left the car parked up for a few days as i was using the classic  , went to start  the skoda  the ignition key wouldnt turn , steering lock wouldnt engage . managed to  get it to turn  have sprayed  some lube in it ... ( i know i should use graphite powder) . its worked but  when  you turn the key to 1st accessory  position  its stiff  but then  when you go to start  engine its ok ... its has stuck  while trying to work the lube into the lock a few times today . this sounds like  the barrel is on the way out to me ?. is it possible to  get another ignition lock  matched to the doors  and is removing the ignition lock gonna be a PITA 

I believe the ignition-switch is in 3 main pieces:

• The key barrel
• The ignition lock
• The actual electric switch

 

The main/hefty piece is the ignition lock, and the key-barrel + switch sort of clip onto either end of it. 

It's usually either the ignition lock or the electric switch which fail, so you should be able to simply replace one/both of those parts, and keep your existing keys + key holes.

 

It's a pretty common failure on VAG models of the time; a workshop who deal often with VW products should be very familiar

Edited 19 April, 20224 yr by andythomnz