Well pretty much the title tells it all. I put the key in the ignition and it will not turn. Stuck. Just 5 minutes before I drove it down the block and parked it. Put the key in accessory position and it would not come out of it. Had to have the car towed home. This happened to me once before but it turned with slight pressure and it was all gravy. this time I used a little to much and actually broke the cheap plastic tabs on the tumbler(weird my old 86 had metal tabs rather than plastic). Has anyones ever gotten stuck like this? I think I have a spare vats tumbler and whole steering column somewhere, so I am going to replace the ignition module tomorrow. Can I just swap the ignition modules? Because the two wires that detect the VATS chip are cut now.

Will

 

All you will have to do is just change out the Ignition lock cylinder and run the wires down the steering column. If you have the key to the spare lock cylinder you are putting in, you will have to get it re-coded with the code that is in your old key or the VATS control module won't recognize it.

The Trickster!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

OK, so regardless of the fact that its a different key, I'm still gonna need the resistance from the key that came with the car unless I swap the VATS module as well? Just wanna make sure I got that right. I do have anothr ignition cylinder from another 89 with perfect wires and all. In the process of removing it from the donor column. And I will swing by the dealership tomorrow and have a couple keys made. Something I have been meaning to do for a long time...

thanks bro, please fill me in if I got anything wrong

Will

 

i had that problem in my 92 and it turns out i didn't have the shifter all the way into park. once i pushed into park the key came right out, but i jacked up the switch a little and don't have the accessory position anymore.

 

assuming you could get the old cylinder apart you could simply use the tumblers in it to rekey the other vats cylinder and re use your other vats key.. i did it before when i replaced my steering column (someone decided it would be neat to smash the **** out of it in a poor attempt at stealing my car) luckly they were smart enough to properly break into a third gen (pryed window back with their hand and unscrewed the antenna bent it on 90 degree angle and pushed the unlock button with it) and didn't smash my window.. they even left the antenna in the car.. just bent it back, screwed it back on good as new don't disable vats.. it saved my car.

 

It's a piece of cake Will, and didn't I send you some information on the VATS about two or three months ago?

The Trickster!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

if you have the vats module from the car the steering column came out of i'm pretty sure you can just swap the cylinder and the module and use the key for that cylinder.... otherwise just take both keys 2 the dealer and get the keys that match the resistance of the origional and have them cut to match the other key.. shouldnt be too much trouble, just dont mix the keys up! They may be a little expensive from the dealer, if you simply measure the resistance of your key you might be able to find uncut vats keys on e-bay pretty cheap, i've seen em for 10-15 bucks on there.. just a thought... good luck!

 

I went through this about 6 months ago. Left school on the last day, and headed up to a friends work got there and couldnt turn the car off!! Popped the hood unhooked the coil, drove around like that for 3 days. Visited my mechanic friend at the local chevy dealership he let me borrow the tools, and got me a discount on the ignition cylinder. I had to have the key cut out of the old cylinder so that they could read the resistence off of it to cut a new key for the new ignition. Cylinder cost $26 i think, and the key was $32 Doesnt seem right to pay that much for a key, but I had to have it.

 

Well all is well after about 6 hours of work. My steering wheel never locked as long as I have had the car, and I never really thougt about it that much, but came to find out that that little spring that pushes the lock pin out had snapped. It was caught in the teeth and would not allow the tumbler to turn. I had a spare 89 column, and removed that tumbler(this was all before I knew it was just the spring). Went to GM to have a replica of that key made with the chip code of my car/module. Key was a little sticky at first, but now its all gravy. Thanks for all the help fellas, I really appreciate it

Will

 

glad to hear it

 

strange. i am having the same problem with my 87 iroc. the key will move back into accesory but it wont move forward. changed the cylinder and it didnt work. tried the old cylinder when i took it out and it moves fine when its out. maybe i will check out this spring. my lock hasnt worked for a couple years either since the first time i tore it apart to tighten the column.

 

wow! thats what was wrong with mine too! im glad i thought to come here. thanks!

 

Glad you found the problem bro... I don't see how more of these don't break with age. Its a pretty sorry looking little thing

Will

 

Had a similiar thing happen to my 1992 Chevy PU. Has 411000 miles on it. Started it up and could not shift into any gear from park. Then I could not shut it off. Like was said above I had to lift the hood and unplug the coil wire. I had AAA tow it to a garage and it cost $85 for a new ignition module. I hate when things like that happen. Allen

 

norcalz28, we have the same car. mine is an 87 but they look almost the same. i have a louvre on the rear window but other than that they look identical. now things are getting wierd. same problem, on cars that look alike besides a 2 year difference. i am really glad you found that. i never would have noticed that. now i cant get my high beams to work. the little plastic piece isnt even close to the lever. i tried pushing it and nothing so i think something came apart somewhere else when i tore into it. one of these times when i have to tear the steering wheel apart i hope to get it back together right the first time. inspection runs out in may so i have some time. hopefully when its warmer out.

 

That little piece is a B@tCH!!! It took me about an hour or more to get that little thing to stay put, and then after all that, the spring had come loose and I had to do it all over again. It sucks, but just make sure the rod is in the highbeam switch first, makes it a little easier.
Could I see a pic of your ride??? Take care man

Will

 

i think something came unhooked. i pushed on the rod and still no highbeams. i will take a pic tomorrow for ya. might look a little rough since it has been snowing every other day lately and its covered in road salt. i really need to move.

 

Lol, right on. I just waxed mine today, and wouldn't you know its foggy as all hell tonight. Oh well. Lookin forward to seeing her

Will