is the ignition switch exclusive to 411/412 or is it shared?

minty73 · Post by **minty73** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 3:37 am

reason being is i think mine is about done and i could do with a new one. its so bad i can take the key out of the ignition while its running, surely thats not good!!

i would like to fit a new unit in its place and wondered if it was the same as anything else? i dont want to have to fit an aftermarket one in the dash or hidden somewhere.

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 12:23 pm

I think you can do that with quite a few older vehicles. Not sure if they were always like that... You should see the key on my Golf, it's so worn it looks like a toothpick! Anyway, I'm not sure if they're interchangeable with anything else.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 5:50 pm

The key/tumbler unit is identical to type 3 and some late supers. The switch part fits a wbhole range of vehicles. But....The key tumbler type is the VB series. It is imilar to type 3, but has a uniqely shaped key. The type 4 is the symmettrical oval shaped key head, but you can generally swap them from type 3 to type 4. If you steal one from a type 3....take the dore handles too. They are the same. That way teh stamped #'s will match the ignition and one key will still do the whole car. Ray

Zen · Post by **Zen** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:32 pm

I'm pretty sure it's the same lock cylinder used on some early water cooled cars. According to my Ilco key blank referance book, early Rabbits (through 84), Dashers (through 81), and Sciroccos (through 83) also used the VB key. All of the VW ignition locks I've seen from 72 through the late 90s are the same basic size and construction. The differance is the keyway. Ignition locks and/or door handles can be re-keyed so you can keep one key working everthing when you just change one piece . . . as long as all the locks use the same key.

If it's just that your key is worn out, I can cut you another one from the lock code at a very reasonable price. I'll have to check, but I believe I have some VB keys with the rubber head and a cut-out VW logo. I know I've got tons of them in aftermarket blanks.

Zen · Post by **Zen** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 8:20 pm

I'll bet that this ignition lock cylinder would work. And if nothing much changes in the next 24 hours, the price is right.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... ename=WDVW

The lock is held in the housing by a hidden flat spring. You have to drill a small hole in the correct place and push the spring back and the lock will pull right out. It should drop right into your type 4's housing.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 4:17 am

yep..that would work. About the only difference is that the key unit is cast onto the bearing guide unit. The type 3/4 units have th lock tumbler remove the same way..except that you do not have to drill anything.... like on the bus...to reach it. You remove the steering wheel....two screens for the faschia plate above the lock unit,....after you remove the blimker lever/wiper lever asse,bly. Then you can reach in with an o-ring pick to contact the flat spring for the tumbler assembly. Ray