Need help punching out ignition cylinder - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**crossy** · 05-11-2007, 05:42 PM

I know there are plenty of 10 year olds in the city that know how to do this , but with all my parting out I really don't have much experience with punching out the ignition. I NORMALLY avoid trucks with no keys. I need to get the ignition to turn and don't have keys. It's an 80's parts truck. SUPPOSEDLY you just drill a hole in the center and use the ears to turn it???? On TV they use a slide hammer.
somebody give me a step by step please. the truck is in a remote field so any tools will have to be hand tools or battery operated. I have pretty much any tool here. I do have a slide hammer too.
need to get the truck Sunday so need to know ASAP. thanx,crossy

Jonboy · 05-11-2007, 06:12 PM

Dave, the rack is on the left side, just behind the turn signal lever. you can break the column there to get it to start, and pull really hard on the wheel to break the lock. I would imagine the cylinder would come out via slide hammer also.

Pyrotechnic · 05-11-2007, 06:44 PM

I don't know how to steal one, but I DO know how to put in a NEW lock cylinder. All you have to do is go to the parts store and get a new cylinder and it will come with a new set of keys. It's about $20-$25.

Once you have the steering wheel and lock plate pulled, there is a slot that you insert a flat blade screw driver into. If the truck has never had the lock cylinder changed, there is a thin piece of pot metal that you punch out. Once you punch through the metal, you will hit the release tab. Push on it, and you should be able to grab the cylinder and pull it out.

If you only need to start it up temporarily, you can find the ignition switch at the lower top of the steering column under the dash. The lock cylinder pushes on a rod that pushed operates this switch. Once you get it down, just use a screwdriver to operate it.

Srubydo1986 · 05-11-2007, 06:55 PM

Y so all the new parts and such? when you remove the lock as if you were to replace it just put a screw driver in the hole and turn truck shoud turn. The lock for iginition is a flate head screw driver with a key need to make it turn. Just a thought.

**crossy** · 05-11-2007, 10:54 PM

Once you have the steering wheel and lock plate pulled, there is a slot that you insert a flat blade screw driver into. If the truck has never had the lock cylinder changed, there is a thin piece of pot metal that you punch out. Once you punch through the metal, you will hit the release tab. Push on it, and you should be able to grab the cylinder and pull it out.

I think I'll take all the stuff i need to pull the wheel and just remove the whole cylinder. I wanted to make it a 2 minute ordeal in the field and then fix it once home, but nothing is ever that simple for me anyway.

xtreme80 · 05-12-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossy

Once you have the steering wheel and lock plate pulled, there is a slot that you insert a flat blade screw driver into. If the truck has never had the lock cylinder changed, there is a thin piece of pot metal that you punch out. Once you punch through the metal, you will hit the release tab. Push on it, and you should be able to grab the cylinder and pull it out.

I think I'll take all the stuff i need to pull the wheel and just remove the whole cylinder. I wanted to make it a 2 minute ordeal in the field and then fix it once home, but nothing is ever that simple for me anyway.

Just so you know, on the 70's style trucks, there is a slot that you have to push a pick through. On an 80's style, it's more than likely just gonna be a simple screw holding it in.

xtreme80 · 05-12-2007, 01:23 PM

Also, you'll need not only a steering wheel puller, but also the tool to get the lock key off from behind the wheel. Then you need a pick to pull out the clip that holds that in. Once that's done, there will be 3 screws holding on the turn signal switch. Remove those, slide the switch over the top of the shaft, and that should give you all the access you need to the lock cylinder.

lurch115 · 05-13-2007, 01:05 AM

take a cordless drill and about a 1/2 inch drill bit with you....drill into the center of the lock cylinder and the tumblers should fall out....then you'll be able to turn the lock cylinder and start the truck....

have you tried to see if the lock cylinder will turn without the key??? or try using key from another truck in it....i've seen alot of that style of lock cylinder work with one or the other of those 2 methods

ureckme · 05-13-2007, 05:17 AM

What if it's not tilt column. you have to take the whole column out.

**crossy** · 05-14-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ureckme

What if it's not tilt column. you have to take the whole column out.

whatttttt??

It's a non tilt , I removed the steering wheel, lock plate, plastic shield, 3 screws for T/S cam, 1 screw holding 4 way button. 1 screw holding t/s arm, lift T/S cam up and remove HEX HEAD SCREW holding tumbler assembly in. remove tumbler and replace or in my case just reinstall the T/S cam and just the steering wheel. i can now turn the ign. with a pair of long needle nose and steer the truck. got it home last night, thanx crossy.

Pyrotechnic · 05-14-2007, 01:34 PM

I'm guessing it's an 80's truck ?

I've only ever done it on my 78 and it was push through release tab. Good to hear that you got it out.

