How To Remove and Fix the Ignition Switch in 2012 VW Jetta DIY

Lots of times these VW key's won't turn, or if they do they get stuck in the on position. This is how you remove an ignition lock assembly and then disassemble. From here I believe you can put it back in. Not terribly hard.

2012 VW Jetta Mk6 Ignition Switch Removal

Follow-up Video with some questions answered!

Join my community on discord

#diy #automotive #repair

[deamonmachine]

I made a follow-up video to this with some other information. I basically re-did the job and concentrated on the question points I got the most of.

[dunderthunder]

Much appreciated sir! Found this video and it gave me the confidence to take it on. Saved me the cost of a tow and repair fees.

My car got stuck away from home, the key would go to On but not over to Start. I tried wiggling the key for 30mins before i gave up and found this video. I ended up taking the ignition assembly out and banging it around until the key would turn over, put it back in and got the car home to finish the job.

Hardest part was chiseling the headless bolts to get them out. It was very discouraging until i noticed they were turning just very slowly, then they loosened enough to removing with my fingers. Getting the ignition switch out was also a nightmare. I lined up the whole with the dote on the black rubber and played with it for 10-15mins before it released.

[serafinnieves]

So many other videos say to remove the steering wheel, but this way is so much easier and it shows that the removal of the steering wheel is no at all necessary. great video. I also learned that I don't need to get a new key.

[glad]

Question ? Do you have to reprogram the key after replacing the switch and housing ?

[prat]

Banging the thing worked for me not too hard but eventually I got the key to move to the correct position. Thank God for you sir. Everyone kept removing the steering wheel or didn't show much direction to get the job done. I applaud you sir.

[PauloVenturaPT]

Thank you the detailed video. Remove the bolts with the steering wheel on and all went smooth. 30€/part overnighted from Amazon and the car was back in action. Thank you

[Jalgiene]

Just got done fixing the wife’s car, thanks to this video man, life saver 🤝

[stacyhale]

Just want to thank you for making this video. Ended up getting into my car on Wednesday night after getting a few things for Thanksgiving, and my key will not turn. Yep, you’re video saved us hundreds of dollars $$ and you explained things so well, my son in law was able to replace it while I held a light so he could see better lol
If you end up having to do this, use a punch point to get the two big security screws out. Trust me on this.
Thanks again!

[veemall]

Awesome video! The tumblers inside the ignition are hung up in the lock position. In order to turn the ignition and start the car I put the key in the ignition, held the key fob straight and with the plastic end of a stubby screwdriver tapped on the end of the key directly inward. This caused the tumblers to shift out of the locked position (fall into place) then I started the car.
Note: Be careful tapping the key with the screwdriver. Do not tap it with too much force or you may damage the ignition. Start with a few light taps and if that doesn't work then slightly increase the strength of your tapping and try it again.

[Fmandan]

Thank you very very much for this video. After 11 years of daily driving my GTI, the key switch locked-up on me today...after 15 minutes of messing with it, I got it working again, but it's only a matter of time before it fails permanently. Will be replacing it soon!

[aspenv]

Both me and my dad would be absolutely lost without this video thank you!! 🙏🏽

[alfredosanchez]

Your video was of great help. I looked at others but yours was the best. With that been said, I ran into some problems not mentioned on your video. NO, am not an expert, this is my 1st time doing it but, for some reason I had to do the following:

5.04 Since I started late. The dealership was closed by the time I finish. I reuse the screws by cutting a slot with a Dremel and screw them with a flat screwdriver

6.30 I wish you can get the camera closer. I had to guess what it was that I had to push or pull but, I got it. Please people use the same pick he used on the video. A 45 degree pick. It does help a lot with the removal

7.00 I rather remove it from the opposite side. Near the solenoid. My cylinder came with not wires.

8.18 Once you stick the paperclip in the lock. You have to push the assembly down or is not going to release. Why I don't know. I did it twice.

One more thing for all of us ROOKIES. Don't place the old cylinder near the new one. I reassemble the old one again. It wasn't until I looked a the pink or purple letters stamped on the old cylinder that I realize I assembled the wrong one.

Thank you

[rickrick]

Hands down the best explanation for this please keep in mind if you are not mechanically inclined make sure an expert does this I'm going to tackle this with my father who has 40 years of mechanical experience and this is going to be a fatherson moment. Thank you for a wonderful video bro cheers 🍻

[inspectordesigns]

Thank you so much sir!! I don’t work on cars much and I was quoted $1650 for this. I ended up spending $215 and spent an hour doing it. I didn’t need to remove the steering wheel. I used one of those thread makers for stripped screws for the 2 bolts and it worked like a champ.

[timdavis]

Thanks for uploading this! It turned what would have been a surely ridiculously expensive repair from the VW dealership into a $75 and couple hours of labor repair job!

People like you are the real MVPs!

To give more context, I tore the entire assembly apart to see if I could fix it. I was able to disassemble everything, however I found that some metal chunks had broken off the housing and were jamming things up internally. Upon reassembly, it was no longer jamming, but still didn't work correctly - I suspect the piece of housing that broke off is supposed to hold a retention pin in place, but is a weak point prone to failure.

[mightyfraserriver]

Thank you Volkswagen. Half a years feul money to have someone repair my ignition 1k bill 2 days off of work cabs around the city to drop off and pick up tired of garbage v w cars underengineered and extremely expensive parts super hard to work on.

[IlkinJamalli]

Watched around 5 of these videos and only yours explained completely what is what! Thanks, man!

[ethanknarr]

Cannot express how much of a life saver you are brother, thank you a ton 🙏🏽

[sweeetman]

Great job man! Able to get my Jetta back on the road in under 24 hours.

[Reps.and.Doubletime]

PRO TIP: You have the screw/bolt out. Take a Dremel and cut some slots on top, use a slotted screwdriver to re-install.

This video was AWESOME. very helpful.