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  #1  
Old 06-30-2001, 12:42 AM
glmoy
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Had to be towed home. Ignition key will not turn.
1. Airbag and steering wheel removed.
2. Panel under knee bolster and knee bolster removed.
3. Instrument panel removed.

Now I'm stuck. What next???? Need to get steering lock and
ignition switch and lock cylinder out. Need next steps
please.

Thanks,
Gary

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  #2  
Old 06-30-2001, 08:15 PM
glmoy
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Still trying to figure this out. Spent over two hours trying to turn key. Looks like a drill job. The question
is what size bit, locations on where to drill, and how deep
to drill.
Anyone know??????

Gary
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  #3  
Old 06-30-2001, 08:44 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: New Bedford, MA USA
Posts: 1,583
Gary, before you trash the igition switch, try this. The most likey cause of your problem is a worn key and/or a dirty set of tumblers. At any rate, get a can of WD-40, put the little red nozzle into the switch and give it a mighty flush. I mean it, put a rag under it and fill it until it overflows. Keep doing this until the overflow is clean. Clean your key(s) off and try them all again. wiggle, pull and insert key etc. If you don't get it to turn, get some graphite and shoot it in thru the key opening. A little at first, insert and remove the key to work the graphite around. Keep trying, add more graphite if you need to. You should keep trying the key in and out and attempting to get it to turn. Move it both to the right and to the left. If you do get it to turn, make a tool out of a piece of wire 2-3mm in diameter (thin hanger wire or thin welding rod. Put a 70 degree chamfer on each end facing the center of the lock. Put the key in, turn it to position one, insert the wire in the slots on the front of the switch and pull the cylinder out of the switch with the black barrel attached. Separate the two pieces and really clean the cylinder with the WD-40. Let it completely dry and reapply the graphite. I have done this a few time and it was successful. I hope it works for you. Good Luck..
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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.
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  #4  
Old 06-30-2001, 08:49 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Gainesville FL
Posts: 6,844
This is not a simple operation. There are instructions in a locksmith manual for drilling the tumbler through the key slot. I have never been able to do it. There is virtually no way to explain what to do without having the new parts in your hand.

The system is designed to be pulled apart with the key in one of the unlock positions (I haven't done one in years). A latch must be released with a special wire loop in that position. Without being able to turn the key the drilling method is designed to gut the tumbler till the latches fall in.

The way we usually do it is to drill the release pin of the steering lock. Again the way to do this is to have the new parts in hand and see where the releases are and how they come apart.
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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician
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  #5  
Old 07-01-2001, 04:06 AM
glmoy
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Jeff,
Used a quarter can of liquid wrench and flooded lock and
after two more hours finally managed to turn key to get
lock cylinder out. One of the retaining clips and
spring fell out of the steering lock assy. Due to limited visibility its hard to see how to get this out. Do you know
the procedure?????

Thanks for the tip,
Gary
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  #6  
Old 07-01-2001, 04:17 AM
glmoy
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Steve,
Had all three parts in hand. The lock cyl I took out
is worn so I will toss it. It only turns once in a while and is hard to turn. BTW, does any one rebuild these?

It looks like to drill the lock cyl out you would have to
be highly accurate in hitting the right place.

For future reference, Did you drill out the brass button on the steering lock?????

Still trying to figure how to ger column lock out due to limited visibility????? Allready spent too much time on this time for some Zzzzzz.

Thanks,
Gary
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  #7  
Old 07-01-2001, 04:32 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: New Bedford, MA USA
Posts: 1,583
Gary, once the locking pawl and clip are out of place, I know of no easy way to put in back together in the car. There is a rod on the side of the lock cylinder that has a flat on it. This engages and pushes the steering lock bolt into place. When you turn the key to 1st position, this little rod pulls the plastic pushrod back to the right and allows the lock bolt to release the wheel. This is soundind like you will need to replace the lock assy. Check here. I think they are available. You will ahve to lower the steering column to get the lock off the side of the column. I see no upside in trying to rebuild a lock cylinder. Get a new one.
__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.
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  #8  
Old 07-01-2001, 06:46 PM
glmoy
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Posts: n/a
Jeff,
Just got steering lock assy, new cylinder, and ignition
switch in. Didn't have to lower the steering column,
to get old assy, and new one in. However there is very
little clearance to do it. The main problem is that
when I bought the 201 manual the pictures are different
than what I was working on. Its latest revision is
1988 and I have an '88 but pics look older. Can't find
my CD but I would guess it may be the same.

Question??? Does this lock cylinder need lube graphite,
and should it be liquid or powered????

Gary

P.S. All three parts were replaced because I didn't
want to have to go back in there again.
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  #9  
Old 07-01-2001, 08:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: New Bedford, MA USA
Posts: 1,583
A little bit (very little) of the powdered graphite will go a long way in helping the new cylinder break in, but don't get crazy with it..

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.
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