The key is gone... Now I know I have to pull the steering wheel..the turn signals..and the cylinder screw. The Chiltons manual says the lock has to be in the run position . How can I do this without the key. There must be a way to do this without having the key. Could anyone help me out here please. It looks pretrty simple except for the "run position"
PS. Vats is no longer an issue. This is the second cylinder, I just didnt do the first.

 

You either need the key or you need to pick it open. On most cylinders you need to have the cylinder in the "run" position to depress the little pin to release the cylinder.

 

Now that is a bummer! Can a locksmith make a key for my existing cylinder?

 

You obviously don't need the cyllinder anymore...

just destroy it... drill it or use a bf screwdriver...

the key cyllinder has 2 little plastic tabs that drop down and are fixed in place unless the key is in the run position...

I'm sure you could punch them out pretty easy with a screwdriver and a hammer... if you get it appart you'll see what I mean...

 

Destroying it is one option and yes a locksmith can get the key codes of the cylinder itself and cut you one. If you still have vats he'll also need a vats interrogator to figure that end out. But around here it would run you about $130 to have someone make you one.

 

If VATS is no longer an issue, just go out and get a regular lock cylinder and put it in. And no the lock cylinder does not have to be in the run position to remove it. It is helpful but not neccessary. BTW, the regular lock cylinder will fit in your steering column with out any problems.

 

vats measures the resistance in the key... and the ecm gets this info from 2 wires that go from the key cyllinder to the wiring harness and onto the ECM...

Now suppose you measured the resistance of the resistor..

and those 2 wires go to a plug that's with all the other wires from he steering column....

say you unplug that, cut them off the key cyllinder... and with some solder, and some resistors... I think you get my meaning

then it would just work with a regular key/lock cyllinder

btw, if this post is a 'bad' post, I apologize, remove it...

 

Well Vats is no longer an issue....Guess what I will do is take the steering collum (sp) apart as described in the chiltons, then go from there. I dont have a problem with braking stuff when removing. I just want to be able to replace it with a new unit. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

 

If I want just a normal cylinder that would work. What year and car should i ask for? Seems without that I cant get anything around here. Or is it just a GM non vats cylinder? Guess what Im asking here is what do I ask for when I get to the Zone.

 

Just a regular GM Non-VATS lock cylinder will work.

 

thanks trickster. Looks like about 12 bucks. Thanks again guys!