ah heck , my ignition lock wont turn

[sammy]

i am stuck in the hospital and a friend who was coming to pick my up says when he goes to start the car the key switch wont turn . he tried turning the wheel a little to see if it would release but no go what is happening ? anyone had this problem ??

[Tyler Townsley]

i am stuck in the hospital and a friend who was coming to pick my up says when he goes to start the car the key switch wont turn . he tried turning the wheel a little to see if it would release but no go what is happening ? anyone had this problem ??

The pin is probably worn. Mine does it and if you hold your mouth just right it will turn, got a new switch laying on my desk waiting for time to replace it. It takes patience and fiddiling.

Tyler

[sammy]

do you mean the pins in the lock that the key works on ? could one just remove the lock and have it repined ?

[Tyler Townsley]

You need to replace this. The mechanism that the key turns,
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-c4-ignition-locks-door-lock-pawls+1984+1996-1-140-1033.html

Tyler

[scottfab]

Try tilting the wheel all the way down then turn the wheel left and right over and over as you try to turn the key.

[WVZR-1]

He understands the mechanics of the lock cylinder in an M6 column to get it to the lock position?

You can try the recommended going through the various tilt locations but you ultimately will need to go here for the fix. The rack that moves the ignition switch bottom of the column, the nylon sector gear that rotates on the end of the cylinder that actuates the rack/rod and ignition switch.

Here's the fix likely or possibly the cylinder as Tyler mentioned.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_9111700-P_x_x?cm_mmc=CSE-_-Shopping-_-VALUE3-_-VALUE4&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=24-128823161-2#utm_source=cse&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=value3&utm_content=value4

[sammy]

so it may not be the switch at all it may be other stuff in the column . is there any place that can rebuild the column that i can send it to.i dont think i can do this myself .

[WVZR-1]

I would think the repair could certainly be accomplished locally. Neither of the repair procedures are Corvette "specialty" operations. They're everyday Saginaw steering column procedures. Parts are certainly local, you need to make sure the ignition cylinder purchase is for an M6 column.

A second thought here and I don't know why it might not be a "wise" first attempt. Spray the cylinder with electrical contact cleaner and insert the key a few times and push the detent for the rotate to lock release. You might have just a tumbler or two that are sticking. DO NOT USE WD40 or a lubricant like it, stick to just spray electrical contact cleaner! If it works you might consider maybe some graphite lock cylinder lube after the fact. If you've a second key try it!

You also asked about "re-pinning" earlier, I missed that. Yes you could I suppose re-pin the cylinder or disassemble it for a good cleaning but I've never had an M6 cylinder apart. It I would think take a capable lock smith to accomplish that one. The basic cylinder isn't an issue but the M6 I just don't know.

[sammy]

thankyou for your thoughts , i needed that it has been a tough year form me in many ways. i will get back on that train and try to get it fixed . i almost was going to give up the ghost and go buy a new mustang trade the zr1 in and be done with it . but i am going to give her one more try . heck i have rebuilt almost everything in her in the last year , tranny,rear end , clutch, suspension , why give up now when she is almost done . thanx for the comment , it took the emotion out of it and helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel .i know i can do this if i just take my time . thankyou

[mike100]

If you just need a lock cylinder, you can get to it in less than an hour in-car with the steering wheel and turn signal removal process.

If it is an uglier situation or you need to fix up your tilt housing wobble, you might be better off taking the column out and working on a bench. You can totally get it rebuilt outside much easier. It is still a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but if you have ever seen these apart before, repaired turn signal switches etc, with the help of the manual and good documentation on the internet, you should be able to get it done if you budget a couple of days to do it.

I would suggest hiring a little help to get it out of the car,plus a helper makes it easier to reinstall. I did it all myself by being clever, but putting it back in is the trickier part.

I don't blame you on the Mustang thoughts either. I replaced that little white VW I had with one- screw mpgs..life is too short to drive dull cars.

[scottfab]

..life is too short to drive dull cars.


Well said.

[gbrtng]

actually ...

[mike100]

actually ...

haha, maybe that is where I saw it.

[sammy]

If you just need a lock cylinder, you can get to it in less than an hour in-car with the steering wheel and turn signal removal process.

