Hi,

I have a 1998 'R' Renault Megane Scenic RT DTi

My wife had tried to start the car, and told me that the key wouldn't turn.
The steering lock is engaged, and that looks to be the problem i.e.
mechanism stuck. I tried to free things with wd40, but it had no effect
whatsoever.

The HBOL procedure to remove the ignition key lock needs the steering wheel
to be turned, although I think I can get round that by removing the whole
steering wheel (disconnecting the battery for 10 mins first because of
airbag). But, the Haynes procedure for removing the barrel and it's
steering lock mechanism involves turning the key to an arrowed position and
then releasing a clip - no shear pins!? Any suggestions?

Also, I investigated the lock gently with a thin screwdriver to see if there
was any crud to dislodge etc, and now can't get the key to go all the way
back into the barrel - tamper proof device of some sort? (possibly a bit
academic anyway if as I suspect I have to replace the thing).

So; Is replacing the lock mechanism the way to go; How do I get the darn
thing out; what are the immobiliser implications (is it in the EDC)? Any
other relevant info?

Thanks in advance

Derek

In article <g5v4bn$2hbt$1@energise.enta.net>, Derek says...

> So; Is replacing the lock mechanism the way to go; How do I get the darn
> thing out; what are the immobiliser implications (is it in the EDC)? Any
> other relevant info?
> 
Car thieves friend - the slide hammer. Screw it into lock, vigorously 
pull the weight along the bar. Hey presto, one removed barrel.


-- 
Conor

I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't 
looking good either. - Scott Adams

On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:35:11 +0100, Derek wrote:

> So; Is replacing the lock mechanism the way to go; How do I get the darn
> thing out; what are the immobiliser implications (is it in the EDC)? Any
> other relevant info?

When trying to bodge remove the wheel, don't worry about the immobiliser 
as much as the airbag... I don't know how risky it really is, *but* it's 
quite a downside if you're leaning over it and set it off..

Hopefully somebody with more experience can be more definitive?

PCPaul  gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
saying:

> When trying to bodge remove the wheel, don't worry about the immobiliser
> as much as the airbag... I don't know how risky it really is, *but* it's
> quite a downside if you're leaning over it and set it off..
> 
> Hopefully somebody with more experience can be more definitive?

Disconnect the battery.

Go and have a cuppa. And some biccies. And a fag. Read the paper whilst 
you're there.

Come back, take the airbag off. Put it somewhere safe. That's it. You 
just need to give it time for the capacitors in the control circuitry to 
discharge - they're there to ensure the system still fires if the battery 
cables are severed in a severe impact.

On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:58:31 +0000, Adrian wrote:

> PCPaul  gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
> saying:
> 
>> When trying to bodge remove the wheel, don't worry about the
>> immobiliser as much as the airbag... I don't know how risky it really
>> is, *but* it's quite a downside if you're leaning over it and set it
>> off..
>> 
>> Hopefully somebody with more experience can be more definitive?
> 
> Disconnect the battery.
> 
> Go and have a cuppa. And some biccies. And a fag. Read the paper whilst
> you're there.
> 
> Come back, take the airbag off. Put it somewhere safe. That's it. You
> just need to give it time for the capacitors in the control circuitry to
> discharge - they're there to ensure the system still fires if the
> battery cables are severed in a severe impact.

That's the sort of thing.

*However*... I'm sure I've heard of Meganes having major problems getting 
the immobiliser synced again after battery death/disconnection - 
including one on here (I think?) that ended up being scrapped because 
Renault wanted more than the car was worth to replace the whole ECU 
system to make it all work again...

Remind me again why I won't buy Renault?

Conor wrote:

> In article <g5v4bn$2hbt$1@energise.enta.net>, Derek says...
> 
>> So; Is replacing the lock mechanism the way to go; How do I get the darn
>> thing out; what are the immobiliser implications (is it in the EDC)? Any
>> other relevant info?
>> 
> Car thieves friend - the slide hammer. Screw it into lock, vigorously
> pull the weight along the bar. Hey presto, one removed barrel.
> 
> 

Thanks! *googles*

Seems like a new toy^h^h^htool is in order, then! 

Derek

PCPaul wrote:
> 
> *However*... I'm sure I've heard of Meganes having major problems getting
> the immobiliser synced again after battery death/disconnection -
> including one on here (I think?) that ended up being scrapped because
> Renault wanted more than the car was worth to replace the whole ECU
> system to make it all work again...
> 

Fortunately, I have the immobiliser code, and this car has one of the
variants which *can* be married to a new IR key if you have the code. Some
dealers will deny this is possible, and Haynes barely mentions the
existence of a security system, never mind helping with it.

What I'm trying to ask in this case is; when I change the lock barrel, is it
coded to the immobiliser system; e.g. do I have to buy a replacement EDC
unit :-(


> Remind me again why I won't buy Renault?

Wise man ;-) This one has the Crusty the Circus Clown button stuck in
the 'on' position.

Thanks!

Derek

On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:08:22 +0100, Derek wrote:

> PCPaul wrote:
>> 
>> *However*... I'm sure I've heard of Meganes having major problems
>> getting the immobiliser synced again after battery death/disconnection
>> - including one on here (I think?) that ended up being scrapped because
>> Renault wanted more than the car was worth to replace the whole ECU
>> system to make it all work again...
>> 
>> 
> Fortunately, I have the immobiliser code, and this car has one of the
> variants which *can* be married to a new IR key if you have the code.
> Some dealers will deny this is possible, and Haynes barely mentions the
> existence of a security system, never mind helping with it.
> 
> What I'm trying to ask in this case is; when I change the lock barrel,
> is it coded to the immobiliser system; e.g. do I have to buy a
> replacement EDC unit :-(

The only ones I've come across only have a generic induction loop round 
the lock barrel, nothing fancy. But I'm no expert on Renaults and their 
fancy shmancy slightly-too-big for your wallet keyless card systems etc. 
etc. ;-)