Hey guys,

Im not sure if this is the right place.. ill shoot anyway.

Ill start by stating the car had been through a
attempted car jack in a parking lot, and tore up
my column (dont worry its a old situation).. so,
mostly everything inside the column is visible.

The tumbler just started acting up yesterday and
now refuses to start by a keyturn!! The key rotation
would get jammed 3/4 of the way to starting the car.

I can turn the key 1/2 way for power, and use
a screw driver, (I use the removable tilt lever)
to pull back the lever & start the car.. So, the
actuator itself isnt bad.

Its the turning mechanism in the key tumbler.

I removed the plastic gear, and fiddled
with the key, and the little bar the gear
fits unto was very loose, and I could feel
the bind happening inside that location. The
key housing is connected to the little bar
the gear fits unto.. The jam isnt the gear,
but, whatever actuates the gear to begin with.

Anyone familiar with the interworkings of
the column and what parts I need to get?

and most of all, how to remove the key housing
tumbler.. so I can investigate the damage?

I apoligize if the description is confusing,
Its very hard to find the correct words
and detail of this problem, hehe!

 

ur opening a can of worms if you have never rebuilt a key cylinder. they are rebuildable...you take it apart and take out the very small key notches and replace them with new ones in the exact same order. it can be very difficult for a beginner. i would suggest taking it to a dealer, theres a guy there who does them all the time. it may be an hour or two in labor...

 

Thanks for the advice.

Im will most likely replace the whole column due
to the chip the cover has endured. So, Everything
will have to be repaired/replaced.

Ive figure I could just slide out the key tumbler
and see what is jamming it up. But, I dont want
to screw things up more than they are.

Id like to be able to start it by key turn, but..
It doesnt look like that is going to happen soon

One more question, since this is my daily driver.

Is there any ill effects by pulling the main mechanism
manually? It performs what the key tumbler does not
at the moment. But I dont know if I am hurting anything.

The engine has barely got 2000miles on the crank,
and I cant even start it properly. Fix one thing, another
thing grenades on you!

Thanks for the info and warning