Ignition Lock Removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

6772owner · 11-23-2011, 10:33 PM

Hello everyone, I usually spend most of my time in the 67-72' sections, but I have recently purchased an 03' Avalanche 1500 and I need help.

I have the issue of not being able to turn the ignition key most of the time, I have heard that its the tumblers/lock sticking. I purchased a new ignition cylinder/keys for the truck, I searched around for the "how to" on this procedure. It appears that I am just supposed to be able to remove the covers, push the pin down and pull the cylinder out... well I tried that and cant seem to get the dang thing out. I am usually very capable, but I feel belittled by this dang ignition. Can someone give me some tips?

I tried a pick and an allen wrench, I am told to insert the tool into the top of the ignition housing (there is a hole there) and push down. Well I put the key in the run position and attempted this, but I can seem to get anything to budge. Any help is much appreciated...

clinebarger · 12-03-2011, 12:48 AM

The key has to be in the run positon, I know you tried that to.

Try a small hammer & lightly tap on the allen wrench.....The lock chould be stuck.

Heres a picture to help

6772owner · 12-04-2011, 03:41 PM

Ok thank you, yes I had the key in the run position, I could not feel any "give" by hand. I will try encouraging it some more then, I was just scared I was doing something incorrectly with how easy this is supposed to be.

I appreciate the advice and will post my results when i dig into it again.

**richard2717** · 12-04-2011, 07:19 PM

I thought I was going to have to replace the ignition in mine as well since the key would not turn most of the time. Come to find out my key was worn down enough that it was not ingaging all of the tumblers. I went to the dealership and had them cut me a new key for 5 bucks and everything works like a charm now.
Richard

6772owner · 12-04-2011, 07:42 PM

Thanks Richard, I will try that, I need to have a spare or two cut anyway. The dealer only had one for it when I bought it.
Posted via Mobile Device

**richard2717** · 12-04-2011, 08:01 PM

dont cut it from the key you have or it wont help. Have the dealer cut it from scratch. You will need your registration card or have the truck with you for proof of ownership before they will do it.

Richard

6772owner · 12-17-2011, 10:57 AM

Ok everyone, with some help the new lock cylinder is in and works great! The release latch on mine was just past the run position so thats why I couldnt get it out... I had inspected my key and it wasnt worn so I figured it had to be the tumblers. I appreciate all the help fella's!
Posted via Mobile Device

11-23-2011, 10:33 PM	#1
6772owner Gearhead Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,193	Ignition Lock Removal Hello everyone, I usually spend most of my time in the 67-72' sections, but I have recently purchased an 03' Avalanche 1500 and I need help. I have the issue of not being able to turn the ignition key most of the time, I have heard that its the tumblers/lock sticking. I purchased a new ignition cylinder/keys for the truck, I searched around for the "how to" on this procedure. It appears that I am just supposed to be able to remove the covers, push the pin down and pull the cylinder out... well I tried that and cant seem to get the dang thing out. I am usually very capable, but I feel belittled by this dang ignition. Can someone give me some tips? I tried a pick and an allen wrench, I am told to insert the tool into the top of the ignition housing (there is a hole there) and push down. Well I put the key in the run position and attempted this, but I can seem to get anything to budge. Any help is much appreciated... __________________ 2002 Saturn SL2, My D/D 2019 Ford Fusion SE, Ecoboost - Wife's D/D 1993 Camaro Z28, A4, CAI, Cat-Back Exhaust Project C10 (my 72' C10 w/96' LT1, 700R4, bagged F&R, 18's (for now), Short/Fleet) -- SOLD! Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313644 Last edited by 6772owner; 11-23-2011 at 10:34 PM. Reason: text

12-03-2011, 12:48 AM	#2
clinebarger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 6,370	Re: Ignition Lock Removal The key has to be in the run positon, I know you tried that to. Try a small hammer & lightly tap on the allen wrench.....The lock chould be stuck. Heres a picture to help Attached Images

