Ok well everytime I fix one part of my 1990 camaro iroc it seems another part messes up on me. This time it's the key. I checked other threads and all those solutions failed. I guess a major difference is that with everyone else the key didnt turn all the way back. Mine won't turn At ALL. it can be turned forward a couple centimeters as if starting the engine but it will not turn back. I checked the tranny cable under the car, tried turning the wheel a bit, took it in and out of park, funny thing is the steering wheel will not lock either. Anyways...can anyone give some help? and if i need a new cylinder and key, is it hard to replace on your own?

 

Im curious to see the answer here... my ignition switch is getting worse and worse over itme, so I'm headed down that same road.

I actually took a close look at my keys and realized they were both slightly bent so I got some strong pliers and pressed them straight again. Helped a little bit. I'd guess that you're beyond that by now, though. I just did it to make mine last longer.

You may end up swapping the column out with one from another car. Thats the worst case scenario, but at least it's fixable.

 

Lock cylinder needs replaced. I had the same problem, key would turn and engine would not start and later the key would not turn at all. I had the lock cylinder replaced with new keys and that cured the problem. 20+ years of starting the car just wore itself out.

 

i had the same problem so i took my column apart and on the opposite side of the column to the keyhole theres a gear (attached to the lock) and track that moves well anyway to make a long story short a piece of the column had broken off and gotten jammed behind the track preventing it form turning im not talking about the plastic column housing just the metal one inside of that what everything is bolted onto., if you could see it i would be able to explain it better, hope that helps abit

 

Lock cylinder not that hard to replace - you can get them at Carquest pretty cheap. You'll need a steering wheel puller (free rental at Autozone), and you'll need to disengage the airbag BEFORE anything else.

The new lock will come with a key to get copies of - you'll need the old key to get copies made, as you'll need to have the chip in the old key matched for a new key (the resistor for the VATS). Most Ace Hardware stores can make new keys with chips for $24.95 (alot less than most dealers). Or, you could wire in the resistor under the column (5 for $1 at Radio Shack), and bypass the chip/VATS system (tech article on this).

If your airbag is starting to peel away around the edges like most do, this would be a great time to swap in a 4th gen wheel - I put one in my 1990 car. They look nice, have alot less age, and the airbags stay better secured in the wheel. The only difference between a 3rd gen wheel and a 4th gen wheel is the connector for the airbag - 4th gen wheels have a smaller connector - you'll need to get the smaller column-side connector from the donor car, or cut the larger wheel-side connector off your old wheel (or skip the connectors - just solder the wires).

 

My ignition switch went out and i left my car running for 5 hours as i took my truck to go buy a new one. Ironically i found a brand new one at the wrecking yard in the gm box in the trunk of a camaro. It was even the vats i needed too!

 

I have the same problem... I have to leave my car in the accessories position all the time with the choke light on, And I have to stall my car to turn it off.

 

Dealer is best, not that expensive. I payed $34.28 from the dealer, took less than a week but i got it and it works. You have to get the right resistance or else it doesn't work. As for the airbag just get one from a donor or replace with a another wheel. Just use CAUTION!!!!!!!!

 

"My ignition switch went out and i left my car running for 5 hours as i took my truck to go buy a new one. Ironically i found a brand new one at the wrecking yard in the gm box in the trunk of a camaro. It was even the vats i needed too!"

Why wouldn't you just plug the throttle body with your hand?

And it's a 20 minute job to change that ignition cylinder, unless of course you don't have a key, then you have to drill out the hardened steel pin.