THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION BARREL OF MY MUMS E39 523 BMW ANY IDEAS?

 

Is it a automatic it must be in park for the key to release

 

if it ain't an auto then the barrel is probably buggered, i had this on my old pajero. what i faff.

 

Is it an auto? Common fault on E39's.

Usual cause is the cable, number 11 in this link

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...03&hg=32&fg=30

 

Yes its an auto and yes its in park but apparently sometimes difficult to get out of park.
I borrowed it today and i cant give it back like this.

 

99.9% definitely that cable above that's gone then. It runs from the ignition barrel to the gear selector

EDIT: It's illustrated in that link, but I chose manual when looking for the model, so it's not in the key. Go back and choose auto and it'll appear.

 

Does the cable adjust as i need a quick fix

 

this suprises me I thought the cable just stops you taking it out of park when the key is not in the ignition. I live and learn. could it be the cable just needs adjusting if you can do this, he says it has been getting hard to get it out of park??? or is it brand new cable time. COULD HE NOT JUST REMOVE THE PLASTIC PANEL UNDER THE BARREL AND PULL THE CABLE TO TRY AND GET THE KEY OUT AS A QUICK FIX FOR TONIGHT???

 

Yes, do as he says, remove the lower plastic trim and have a fiddle, you probably will get it to work, but leave that trim off until it's permanently fixed.

 

did it work I wonder??? let us know mate