05-11-2007, 05:42 PM	#1
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	Need help punching out ignition cylinder I know there are plenty of 10 year olds in the city that know how to do this , but with all my parting out I really don't have much experience with punching out the ignition. I NORMALLY avoid trucks with no keys. I need to get the ignition to turn and don't have keys. It's an 80's parts truck. SUPPOSEDLY you just drill a hole in the center and use the ears to turn it???? On TV they use a slide hammer. somebody give me a step by step please. the truck is in a remote field so any tools will have to be hand tools or battery operated. I have pretty much any tool here. I do have a slide hammer too. need to get the truck Sunday so need to know ASAP. thanx,crossy __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

05-11-2007, 06:12 PM	#2
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Need help ppunching out ignition cylinder Dave, the rack is on the left side, just behind the turn signal lever. you can break the column there to get it to start, and pull really hard on the wheel to break the lock. I would imagine the cylinder would come out via slide hammer also.

05-11-2007, 06:44 PM	#3
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Need help ppunching out ignition cylinder I don't know how to steal one, but I DO know how to put in a NEW lock cylinder. All you have to do is go to the parts store and get a new cylinder and it will come with a new set of keys. It's about $20-$25. Once you have the steering wheel and lock plate pulled, there is a slot that you insert a flat blade screw driver into. If the truck has never had the lock cylinder changed, there is a thin piece of pot metal that you punch out. Once you punch through the metal, you will hit the release tab. Push on it, and you should be able to grab the cylinder and pull it out. If you only need to start it up temporarily, you can find the ignition switch at the lower top of the steering column under the dash. The lock cylinder pushes on a rod that pushed operates this switch. Once you get it down, just use a screwdriver to operate it.

05-11-2007, 06:55 PM	#4
Srubydo1986 The Crazy Machanic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nokesville Va Posts: 1,437	Re: Need help ppunching out ignition cylinder Y so all the new parts and such? when you remove the lock as if you were to replace it just put a screw driver in the hole and turn truck shoud turn. The lock for iginition is a flate head screw driver with a key need to make it turn. Just a thought. __________________ 1986 Sliverado longbed 400 small block mean as hell, 700r4 trans (5 speed coming one day) 1970 chevelle 2dr sedan Latest update June 24 2007. *1957 4 door stationwagon - pink all original needing a good restore (body great, floors bad) newest additions 1965 shortbed fleet great granddads. Been told im nuts to bring it back from the dead (still going to happen) plans-all stock with a turbo 292 inline 3 speed column shift. and thats it big block 427 and 5 speed trans and ford 9 inch theyhave no home yet thinking what to put them in and a 79 c60 trash truck um no idea i have one

05-11-2007, 10:54 PM	#5
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	Re: Need help ppunching out ignition cylinder Once you have the steering wheel and lock plate pulled, there is a slot that you insert a flat blade screw driver into. If the truck has never had the lock cylinder changed, there is a thin piece of pot metal that you punch out. Once you punch through the metal, you will hit the release tab. Push on it, and you should be able to grab the cylinder and pull it out. I think I'll take all the stuff i need to pull the wheel and just remove the whole cylinder. I wanted to make it a 2 minute ordeal in the field and then fix it once home, but nothing is ever that simple for me anyway. __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

05-12-2007, 01:23 PM	#7
xtreme80 Wishin' I had more money! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 1,242	Re: Need help ppunching out ignition cylinder Also, you'll need not only a steering wheel puller, but also the tool to get the lock key off from behind the wheel. Then you need a pick to pull out the clip that holds that in. Once that's done, there will be 3 screws holding on the turn signal switch. Remove those, slide the switch over the top of the shaft, and that should give you all the access you need to the lock cylinder.

05-13-2007, 01:05 AM	#8
lurch115 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 722	Re: Need help punching out ignition cylinder take a cordless drill and about a 1/2 inch drill bit with you....drill into the center of the lock cylinder and the tumblers should fall out....then you'll be able to turn the lock cylinder and start the truck.... have you tried to see if the lock cylinder will turn without the key??? or try using key from another truck in it....i've seen alot of that style of lock cylinder work with one or the other of those 2 methods __________________ "Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you carry the wall with you." '84 chevy half ton short box 2wd, 67,000 actual miles '03 chevy 1500 HD crew cab 4x4 standard box, 6.0L

05-13-2007, 05:17 AM	#9
ureckme ureckmefixit2@cox.net Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mesa AZ. (Phoenix) Posts: 1,284	Re: Need help punching out ignition cylinder What if it's not tilt column. you have to take the whole column out. __________________ That's U RECK ME FIX it 2 74 Chevy Short Bed 355ci Sportsman II 64cc Angle Plug Crower Custom Grind .462in .486ex Dyno Test 422hp @ 5600 And it's got a Holley 3.73 Gears 12 Bolt 3.73 w/Posi 700R4 Going In I'm a Body Man So There! That's why it's not painted

05-14-2007, 01:34 PM	#11
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Need help punching out ignition cylinder I'm guessing it's an 80's truck ? I've only ever done it on my 78 and it was push through release tab. Good to hear that you got it out.



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