How to change or repair the ignition switch on a Lada Kalina

What problems does the Kalina ignition switch have?

The ignition switch on the Lada Kalina is a contact group with a cylinder that turns only when the appropriate key is used. When you turn the key, the contact group turns, which closes certain circuits - first the ignition is turned on, then the starter. Simultaneously with turning the key, the steering shaft locking pin moves away.

This mechanism is characterized by the following malfunctions:

• the ignition turns on, but the starter does not turn on;
• the starter does not turn on the first time;
• nothing happens when you turn the key;
• the lock does not turn;
• the key is stuck in the ignition.

As a rule, if the starter or ignition fails, the contact group may be to blame. The contacts oxidize and the circuit stops working.

However, the ignition switch is far from the only reason for these phenomena. There may also be problems with the immobilizer. Therefore, it is important to make the correct diagnosis.

Mechanical problems, such as when the key gets stuck in the lock, occur much less frequently, but they are the ones that cause the most panic among car owners.

In any case, if the ignition switch malfunctions, it must be replaced immediately.

Causes of breakdowns

Faulty contacts are a common cause of ignition switch failure.

Being an electromechanical device, the ignition switch of the Lada Kalina most often fails for the following reasons:

1. Due to sudden surges in voltage, contacts burn out. At the moment the unit is started, there is a sharp increase in temperature in the system, which leads to burnout of the insulating layer.
2. Oxidation of contacts due to increased dampness in the interior can lead to breakdown.
3. Mechanical damage . Exposure to dust and dirt, manufacturing defects and careless operation lead to increased wear of the unit.

Signs of breakdown

Another common malfunction is a broken return spring (sometimes it just flies off).

In this case, the “symptoms” depend on the cause of the malfunction:

1. In case of mechanical failures, turning the key becomes more difficult . This indicates a malfunction of the lock cylinder.
2. Oxidation or burnout is manifested by a lack of response from the system when the key is turned. In this case, troubleshooting can be reduced to cleaning or replacing contacts .

What to do if a key is stuck in the lock and other problems

There is a very rare malfunction - the key gets stuck in the ignition switch of the Lada Kalina. The car owner can neither unlock the steering wheel nor start the car. As a result, the car becomes immobilized.

This can happen for two reasons:

1. The lock is defective - it begins to jam due to manufacturing errors.
2. The key is defective or its copy is incorrect.

Keys are often lost. Car owners, in order to save on the original, turn to the services of people who know how to make spare parts. The result is not the copy that the castle needs.

However, the key cannot unexpectedly get stuck tightly. The malfunction first manifests itself in the form of rare jams, which are eliminated by rocking the key from side to side.

Below is a table that tells you what to do in case of various ignition switch malfunctions:

The car owner can replace the faulty ignition switch himself. However, it is important to be able to choose it correctly.

Rules for using the lock

The standard ignition switch of the Lada Kalina car has 3 standard ignition key positions.

1. Position 0 is fixed. The ignition key can be removed from this position. In this position, external lighting devices can operate, including fog lights, illuminating the road ahead of the car. The hazard warning system works, you can use high and low beams, and turn on the audio system.
2. Position 1 is fixed. The key cannot be removed from this position. The ignition is on. In this case, electrical power is supplied to all energy consumers of the vehicle, with the exception of the starter. Leaving the key in this position for a long time can drain the battery. Before turning on the starter, it is recommended to hold the key in this position for several seconds. During these seconds, the electric fuel pump will create the required pressure in the fuel system, which will greatly facilitate starting the engine, especially when it is cold.
3. Position 2—turn on the starter. The key does not lock in this position. When released, it returns to position 1.

If you remove the key from the lock and turn the steering wheel slightly left and right, the locking mechanism of the anti-theft mechanical device will work. To turn off this device, the key is inserted into the lock in position 0, then when the steering wheel is rocked in different directions, the key is moved to position 1.

Do not hold the key in the starter position for more than 10 seconds. If the engine does not start, you need to take a break for 10-15 seconds and try again. Do not hold the key in this position while the engine is running. While Kalina’s car is moving, it is prohibited to remove the key from the lock. If you do this, steering failure will occur due to locking of the steering column and a sharp deterioration in the functioning of the braking system.

How to select a lock for a Lada Kalina

There are two ways to replace the ignition switch and this leads to two selection methods:

1. Officially, using the key tag.
2. Replacement of all car locks.

When a car owner buys a car, he is given two keys with a special metal tag with a number. Using this number you can restore the factory key or even the ignition switch. This is the official replacement method and can be done at your dealer. It is less expensive and simpler.

