Help with ignition tumbler
Help with ignition tumbler Can someone point me at how to swap out the key and tumbler assembly in the steering column? Mine went bad (security light etc) and I have a spare steering column with a key, and want to swpa it. I can't see how to get it out though and don't want to break it.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
1. Disconnect the negative cable at the battery. Wait at least 10 minutes to be sure the airbag capacitor is discharged
2. Remove the steering wheel
3. Insert ignition key into the cylinder but leave in the LOCK position
4. Remove the lock retaining screw (at the 12 o'clock postion in the steering column)
5. Disconnect retainers and clips holding the VATS wires and pull the harness up through the column.
6. Remove the lock cylinder.
However, this won't solve your security problem unless the other column happened to have the same resistor pellet in the key (1 in 15 chance). Installing the ignition cylinder from the other column and using the other key will not match the programming in your BCM and your car will not start.
2. Remove the steering wheel
3. Insert ignition key into the cylinder but leave in the LOCK position
4. Remove the lock retaining screw (at the 12 o'clock postion in the steering column)
5. Disconnect retainers and clips holding the VATS wires and pull the harness up through the column.
6. Remove the lock cylinder.
However, this won't solve your security problem unless the other column happened to have the same resistor pellet in the key (1 in 15 chance). Installing the ignition cylinder from the other column and using the other key will not match the programming in your BCM and your car will not start.
Thanks, I decided not to do this and just swapped the entire steering column for another one I had that has a key, works great now. So I guess the BCM doesn't care as long as the key and lock cylinder match.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