12-04-2011, 03:41 PM	#3
6772owner Gearhead Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,193	Re: Ignition Lock Removal Ok thank you, yes I had the key in the run position, I could not feel any "give" by hand. I will try encouraging it some more then, I was just scared I was doing something incorrectly with how easy this is supposed to be. I appreciate the advice and will post my results when i dig into it again. __________________ 2002 Saturn SL2, My D/D 2019 Ford Fusion SE, Ecoboost - Wife's D/D 1993 Camaro Z28, A4, CAI, Cat-Back Exhaust Project C10 (my 72' C10 w/96' LT1, 700R4, bagged F&R, 18's (for now), Short/Fleet) -- SOLD! Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313644

12-04-2011, 07:19 PM	#4
richard2717 Equal opportunity joke ofender Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Eastern Shore of MD Posts: 10,126	Re: Ignition Lock Removal I thought I was going to have to replace the ignition in mine as well since the key would not turn most of the time. Come to find out my key was worn down enough that it was not ingaging all of the tumblers. I went to the dealership and had them cut me a new key for 5 bucks and everything works like a charm now. Richard __________________ Members I have met. Dually Jams, OlBlue60, ScottH, Tommyboy24, Dujobo, Warbucket, 2003 Silverado, Notsolo, my90k5, 6t727t2, Special-K ,Jack_71C10, tabarcus,72blazer_mud_bogger,pwdcougar,RSavage,EricSean,1Rippen6,invicta455,tennaragtop71,arks, Kendal,Bennett68C10, Perpendicular, Chainsawman, McGeesCustomMinis,ShortbedClayton,longblue72,6768chevylover,Tim71,Travisarmenta,Ol' Drippy,fleetmitch,georgieb51,Dave,bcnya2,Dadsburb https://paypal.me/6772GMtruckparts Most women like the strong, silent type… Fortunately for me, my wife prefers the out-of-shape, mouthy type.

12-04-2011, 07:42 PM	#5
6772owner Gearhead Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,193	Re: Ignition Lock Removal Thanks Richard, I will try that, I need to have a spare or two cut anyway. The dealer only had one for it when I bought it. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2002 Saturn SL2, My D/D 2019 Ford Fusion SE, Ecoboost - Wife's D/D 1993 Camaro Z28, A4, CAI, Cat-Back Exhaust Project C10 (my 72' C10 w/96' LT1, 700R4, bagged F&R, 18's (for now), Short/Fleet) -- SOLD! Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313644

12-04-2011, 08:01 PM	#6
richard2717 Equal opportunity joke ofender Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Eastern Shore of MD Posts: 10,126	Re: Ignition Lock Removal dont cut it from the key you have or it wont help. Have the dealer cut it from scratch. You will need your registration card or have the truck with you for proof of ownership before they will do it. Richard __________________ Members I have met. Dually Jams, OlBlue60, ScottH, Tommyboy24, Dujobo, Warbucket, 2003 Silverado, Notsolo, my90k5, 6t727t2, Special-K ,Jack_71C10, tabarcus,72blazer_mud_bogger,pwdcougar,RSavage,EricSean,1Rippen6,invicta455,tennaragtop71,arks, Kendal,Bennett68C10, Perpendicular, Chainsawman, McGeesCustomMinis,ShortbedClayton,longblue72,6768chevylover,Tim71,Travisarmenta,Ol' Drippy,fleetmitch,georgieb51,Dave,bcnya2,Dadsburb https://paypal.me/6772GMtruckparts Most women like the strong, silent type… Fortunately for me, my wife prefers the out-of-shape, mouthy type.

12-17-2011, 10:57 AM	#7
6772owner Gearhead Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,193	Re: Ignition Lock Removal Ok everyone, with some help the new lock cylinder is in and works great! The release latch on mine was just past the run position so thats why I couldnt get it out... I had inspected my key and it wasnt worn so I figured it had to be the tumblers. I appreciate all the help fella's! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2002 Saturn SL2, My D/D 2019 Ford Fusion SE, Ecoboost - Wife's D/D 1993 Camaro Z28, A4, CAI, Cat-Back Exhaust Project C10 (my 72' C10 w/96' LT1, 700R4, bagged F&R, 18's (for now), Short/Fleet) -- SOLD! Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313644

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