Okay guys, wait until you hear this story. I let my buddy drive my car(mistake #1) Somewhere along the line of him having it he broke my ignition key!!!!! So what does he do? he super glues it back togetgher!!!! So when i get my keys back i had no idea(i usually dont inspect my keys) So i put the key in and drove home, but when i go to take they key out, only half of the thing came out. After calling and screaming at him, he told me what had happened. So now i have half a key super glued in my ignition. How doi get it out?

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1991 Firebird
3.1 Liter
T-Tops

 

You're going to need to disassemble the steering column just to replace the lock cylinder. Bad news and go hit your "friend" across the head REAL hard .

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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

I could tell you how to get the key out of the plug. But the only problem is nutralizing the super glue. I don't have a remedy for that.

 

you COULD try to arc weld the key back together but this would be a last resort ONLY. You would need need to unhook most of your electronics to be safe. Unplug your alternator (and the cable going to the battery but don't do this until the battery is unplugged). Mind you, this probably won't work but it's worth a shot.
Once you have your ecm unplugged I would do the following if you promis not to get pissed if it doesn't work.
Hook up the negative of the battery but unhook the positive. Now get some heavy guage wire or jumper cables (can you tell this is ******* yet ). You're going to need to make sure the key doesn't touch any other metal until it gets to the broken off piece!!! This is very important or you'll have a even harder time getting it out after you've welded the key to the inside of the cylinder. You'll want to attach the positive wire to the key and WEAR A GLOVE (doesn't have to be huge). Next you'll want to be ready to "touch" the broken off piece with the key and then after you hear the spark take off the wire! You need to do this VERY fast so you don't get things super hot .
Remember, I have NEVER done this but my brain was thinking for a few hours about it if that's any comfort. You shouldn't hurt anything because it's basically like shorting out a wire, it'll get super hot if left without a fuse. If you've blown a fuse before while playing with wires you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
If you do this, let me know how it goes. If the key gets stuck do the cylinder then a few good taps with something heavy should break it loose to try again, or give up, depending....
Good luck and if it makes you feel better, I would probably try this method myself if I was in your shoes. But remember, this has never been tested so don't blaim me for any problems encountered!!

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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

I just noticed you've got VATS, I don't know what this might do to the module but I think it'll be okay as long as you don't have any power going to the fuse block and only the key.

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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

Depending on how much of the key is still in there, I would try to get the smallest drill bit I could find (like a 1/32") and slowly drill into the key deep enough to get some bite into it to bind the drill bit & pull it out. The shavings can be sucked out with a vacuum. Otherwise,, you'll have to pull the steering wheel & take the cylinder out to get it.

Arc isn't a bad idea, but keys aren't made out of metal, they are usually a softer metla like brass. Plus,, that would take one steady hand to keep from arcing to the cylinder itself. Kind of like that old game where you had to pull stuff out of the patient using tweezers w/o making his nose light

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92 25th annv. camaro
midnight black
stock 305 tbi
t-tops

89 camaro
carburated 305
bored .030 over
flat top pistons
bigger valves
heads and block shaved
spoiler
tinted windowshuge white chevy symbol on back
92 stock rims
92 ground effects
www.geocities.com/thirdgenerationcamaro

 

Two basic tools................1. Jigsaw blade 2. A file......File or gring a jigsaw blade to a point and file it to make it as thin as possible. With the teeth of the jigsaw blade facing down insert the jigsaw blade into the cylinder, trying to rake the teeth on the jigsaw blade on the cuts on the key blank pulling it out towards you.

 

the best way to do it is to take the column apart, which isn't actually the easiest thing to do, you need a wheel puller, and a column lock tool. I had that happen to me, but I had the tools I needed. Once you can get the lock cylinder out, you can push the key out with a small wire from the back. Otherwise, the hacksaw trick may work, just don't break off the piece of blade, it's hardened steel, and will snap pretty easily. Most garages have the tools you need/can get the tools.

 

Thanks guys, i ahd to pull the wheel, but i did get it out. My buddy is paying for 2 brand new keys!! thanks for all your help.

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1991 Firebird
3.1 Liter
T-Tops

 

heh, why didn't you just leave they key in there if it works?

 

That reminds me of years ago when I intentionally ground nearly all of the head off and kinda contoured it to blend in with switch. The switch was black so I also painted the end of the key. Left just enough material so I could pick it out, if necessary.

Hated to carry keys around in my pocket.

 

but did you lock it?

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90 RS 305 tbi, 4 3/4" cowl Hood, Edelbrock TES headers, Flowmaster exhaust, Crane roller cam, comp roller rockers, vortec heads/intake, ported tbi, w/new injectors, 1 inch tbi spacer, air foil, 14x4 k&n flat base air cleaner, Rebuilt 700r4 w/ B&M shift kit, B&M Megashifter, 3.23 posi, 2 12 RF's with mtx amp, top of line alpine cd player, soon to have 90-91 gfx, z-28 wing, new paintjob, rims, and all new lowered suspension. MSD probillet distributer, and coil in the mail

 

That buddy would be paying a doctor bill if it were me.

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87 TA, 305 TPI, Custom CAI, ACCEL 8mm wires,ACCEL Super-coil, ACCEL Plugs, JET TPI Airfoil, Cherry Bomb Muffler
"35 yr old helo pilot
with a cool new toy my 17 yr old son wants"
The Phoenix Project..click to see my project car
Trans Am stuff and GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!!!!!

 

I would of hooked up a strong magnet to the key to pull out the other broken peice, unfortunatly it was glued in this case.

>did you know a new lock cylinder with that resister on the key cost $90.00 ?

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89 Formula Firebird
Red with T-tops
5.0 305 FI
Soon to be a 400sb.

 

what does that resistor on the key do? i have always wondered that.

 

Keys aren't magnetic.