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changing ignition key cylinder

2K views 17 replies 0 participants last post by  Tom Adkins 
G
#1 ·
Lost the key and want to change cylinder. What's the trick? Do I have to
pull the steering wheel?
 
G
#2 ·
On Sat, 04 Jun 2005 01:38:49 -0400, "jery" <jeryjo@msn.com> wrote:

> Lost the key and want to change cylinder. What's the trick? Do I have to
>pull the steering wheel?


On what model?

On a '86 Tempo, changing the cylinder involved nothing more than
dropping the bottom plastic cover of the steering column, pressing out
a pin, and unplugging 1 wire.....but it could be different for other
models...

-LMB
 
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#3 ·
Without the ability to turn the lock cylinder in order to allow pushing in
the lock pin, you will likely have to drill out the cylinder. This is rarely
a fun way to spend part of an afternoon. It is extremely easy to drill
cock-eyed and really up the frustration factor.

Sorry to sound like a real curmudgeon, but there is no fun thing to say
about this stuff. Keys were designed to be lost and the human condition
includes an innate ability to lose keys (ask Mrs. mechanic).... I can't
speak for anyone else, but I think there's no such thing as too many
spares....


"jery" <jeryjo@msn.com> wrote in message
news:cb162bc87aec5d203f24d2114bf7c93a@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
> Lost the key and want to change cylinder. What's the trick? Do I have to
> pull the steering wheel?
>
 
G
#6 ·
Jim, can't you use a screwdriver to turn the cylinder once you access the
pin? It's been a while but I thought you could.

CJB

"Jim Warman" <mechanic@tenalpsulet.net> wrote in message
news:BGboe.31681$on1.14823@clgrps13...
> Without the ability to turn the lock cylinder in order to allow pushing in
> the lock pin, you will likely have to drill out the cylinder. This is
> rarely
> a fun way to spend part of an afternoon. It is extremely easy to drill
> cock-eyed and really up the frustration factor.
>
> Sorry to sound like a real curmudgeon, but there is no fun thing to say
> about this stuff. Keys were designed to be lost and the human condition
> includes an innate ability to lose keys (ask Mrs. mechanic).... I can't
> speak for anyone else, but I think there's no such thing as too many
> spares....
>
>
> "jery" <jeryjo@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:cb162bc87aec5d203f24d2114bf7c93a@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
>> Lost the key and want to change cylinder. What's the trick? Do I have to
>> pull the steering wheel?
>>

>
>
 
G
#7 ·
Somebody with a little better grip than me might be able to.... but this is
one of the methods a car thief might try and he wont be worried about
damaging the steering column. Don't forget that the lock cylinder is
designed so that it "can't" be turned without a key in it.

The original poster needs to take it apart with the idea that he's going to
put it back together...


"CJB" <colonyparkwagon@excite.nospam> wrote in message
news:yokoe.5518$nr3.1191@trnddc02...
> Jim, can't you use a screwdriver to turn the cylinder once you access the
> pin? It's been a while but I thought you could.
>
> CJB
>
 
G
#8 ·
You're right; I had a brain freeze. I had a CV in which the cylinder needed
replacement. The contacts for the buzzer came apart and jammed it. I was
thinking that I had used a screwdriver to turn the cylinder, but in
retrospect I got some of the pieces far enough out of the way for the key to
insert and turn it.

My bad.

CJB

"Jim Warman" <mechanic@tenalpsulet.net> wrote in message
news:Usmoe.25951$HI.6950@edtnps84...
> Somebody with a little better grip than me might be able to.... but this
> is
> one of the methods a car thief might try and he wont be worried about
> damaging the steering column. Don't forget that the lock cylinder is
> designed so that it "can't" be turned without a key in it.
>
> The original poster needs to take it apart with the idea that he's going
> to
> put it back together...
>
>
> "CJB" <colonyparkwagon@excite.nospam> wrote in message
> news:yokoe.5518$nr3.1191@trnddc02...
>> Jim, can't you use a screwdriver to turn the cylinder once you access the
>> pin? It's been a while but I thought you could.
>>
>> CJB
>>

>
>
 
G
#9 ·
i've lost a set of keys and made a call to a local locksmith who came
out to the house and made the keys to the vehicle on the spot. cost.
55 dollars.

another place would have charged 140 dollars, so prices to vary quite a
bit.

i ended up with keys to doors, trunk and ignition, so, in my opinion, it
wasn't a bad deal, given the fact of what the locks would have cost and
the time to install them.

might want to consider this as an option.

also, does the poster have travel insurance. sometimes, that is
included in the cost of the benefits.

hope this helps.