Another option is that both keys or the tag are lost. In this case, you will need a new set of locks with new keys. This method is more expensive and will require additional replacements of larvae.

If you have chosen the second method, then it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the list of manufacturers of ignition lock and door lock kits for the Lada Kalina:

After selecting the desired lock, you can begin replacing faulty elements.

Why does the immobilizer not work and how to fix it?

The main reasons for immobilizer failure are:

1. The control unit is disabled and the key and vehicle are out of sync. A reactivation procedure is usually sufficient to resolve these faults.
2. Liquid entering the unit. In this case, the device will need to be removed from the machine and dried. If the system subsequently does not recover, the disk must be replaced.
3. The power fuse is faulty. The immobilizer is powered by a 10 ampere (on Kalina 1) or 15 ampere (on Kalina 2) fuse installed in the mounting block in the instrument panel. If after replacing the fuse the device does not work or the fuse fails again, the vehicle must be towed to a service center for a thorough diagnosis.

How to change the ignition switch on a Lada Kalina with your own hands

When replacing the ZZ on Kalina, you must take into account that the new keys do not have the required immobilizer chip. If at least one old key has been preserved, the chip from it must be removed and replaced with a new one.

As a rule, a key with a red chip (training) is saved. Using it, you can train the chip of the second new key.

Another option to train the key is to call an appropriate specialist who will clean the EEPROM of the injection ECU and flash the data of the new keys. Without all these manipulations it is impossible to start the car!

Procedure for replacing the lock:

1. Remove the steering column cover.
2. Disconnect the connector with the ignition switch power wires.
3. Disconnect the small immobilizer receiving antenna connector.
4. Remove the four bolts securing the lock and remove it.
5. Install a new lock with new breakout bolts.
6. Break off the bolt heads and perform further assembly in reverse order.

The hardest part is removing the old lock. For this you will need a good chisel. After all, the bolts that are to be unscrewed have no heads. This is done to prevent theft.

Using a chisel and hammer, you need to break off all four bolts and unscrew them.

How to program new keys for Lada Kalina

This process is called immobilizer training. Its purpose is to write new key chips into the ECU memory in case the old ones are lost. This is relevant after replacing locks, keys, etc.

You need to perform the following procedure:

1. Close all doors. Turn on the ignition and wait 6 seconds.
2. Turn off the ignition. The immobilizer indicator on the panel will begin to blink quickly, confirming the start of the learning procedure.
3. Pull out the red key and insert a new one, turn on the ignition. Wait for three beeps from the buzzer.
4. We wait until the buzzer gives two more signals and turn off the ignition.
5. If you need to train another key, then repeat steps 3 and 4. After completing training, insert the training key again for 5 seconds while the indicator is flashing and wait for three beeps. After this, two more signals should sound after some time.
6. Turn off the ignition.
7. We wait until the buzzer beeps once.
8. Turn off the ignition for 2-3 seconds and turn it off.
9. The hazard warning lights will flash and the horn will sound.
10. Turn off the ignition and remove the learning key.
11. We wait more than 10 seconds, then turn on the ignition with a new key.
12. We wait 6 seconds and try to start the engine, if it fails, then turn off the ignition again, wait 10 seconds and repeat this procedure.

Keys with a built-in remote control for electric locks are registered in the same way.

Resynchronization of remote control codes

In cases where the remote control buttons are pressed outside the range of the radio channel, the “floating” code counter in the remote control goes out of synchronization with the counter in the system control unit. If the number of button presses outside the signal reception area of ​​the system exceeds 1000, the system stops responding to remote control commands. In this case, the remote control training procedure should be repeated.

Updated August 01, 2013

Due to the increasing number of cases of lost training (master) keys for car owners of Kalina, Priora, Grant, Niva-Chevrolet, we are introducing a new type of service: registration of working keys in these cars, without a master key!

Usually in such cases, it is necessary to change a set of blocks: ECU (electronic engine control unit), APS unit, glass control unit, ignition switch complete with door cylinders and new keys, etc.

Now in our company you can register a working key with buttons without a training key, and for an additional fee you can receive a new training (red) key for your car. For this procedure, you need to come by car and leave it while the work is being carried out. The work includes dismantling the necessary units (ECU, APS, etc.) from the car, programmatically changing data, installing units on the car and registering keys. We emphasize that a key registered in this way will cost more than registering a remote control yourself if you have a training key, but naturally cheaper than buying and replacing a set of blocks with new ones.