What is the difference in the ignition cylinders between manual and auto? My car is an auto right now, but I am getting ready to do the T56 conversion in a couple weeks. My VATS has been acting up since I fixed the wire on the cylinder, and I don't want to bypass it.

 

none, the differences are all in the column.

 

Yep, all that needs to be done is to remove the park lockout business from the column.

 

I'm not talking about the ignition switch mounted on the column. I already removed the park-lock cable from that, not worried about it. I'm talking about the ignition key cylinder, where you stick your key to start the car. Part number 26033390 for A4, or part number 26033387 for M6 on shoebox's website. Any differences at all? I ask because the prices are different on gmpartsdirect, by like $20.

 

I just replaced one in an A4 car, looked identical to the one in my M6 car.

 

No, they are not the same. I've owned both.

On the M6 there is a little button on the key cylinder you have to press when turning it to the lock position.

On the A4, no button.

 

TraceZ is exactly right. I completely forgot about that part with the button. I was only thinking about the part that was inside the column, as it would relate to an auto to manual conversion.

 

I knew it! I work at autozone and I get bored n look up parts for my car... Anyways, *at least my location* we have the Automatic one in stock but the manual one is Special order. I was thinkin its just the button because I had a manual 3rd gen and I pieced a column together from my original and one from an automatic n lost my cylinder lock

 

Well I have converted my car and didn't run into any problems with the ignition lock.

In answer to your question, are they different, it would appear so. Does it matter? No.