how can i unlock the ignition on a vauxhall cavalier ls 1.8 petrol?

You can buy a neww barrel with keys online for £13.25

tmpacer
August 2010

If, like me, you cannot remove the barrel because the wheel lock was on then your only other option (short of removing half the steering column), is to do what I did. Drill out the inner barrel with a metal drill bit. This could take an hour or two depending on your drill but eventually it releases the wheel lock and allows you to remove the ignition barrel completely. You can then replace the barrel (I got one from a breakers yard for £30).

James North
August 2008

not usually neccesary to remove wheel.remove upper and lower plastic cowling (usualy lower first)to gain acces.before u do buy a container of graphite powder from a GOOD hardware store and puff several shots down the key slot.if u cant find product,use a nail file to file a spoon full of pencil lead and pour this into key slot.graphite(pencil lead)is incredibly slippy stuf and great for lubricating locks without gumming them up with oil.

caine
June 2008