Well I got in the car and the switch wont rotate. When I removed the key this morning, it felt a little wierd and I assume there is a mechanism that is gummed up.

I tried shooting alcahol into the cylinder and it removed dry graphite lube that I have used over the years but it still wont work. Tried compressed air, nothing.

Any ideas on how to resolve this so I can at least get the car home?
Thanks.

 

This might be a dumb question, but is your steering wheel lock bound up? I've had mine not want to rotate and the steering wheel lock was bound up from pressure, turned the wheel slightly and it rotated.

 

well thats easy just put the key back in


all seriousness wd40 ur key and keep giggling and messing with it it will go......ive been there b4 lol

 

I had the same problem on my 95 3.4L, either ignition switch (about 6 inches under dash on steering column) or key lock cylinder (the mechanism that you put the key in). Hope you're flexible.

 

Nothing worked so I had to call a locksmith. He showed up and tried to lube it and free it but to no avail. It had started hanging a bit here recently but now its total failure.

Locksmith ended up removing the airbag, wheel, signal switch and finally the ignition switch to rebuild it in his work van. Turned out one of the six sliding wafers inside the tumbler was siezed due to normal wear and tear. He installed six new wafers, cleaned the cylinder, lubed it and reinstalled it and all is good after having to fork over $150.

Regardless the problem is fixed.

 

move the wheel back and fourth while turning your key

 

congrates on getting it figured out quick.

 

$150 with removal... rapair and replaiced!!!! THATS GREAT! Honest....

 

Thats actually an awesome price, glad you got it fixed.

 

yea im saying the same thats a frickin great price to R&R and fix it lol

 

I actually agree all things considered and showing up at my work and all. I also dont have the angry pissed and dirty feeling you normally get when you know you just took it up the rear for an easy job. It did appear that rebuilding the tumbler might have been just out of my realm of abilities.

That said, I am always hesitant to let anybody charge me to do anything for fear of getting screwed or overcharged or both. Overall, he spent about an hour doing the job and he appeared to be good and take pride in the work.

 

same exact thing happened a few months ago on my '02 tahoe...locksmith rebuilt it and gave me 2 brand new gm keys for the same price.

The other key that I got when I bought it was a ACE hardware key and wore down the little grooves so it wouldn't engage.

Glad to hear you got it fixed though

 

Lucky you didnt have to repace the key. I heard there not cheap.