Ignition Key Mechanism

[bolokid]

Can someone tell me how to remove/exchange the key lock mechanism in the ignition switch? The key will turn ON and START but will not turn off any farther than the ACC position, leaving the radio on.

Thanks.

[WmWatt]

You could try lubricating the switch by spraying WD-40 or similar ino the keyhole and working it around with the key.

[ryanprins13]

Ignition Key Mechanism

Or sometimes doing a good shot of solvent first then silicon lube clears things up. The key cylinder needs to be pushed in to go from ac to off and sometimes junk can get stuck in there preventing the cylinder from pushing in. Pressurized solvent like brake cleaner can sometimes remove it.
Back when i still brought my cars to shops I had a mechanic rip my key out while it was in ac (guess pushing in was a foreign idea) so now my key is removable in any position. Yay. If i turn left too hard i have to go looking for my keys on the passenger side floor.


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[bolokid]

OK, so the plot thickens......I sprayed out the key hole with brake cleaner followed by WD40 and sure enough the key turned off and the radio turned off. This is the first time the key has been off since I took possession of the car about a year ago. Now here's a new problem, the key won't turn out of the LOCK position. It is as though it is the wrong key, it will not turn on. I have tried spraying inside the lock with more brake cleaner, more WD40 and with a silicon spray and still the key will not turn from the LOCK position. What's next?

[fastivaca]

Have you tried turning the steering wheel while attempting to turn the key? I've had it happen a few times where the steering lock mechanism is too tight but a slight turn of the wheel frees things up.
Ian

[1990new]

The is a small rectangular metal billet that gets pushed up in to a slot in the steering column when you turn the swith off and pull out the key.
This is a picture of underneath Rosie's ignition. I think someone had the same problem that you did and ended up drilling out the locking mechanism that pushes the billet up. The ignition works fine but the steering wheel no longer locks.

[bolokid]

I got frustrated trying to get the ignition mechanism in the LX to work so I had a steering column from a 93 in the garage and I swapped it out. The column with the switch out of the 93 works fine but seems like the steering wheel is closer to the seat now. I used the steering wheel from the LX with the 93 steering column. It could just be my legs are fatter than I realize. Now I have to swap out the door locks in order to match the key to the ignition switch. It is almost ready to sell.

[jfd64]

If you do find you need to replace the ignition switch,remove steering wheel,plastic covers,pull combo switch.Unscrew wiring harness and pop small plastic piece from bottom.It will appear to have 2 rivets on top.They are bolts with round heads.I take a smaller flat screw driver and hammer to get these to move until I can move them by hand.2-3 hr swap out

[1990new]

If you do find you need to replace the ignition switch,remove steering wheel,plastic covers,pull combo switch.Unscrew wiring harness and pop small plastic piece from bottom.It will appear to have 2 rivets on top.They are bolts with round heads.I take a smaller flat screw driver and hammer to get these to move until I can move them by hand.2-3 hr swap out

Good description... I might add, if you happen to have a dremel tool with a cutting wheels, cutting a slot across the bolt that you can fit a screw driver in will come in real handy.