Ignition swith removal: No Keys! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HarrisonTX · 02-23-2009, 09:22 PM

So, there this '79 chevy pickup for sale. $350, but no keys.

I have replaced the ignition cylinder before in my '79 malibu, but i had the keys, and it was super easy.
Does anyone have any tips for removing it with no keys? I remember having to rotate the ignition with the keys for the cylinder to come out. Im stuck like chuck here.

PS, the column is torn down enough. Wheel off, and all the stuff out of the way

Restrorob · 02-23-2009, 09:46 PM

I may be wrong here, But the only reason I remember putting the key in and turning it on was to use the key for a larger grab surface to pull the tumbler assembly out. This was while pushing the spring loaded locking pin in with a small standard screwdriver.

85gmcguy · 02-23-2009, 10:03 PM

I just did one without a key. Wasn't very difficult, just make sure you pull out the retainer screw. I gently pryed it out from the inside with a screwdriver. Wish I had a good pic.

BLE 'BURBAN · 02-23-2009, 10:18 PM

This is the retainer screw you need to pull out in order to get the lock cylinder out. Some are hex head while others are either phillips or torx (T20-T25)

85gmcguy · 02-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Thanks for posting a pic

HarrisonTX · 02-23-2009, 11:33 PM

Thanks for the pic, but mine looks a little different. The bolt you are showing, i have 4 of them. There is one removed now, but it goes to the upper side of the cylinder.

The bolt your reffering too does it go to the groove in the bottom side of the cylinder? If so, mine is out, and the cylinder is still locked up. Im going to take a picture right now. Give me 20 min. to post it.

HarrisonTX · 02-23-2009, 11:54 PM

So here we have it. I must first apologize for the poor quality photo. Thats at night, with a camera phone.
I took it so you can see the ignition for reference.
You can see one black bolt clearly. There are 4 of those, still in.
At the 10 o'clock position of the visible black bolt head, there is a square. The square is open, and goes directly beneath the cylinder, and in no way effects the cylinder. At the 10 o'clock postion of the square hole mentioned above, there is another sqaure. DIRECTLY above that is a bolt hole. The guy removed this bolt. Through this bolt hole you can see the lock cylinder, the top portion. I can touch it with a very skinny allen key.
On the new cylinder there is a groove in the bottom of the cylinder. I would think that groove is what holds the cylinder in place, but i cant see anything removable.

02-23-2009, 09:22 PM	#1
HarrisonTX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Waco TX Posts: 247	Ignition swith removal: No Keys! So, there this '79 chevy pickup for sale. $350, but no keys. I have replaced the ignition cylinder before in my '79 malibu, but i had the keys, and it was super easy. Does anyone have any tips for removing it with no keys? I remember having to rotate the ignition with the keys for the cylinder to come out. Im stuck like chuck here. PS, the column is torn down enough. Wheel off, and all the stuff out of the way __________________ '69 custom/camper '74 260z 302 chevy/tko500 swap in progrss '79 Malibu 355 all forged 4 speed car. '86 k5 blazer '06 Duramax Last edited by HarrisonTX; 02-23-2009 at 09:23 PM.

02-23-2009, 09:46 PM	#2
Restrorob The One And Only !!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hole in the woods Florida Posts: 4,567	Re: Ignition swith removal: No Keys! I may be wrong here, But the only reason I remember putting the key in and turning it on was to use the key for a larger grab surface to pull the tumbler assembly out. This was while pushing the spring loaded locking pin in with a small standard screwdriver. __________________ 93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. *"Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!* Last edited by Restrorob; 02-23-2009 at 09:52 PM.

02-23-2009, 10:03 PM	#3
85gmcguy Plays with trucks Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 433	Re: Ignition swith removal: No Keys! I just did one without a key. Wasn't very difficult, just make sure you pull out the retainer screw. I gently pryed it out from the inside with a screwdriver. Wish I had a good pic. __________________ Gary My Dad's Old Truck 1985

02-23-2009, 10:18 PM	#4
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Ignition swith removal: No Keys! This is the retainer screw you need to pull out in order to get the lock cylinder out. Some are hex head while others are either phillips or torx (T20-T25) Attached Images __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

02-23-2009, 10:23 PM	#5
85gmcguy Plays with trucks Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 433	Re: Ignition swith removal: No Keys! Thanks for posting a pic __________________ Gary My Dad's Old Truck 1985

02-23-2009, 11:33 PM	#6
HarrisonTX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Waco TX Posts: 247	Re: Ignition swith removal: No Keys! Thanks for the pic, but mine looks a little different. The bolt you are showing, i have 4 of them. There is one removed now, but it goes to the upper side of the cylinder. The bolt your reffering too does it go to the groove in the bottom side of the cylinder? If so, mine is out, and the cylinder is still locked up. Im going to take a picture right now. Give me 20 min. to post it. __________________ '69 custom/camper '74 260z 302 chevy/tko500 swap in progrss '79 Malibu 355 all forged 4 speed car. '86 k5 blazer '06 Duramax

02-23-2009, 11:54 PM	#7
HarrisonTX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Waco TX Posts: 247	Re: Ignition swith removal: No Keys! So here we have it. I must first apologize for the poor quality photo. Thats at night, with a camera phone. I took it so you can see the ignition for reference. You can see one black bolt clearly. There are 4 of those, still in. At the 10 o'clock position of the visible black bolt head, there is a square. The square is open, and goes directly beneath the cylinder, and in no way effects the cylinder. At the 10 o'clock postion of the square hole mentioned above, there is another sqaure. DIRECTLY above that is a bolt hole. The guy removed this bolt. Through this bolt hole you can see the lock cylinder, the top portion. I can touch it with a very skinny allen key. On the new cylinder there is a groove in the bottom of the cylinder. I would think that groove is what holds the cylinder in place, but i cant see anything removable. __________________ '69 custom/camper '74 260z 302 chevy/tko500 swap in progrss '79 Malibu 355 all forged 4 speed car. '86 k5 blazer '06 Duramax



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