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional
"Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc
 
G
#10 ·
Too bad you did not have your key code you could have
gotten keys cut for a buck a piece for a non coded key vehicle
like yours. I always record the key codes on the back of my
license ;)


mike hunt



c palmer wrote:
>
> i've lost a set of keys and made a call to a local locksmith who came
> out to the house and made the keys to the vehicle on the spot. cost.
> 55 dollars.
>
> another place would have charged 140 dollars, so prices to vary quite a
> bit.
>
> i ended up with keys to doors, trunk and ignition, so, in my opinion, it
> wasn't a bad deal, given the fact of what the locks would have cost and
> the time to install them.
>
> might want to consider this as an option.
>
> also, does the poster have travel insurance. sometimes, that is
> included in the cost of the benefits.
>
> hope this helps.
>
> ~ curtis
>
> knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional
> "Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
> invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
> http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc
 
G
#11 ·
Jim Warman wrote:
> Somebody with a little better grip than me might be able to.... but this is
> one of the methods a car thief might try and he wont be worried about
> damaging the steering column. Don't forget that the lock cylinder is
> designed so that it "can't" be turned without a key in it.
>


>>Jim, can't you use a screwdriver to turn the cylinder once you access the
>>pin? It's been a while but I thought you could.
>>
>>CJB
>>

>
>
>


You can turn the lock cylinder with a screwdriver and remove it IF it is an older
Ford with a 5 or 10 cut square head key. Use a big screwdriver with wrench flats near
the handle (Mac, Snap On). This will destroy the cylinder but not the column. There
used to be a tool for this purpose called a Bypass Key. They're not available to the
general public (same category as lock picks), but a large screwdriver also works.
Break off the "wings" first.
 
G
#12 ·
Have a locksmith make a new key.

Fred

"jery" <jeryjo@msn.com> wrote in message
news:cb162bc87aec5d203f24d2114bf7c93a@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
> Lost the key and want to change cylinder. What's the trick? Do I have to
> pull the steering wheel?
>
 
G
#13 ·
On Sun, 05 Jun 2005 23:16:27 GMT, "fclaugus" <fclaugus@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>Have a locksmith make a new key.
>


Missed the OP - but sometimes even a new key won't turn the cyl.
I have on occaision had to resort to driving the pin in to enable the
cyl to be removed (because the cyl generally needs to be in an
unlocked position to depress the pin). When done carefully (if there
is such a thing) the cyl can be replaced without replacing any other
parts of the column.

>Fred
>
>"jery" <jeryjo@msn.com> wrote in message
>news:cb162bc87aec5d203f24d2114bf7c93a@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
>> Lost the key and want to change cylinder. What's the trick? Do I have to
>> pull the steering wheel?
>>

>
 
G
#14 ·
nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca wrote:

>
>
> Missed the OP - but sometimes even a new key won't turn the cyl.
> I have on occaision had to resort to driving the pin in to enable the
> cyl to be removed (because the cyl generally needs to be in an
> unlocked position to depress the pin). When done carefully (if there
> is such a thing) the cyl can be replaced without replacing any other
> parts of the column.
>
>
>>Fred
>>



Fred,
Just driving in the pin usually results in cracking the column. The cylinder can be
turned with a large screwdriver and a wrench to the ON position. You can then depress
the pin and remove the cylinder.
 
