Hey gang,
I had an issue come up on MOnday I thought maybe some of you have experienced. I was late for a class, stopping just to get coffee and change for parking when I hopped back in my 02 MCS and the key would not turn. Not for love or money. I pulled the steering wheel left and right till it locked, held it off "lock" put my foot on the brake, pulled the E-brake up and down and nothing. I couldn't have turned that key if I were superman.
I called "1-866 help me mini road side assistance" and they suggested all the things I had done. I called my wife to come get me as the tow truck was on the way (she was going to have to wake up our 2 year old boy) then I went back frustrated, hot, tired and late and tried one more time.
It worked. It felt for all the world like I had broken something as there was a loud "clack" from the tumbler, but it worked. Tow truck was coming. Wife was waking up child. Pay phone 100yards away (yeah last family on earth with no cell) so I had to turn it off. I tried again. Same "clack": and it worked. A third time. It worked! Called tow truck, called wife it worked again, with less of a clack got me to class and then home. Worked fine all day today. no "clacks". But now I'm worried it'll happen again.
Couple months ago Norma (wife) said it happened to her and she finally got it to work. I was convinced the steering wheel lock had been tense, but now I'm wondering if there isn't a real problem.
Heard of this before?
Thanks for any thoughts.

 

I also have a 2002 MCS .
Don't pass 'Go' drive in a straight line to dealer service. there was a loud "clack" from the tumbler, but it worked.
This is no joke. It may come apart the next time you try to start.
Go fix it before trouble knocks at your door.

 

Holy Moly! It's not like it's going to cause his car to spontaneously combust!

I'd say, however, that a trip to the dealer might be a good idea.

 

I'm not sure why I'd think this, it could be the char marks on 1lesssuv, but I think you just flamed him. Harsh man, harsh. Not cool.

 

On a 02,with x miles on it,maybe the tumbler is worn.It is one of the few mechanical systems in a MINI.Basic stuff.Do all keys work?

 

This is a problem I am very very very very familiar with.
My last car was a 94 325i. Its ignition tumbler was worn, and the key got harder and harder to turn. Sometimes it simply gets stuck; just wouldn't go past a certain spot. I was pretty much the only person who could start that car. My girlfriend was stranded several times because she could not turn the ignition switch. Since it requires a very specific technique for the key not to get stuck, I call it my best anti-theft device. She finally made me take it to the mechanic.

The mechanic took the key tumbler out (there is a hole on the tumbler where you stick a paper clip into to push the tumbler out), sprayed it with white lithium grease, and told me to treat my key tumbler gently. The only way to fix it is to buy a replacement tumbler from BMW (out of warranty by then), and it would cost me big bucks. This is a very common problem with BMWs.

I'm assuming you are still under warranty. Take it to your dealer and ask them to replace your tumbler. They will have to match it to your key I think, so it has to come from Europe (not sure Germany or England) And from now on, make sure your steering wheel is off the steering lock when you attempt to start your car.

On a side note, if you get stuck again before the dealer replaces your key tumbler, this is what you do. Use ALL of the force you have to turn the thing. Use both hands and all the body strength you have. It will give. Once my key was completely stuck in the key tumbler, and even I couldn't turn it. I of course went to the internet and did a search. Everyone recommended just using all the force you have to turn the key. At that point I had nothing to lose because my car had to get towed anyway, so I did it, and it worked, saving me a tow.

But in any case get your dealer to replace your tumbler, and do it ASAP. It takes a few weeks to order one from Europe.