Ignition Cylinder removal problems

[fatcat92]

Just recently, in my 1979 K5 Blazer, I have been having problems with the ignition cylinder not being able to turn back enough for me to turn off the truck, and subsequently now it won't turn enough for me to start the truck, or allow me to push it into the off or accessory position.

So I checked the ignition switch on top of the column and it is fine, the slide moves back and forth nicely. So now I have torn down the steering wheel column to the point where I want to take off the housing for the turn signal switches, but I cannot for the life of me get the damn lock cylinder out! It does not use a screw for the cylinder so I think I have to turn it to accessory to get access to the tab, and there is absolutely no way for me to do that.

Is there something I am missing? Do I have to drill out the cylinder maybe?

[cnorth]

I would have you look at restoring rusty thread starting somewhere around page 50 something you might find the answer

[fatcat92]

Problem is he got his out somehow mine is stuck hard

[Liberty]

There should be 3 or 4 screws in there to remove that cover, one goes to the cylinder too.

[jermasaurus]

There should definitely be a screw holding it in place. T20 torx strew I think. Can you take a pic with better lighting?

Should be in this area. Black screw usually

[fatcat92]

There's no screw there

[fatcat92]

[fatcat92]

I'm almost ready to just do away with the key and hook up something on dash this is really stupid no way that thing will come out. Even if I drill it all the stuff inside is stuck so wouldn't it just stay stuck? Really at a loss here

[franken]

https://www.google.com/search?q=GM+k...ove&gws_rd=ssl

[cadillac_al]

We had a good long thread about this about 1-2 months ago. I forget the title but it had some good pics explaining the process. I hope they didn't change the switch from 76-79 because yours looks a little different than mine. Maybe it's just dirty or something.

[Titomars]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

We had a good long thread about this about 1-2 months ago. I forget the title but it had some good pics explaining the process. I hope they didn't change the switch from 76-79 because yours looks a little different than mine. Maybe it's just dirty or something.

the cylinder retention is different starting in 79. they went from a spring loaded clip to a bolt. It appears he has removed the bolt so the cylinder should come out.

[fatcat92]

Originally Posted by Titomars

the cylinder retention is different starting in 79. they went from a spring loaded clip to a bolt. It appears he has removed the bolt so the cylinder should come out.

Does the cylinder have to be turned a certain way? Because there was no bolt and certainly no spot for a bolt. All I took out was those three screws for the turn signal switch housing. In any case, I have rigged up 2 switches I already had in the dash, one that turns accessories on other starts the starter.

[Titomars]

Originally Posted by fatcat92

Does the cylinder have to be turned a certain way? Because there was no bolt and certainly no spot for a bolt. All I took out was those three screws for the turn signal switch housing. In any case, I have rigged up 2 switches I already had in the dash, one that turns accessories on other starts the starter.

From what I remember the bolt is directly to the right (pass side) of the key minder switch. A square hole in your photos which also seems to be missing.
This would be the same place as the old style clip type is accessed.

[fatcat92]

Well, it certainly did not want to come out. Maybe I should have gotten a little more persuasive with it? I did try prying it and jiggling the hell out of it. I really wish I took it out when it was moving properly not two weeks ago.

[motornut]

with that screw out it should be out
some have a contact in this square for the key buzzer.
I've seen shifters get out wack to the NSS ,prevents it from turning back.

[mattcrp1]

I had a hellava' time removing the cylinder on my '76. I understand yours is a '79 and it is different. What does the new one look like? Once I got the new one I got a better understanding of how to get my old one out.

Good luck

[Jonboy]

It looks like your column may have been changed. It looks like you have a cylinder that is held in with a clip. You can see the clip still in place in the blown up picture. the two slots that are together, the clip looks like it is in the left one. Try that and see if the cylinder comes out.

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

It looks like your column may have been changed. It looks like you have a cylinder that is held in with a clip. You can see the clip still in place in the blown up picture. the two slots that are together, the clip looks like it is in the left one. Try that and see if the cylinder comes out.

Agreed, it's a clip type column. I converted mine from the clip type to a newer bolt type column when I had a part break. Push in the clip with a really small screwdriver or pick tool and the cylinder will be free to come out. I think I circled the correct slo, but it may be the one to the right. It's one or the other and pretty easy to do.

[fatcat92]

I have already been jamming stuff in there best thing I used was a bent safety pin but I could not feel anything inside. Does it have to be turned to access the tab on the cylinder? Cause mines jammed in place

[cadillac_al]

As I was looking at these pics again I realized it is the clip type like mine. Glad to see somebody already caught that. I used a steak knife and kept poking and stabbing at it. It seemed if I just pushed on it, it was pushing too far or something and no way it would come out. I tried to hook my slide hammer on it but was unsuccessful. Once I calmed down and started poking at it for about 10 minutes I got the lucky combination and it slid out.