Just purchased a 92 RS Convertible and the key is broken off in the ignition switch. Fortunately I can drive the car just because the way the key is broken the chip still goes into the switch correctly. My question is, what's the best way to fix this. Autozone sells the switch for the 92's that have the VATS wires attached. Is this a plug and play unit, or do I still have to bypass the VATS? Or can I get a switch for say a 1989 Camaro without the VATS and do the bypass I see on this forum? Thanks for the help.

 

you can remove the steering wheel and the lock out cam and all that stuff. very easy. if you can get a haynes manual there is a complete walk through of it. then turn the ignition to run and there will be a small pin inside the column you can push in and the whole lock cylinder assembly will slide right out. new one slides right in. the whole process shouldn't even take 30 minutes. I've done it on my f150, a friends 87 Jimmy, a 95 saturn, and many more...the process is always simple.

 

these pages will help you out.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8844/page1zu0.png

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9280/page2ve3.png

You'll also need a steering wheel puller. if you don't have one, autozone rents them out.

 

Thanks for the pics! Now if I can figure out which switch I need to get.

 

let me know if you need anymore help with it.

 

How about removing the broken portion of key and use a spare key? Get another VATS key made from it so you still have a spare. If you can't handle removing the key have a locksmith do it.

Lon

 

89 had VATS also.

If there is VATS wires on the one from AZ why would you think you need to bypass the VATS system?

Get the one listed for your car and install it. They arent going to make one for your year make and model that is going to force you to BYPASS factory stuff.

 

I don't have a spare key for the car, and I can't get the broken part out. Well, not with the switch still in the column. I'm gonna pull the switch and see what I can do. I didn't realize 89's had the VATS also, I was mainly trying to ask should I put in a non-VATS switch in since so many people seem to have problems with it. I'm gonna pull the switch tomorrow and see what I can do. Thanks for the replys.

 

It sounds as if you can still start the car and drive it to a locksmith. If it were me I'd leave it to a professional, especially considering a locksmith can handle both removing the key (he's got special tools you don't). He can also read your chip and cut you a new VATS key.

Good luck,

Lon

 

that would probably be your best bet actualy. My truck got stolen last year and when the police found it, there were no keys. I poped the ignition cylinder out so I could start it with a screw driver then just put a new one in. but I still didn't have keys for the locks(just got the truck and didn't get spares yet). took it to a locksmith and he cut me a new key for only $15.

 

I know this is extremely late but I have now fixed my ignition switch. Car has been sitting for a while. After reading through all the threads I decided to bypass the VATS. Checked the key and it had about 10.70ohms resistance. Sautered in a resistor. Went through the junkpile in the barn and found a late 80's Cavalier steering column and used the switch out of it. Works great! Thanks for the help guys.

 

Maybe I'm missing something but will a magnet work? Ha just a suggestion.