G
#15 ·
On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 06:50:45 -0400, Tom Adkins
<newton5@remove.comcast.net> wrote:

>nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Missed the OP - but sometimes even a new key won't turn the cyl.
>> I have on occaision had to resort to driving the pin in to enable the
>> cyl to be removed (because the cyl generally needs to be in an
>> unlocked position to depress the pin). When done carefully (if there
>> is such a thing) the cyl can be replaced without replacing any other
>> parts of the column.
>>
>>
>>>Fred
>>>

>
>
> Fred,
> Just driving in the pin usually results in cracking the column. The cylinder can be
>turned with a large screwdriver and a wrench to the ON position. You can then depress
>the pin and remove the cylinder.


And doing this often damages the column too, as the "tumblers" score
the bore as they get deformed enough to let the cyl move.
 
G
#16 ·
nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca wrote:
> On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 06:50:45 -0400, Tom Adkins
> <newton5@remove.comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>>nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca wrote:
>>
>>
>>>
>>>Missed the OP - but sometimes even a new key won't turn the cyl.
>>>I have on occaision had to resort to driving the pin in to enable the
>>>cyl to be removed (because the cyl generally needs to be in an
>>>unlocked position to depress the pin). When done carefully (if there
>>>is such a thing) the cyl can be replaced without replacing any other
>>>parts of the column.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Fred
>>>>

>>
>>
>> Fred,
>> Just driving in the pin usually results in cracking the column. The cylinder can be
>>turned with a large screwdriver and a wrench to the ON position. You can then depress
>>the pin and remove the cylinder.

>
>
> And doing this often damages the column too, as the "tumblers" score
> the bore as they get deformed enough to let the cyl move.


The tumblers are on the inner cylinder and surrounded by the cylinder barrel (all
one assembly). The barrel is keyed heavily to the column and held in place by the
pin. There's almost no way that forcing the cylinder around in the barrel can damage
the column, it ain't going to turn. This destroys the lock cylinder assembly though.
If you don't believe me, try it on your next trip to the boneyard. It works on all of
the older style cylinders like in the Tempo, Gen I and II Taurus, pickups till about
95 etc. Break off the wings first, tap the screwdriver in the slot, turn the
screwdriver with a wrench to the on position, push the pin and slide the cylinder asy
out. Less than 30 seconds. There used to be a tool available to repo companies,
mechanics, and law enforcement for just this purpose.
 
G
#17 ·
On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 22:07:54 -0400, Tom Adkins
<newton5@remove.comcast.net> wrote:

>nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca wrote:
>> On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 06:50:45 -0400, Tom Adkins
>> <newton5@remove.comcast.net> wrote:
>>

>
> The tumblers are on the inner cylinder and surrounded by the cylinder barrel (all
>one assembly). The barrel is keyed heavily to the column and held in place by the
>pin. There's almost no way that forcing the cylinder around in the barrel can damage
>the column, it ain't going to turn. This destroys the lock cylinder assembly though.
>If you don't believe me, try it on your next trip to the boneyard. It works on all of
>the older style cylinders like in the Tempo, Gen I and II Taurus, pickups till about
>95 etc. Break off the wings first, tap the screwdriver in the slot, turn the
>screwdriver with a wrench to the on position, push the pin and slide the cylinder asy
>out. Less than 30 seconds. There used to be a tool available to repo companies,
>mechanics, and law enforcement for just this purpose.



You are right.
I was wrong - but I have done it with the punch numerous times.
 
G
#18 ·
nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca wrote:
>
>
>
> You are right.
> I was wrong - but I have done it with the punch numerous times.


Dang that sounds so contrite, not my intention at all Fred. Really. I'm embarrassed
now. No disrespect intended.
Every time I tried to drive the pin in, I, and everyone else in the shop, managed
to mangle the column. This was at Hertz Rent a Car, and we did a lot of them. One guy
used to burn the cylinder out with a torch!
The pin, by default, butts in to a steel ring on the inner cylinder except in the ON
position.(probably to prevent removal that way). We all bought "Bypass Keys" from the
Mac tool man and it was a 30 second operation after that. Mine disappeared and I've
been using the big screwdriver ever since. Try it sometime, it's pretty slick.

Regards, Tom
 
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