I'm inclined to think the barrel is the problem. I looked at one I had lying around and it springs back on its own.

You can get locks to fit keys from your dealer. If you haven't got the key number, the dealer should be able to provide it off the VIN, or IIRC it is stamped on the boot lock barrel. The part number for the barrel alone is 8960221. Trouble is you won't get much change out of £100 for it. If you can live with an odd key, it would be cheaper to buy a second hand barrel & key.

 

Thanks - I'll get to look at it this afternoon and see what I can find out.

 

I can remove the barrel easily - no spring return evident - so that's the cause of that.
I've no idea why the warning lights are on though - but they're all controlled by Fuse 13. I'm assuming they're part of the same problem as it all happened together.

 

Hi Dave, i had this very problem only about 2 weeks ago. The exact same thing happened to me, i turned the key one morning and it felt like a click and the key did not automatically return.
The problem is the ignition switch. It’s a black plastic looking box that sits at the back of the ignition barrel (this contains the return spring mechanism). It’s held on by 2 small Allen key bolts and has a large plug with about 16 pins connected to it. I went to a scrap yard and pulled the switch off a car there and it now works beautifully!

The warning light problem relates to the key not returning back to the correct position. When you start the car and move the key back to the “on” position, if the warning lights are still on, move the key just slightly more until the light extinguish. Problem (temporarily) solved.

Because it is just the switch which is the problem (if it is the same problem as mine) then you get to keep your existing barrel and key!

Hope this helps.

 

Yup - that sounds like the same thing. I know what I'm doing this weekend then!

 

Update - it was the switch - which is separate to the barrel.
I got another switch - very easy to fit with just the plastic cowl removed. 2 very small allen screws fix it to the column, and the harness plug of course.