Beetle ignition and steering lock

Hi all, we're after a bit of help...

Heading up to Camper Jam last weekend, we stopped off at the M6 services and after returning the beetle, we started it but then it died straight away. We turned it off and gave it another go. After turning the key we started getting some smoke from around the ignition and then our steering lock go stuck on and we couldn't even turn the key.

After some umming and aaahhhhing, we decided to call the AA to get then to come and see what they could do. The AA guy eventually managed to get the key to turn after using a shit load of grease, wd40 a bloody big hammer and some pliers. We got the steering lock off but the ignition switch wasn't doing anything, boooooo

We ended up getting him to hotwire it so we could continue our journey but now we're back, it's time to try and fix the bloody thing.

A few ongoing issues we did notice a few weeks before we went: (not sure they're related but they could well be)

Our Reverse lights have stopped working
The fuse for brake lights etc has blown twice in the last few months
When we indicate left, the tail light will flash with the indicator

I am assuming it's probably related to a ground somewhere but we wondered whether anyone can share any tips or has any advice.

Cheers guys

George & Charlie

reverse lights take feed from the coil, there should be a wire with an in-line fuse holder, that is the fuse for the reverse lights.

Also check there are no shorts to earth between the fuse holder and the coil. there is no fuse to the coil, i had a squareback which had a broken fuse holder which earthed out and it burnt out the ignition switch as you describe.

The flashing tail light is almost certainly the earth from the light cluster to the engine bay, there should be a spade connector behind the sound proofing at the side of the engine bay, this sometimes brakes away leaving no earth.

Cheers Rob, that's super helpful and will hopefully make things a lot easier to sort.

One more question, if the igntion wires had melted would this have caused the ignition barrel to clog up and not allow us to turn the key to get the steering lock off?

Thanks again dude

I've never heard of that happening before but i suppose it is always possible for the excessive heat to have damaged something.

Does the key turn ok when the switch is removed? (from the back of the igition barrel) Maybe the switch itself has welded together and lock/barrel are ok.

I've not had chance to take a look yet but the barrel's never been a problem before so hopefully it's related and an easy fix.

Cheers

Fitted a new ignition switch and luckily the key and barrel were both fine. The car's starting using the key again, woohoo!!
Cheers for the help Rob, much appreciated

No Worries, any time.