seem to get into fit in. 

The correct Ford FINIS code is 1022461

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334812208089

11 hours ago, Jade Bernice said:

It's a manual. 

After having another go at it today I'm convinced I do have the right barrel. I just can't seem to get into fit in. 

Are you turning the key in it?  The little locking tab needs to be 'opened' the same as removing the old barrel.

Yes I was turning the key. My conviction about having the wrong barrel was totally misplaced. As you can hopefully see from the bad photo below, my old barrel does not have the bit that sticks up.

Hard to tell exactly what you are referring to in the photo. Is it the location rib (marked with a red line) ?

If so then it can very easily be filed off as the barrel is only made from a soft white metal alloy.

Exactly that. Thought about filing it down but wasn't sure if it was a good idea. But yeah, if you think it will work then I'll try that.

15 minutes ago, Jade Bernice said:

But yeah, if you think it will work then I'll try that.

Just check very carefully that there are no other differences before filing the location rib off. You should be able to remove it quite easily as the metal is soft.

It's taken quite a bit of filing, on and off, over the last couple of weeks but yes, the barrel is finally in. It's all put back together. That excited feeling of finally turning that key. Just a shame the battery was too flat to start 😂

But its not issue, my brother will give me a jump start tomorrow and that should be it. Just a nice long test drive and then a good clean.

Thanks again for everyone who has helped out on here over the last six months. 

What's that phrase? oh yeah, never count your chickens before they hatch.

To be fair with the jump leads it did seems as if it was trying to start. At one stage I thought it is going to go any moment. However no joy.

I took the battery off, charged it and tested to see if it was ok so not problem there. I also though it might be where the fuel has been stood so I added a can of unleaded to the tank. 

But now it's not even trying to start. Electrics in the car is working, clock, fan, radio.

My first thought is the starter so I'm going to jack it up when I have change and see if I can see a problem and to give it a couple of knocks. Otherwise maybe the ignition cables or ignition coil? Is there possibly anything else to try?

 

Does the engine crank ?

If yes then not the starter motor.

If No then it is not the ignition cables, or the ignition coil.

No it's not cranking at all now. Thanks at least that rules out the ignition part.

Possibly you have burnt out the starter solenoid or even the starter motor due to excessively trying to start the engine. It doesn't actually matter which has failed as they have to be replaced as a combined unit.

On 5/20/2023 at 11:03 PM, unofix said:

Possibly you have burnt out the starter solenoid or even the starter motor due to excessively trying to start the engine. It doesn't actually matter which has failed as they have to be replaced as a combined unit.

Most probably, I did the old trick of giving it some taps. After which I did at least get a clicking sound when trying to turn it. However this only worked a couple of times before returning to silence, no matter how many times I hit it. 

So looks like replacing the starter motor is the next thing to try, A job I was hoping never having to do again after leaving my previous job last year.

However it looks like the bonnet catch has given up as well. So until I can access the engine I'm going to hold off buying one and at this point I do have to start thinking is it actually worth it.