If it is an uglier situation or you need to fix up your tilt housing wobble, you might be better off taking the column out and working on a bench. You can totally get it rebuilt outside much easier. It is still a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but if you have ever seen these apart before, repaired turn signal switches etc, with the help of the manual and good documentation on the internet, you should be able to get it done if you budget a couple of days to do it.

I would suggest hiring a little help to get it out of the car,plus a helper makes it easier to reinstall. I did it all myself by being clever, but putting it back in is the trickier part.

I don't blame you on the Mustang thoughts either. I replaced that little white VW I had with one- screw mpgs..life is too short to drive dull cars.mike thanx for your thoughts on this project . i am really toying with the idea of selling one of the zs and getting a 2012 5.0 mustang . about dec i bet there might be some good deals on a yr old new car .that way i could have a fun car for the every day stuff and still have a z for special occasions .

[mike100]

mike thanx for your thoughts on this project . i am really toying with the idea of selling one of the zs and getting a 2012 5.0 mustang . about dec i bet there might be some good deals on a yr old new car .that way i could have a fun car for the every day stuff and still have a z for special occasions .

It is nice having ground clearance and cheap tires. Fuel cut is at 6900 rpms though (you have to buy the Boss 302 to get the better rods and pistons...those go to 7400 rpm). peak power is at 6500 on the regular GT so you have to rev it to the redline and it is a little trickier than on some cars.

You can tune them, get headers, sticky rubber...whatever- the best thing about them is the VVT and the flexible powerband- it is just easy to drive. doesn't matter if you have a tuned 12.40 car or a stock 13.0 flat one- they pretty much both feel athletic and willing to rev.
The only thing I got on mine is the heated seats and 3.55 gears on a GT premium. I lucked up on a deal that some young guy bought, drove for 450 miles, and returned it to the dealer when his financing fell through. When Ford had $3k cash back in Jan, I ended up getting it for $26k so I scooped it up immediately.
I still like owning my C4, but the thought comes to mind to sell it to cash out since having two vettes and a 5-oh is a little over-the-top.

Either way I think I would fix the ignition.

[sammy]

oh yeah i will fix it i just don't like messing with things i haven't done before .i found out that i paid way to much for the ignition switch 145 @the dealer . and with money tight from my now 2 operations kinda sucks .i think i will start cking around for that little 5.0. did you get an auto or the manual .???/ i hear that little auto is pretty darn good .

[mike100]

oh yeah i will fix it i just don't like messing with things i haven't done before .i found out that i paid way to much for the ignition switch 145 @the dealer . and with money tight from my now 2 operations kinda sucks .i think i will start cking around for that little 5.0. did you get an auto or the manual .???/ i hear that little auto is pretty darn good .

PM'ed...

[sammy]

there is an old locksmith that retired in my town and just happened to meet him during morning coffee @lees. chevron (we all meet there about 5 am ) well i shared what was happening to my car and he said lets go ck it out . he thought it might be fixable and asked if i had electronic cleaner and powdered graphite, and an air compressor. so he .started by spraying about a 1/4 can of the electronic cleaner in it then using my thin blow off tool on my compressor blew in and around the outside of the lock for a couple of minutes .then squirted an obscene amount of the graphite in the lock . cover the lock with a towel and blew into and around the lock again . then put the key in and out 5 times then put it in again and i will be danged if it didnt turn. like it was new .he shared that since i have a dirt driveway thats about 1/2 mile long that over time dirt will gum up the lock .he said the next time it even feels a little stiff do what he did and all will be well .so if your lock is starting to get a little tough to turn give this a try . i had allready bought a new lock but for now it can stay in the box .

[scottfab]

there is an old locksmith that retired in my town and just happened to meet him during morning coffee @lees. chevron (we all meet there about 5 am ) well i shared what was happening to my car and he said lets go ck it out . he thought it might be fixable and asked if i had electronic cleaner and powdered graphite, and an air compressor. so he .started by spraying about a 1/4 can of the electronic cleaner in it then using my thin blow off tool on my compressor blew in and around the outside of the lock for a couple of minutes .then squirted an obscene amount of the graphite in the lock . cover the lock with a towel and blew into and around the lock again . then put the key in and out 5 times then put it in again and i will be danged if it didnt turn. like it was new .he shared that since i have a dirt driveway thats about 1/2 mile long that over time dirt will gum up the lock .he said the next time it even feels a little stiff do what he did and all will be well .so if your lock is starting to get a little tough to turn give this a try . i had allready bought a new lock but for now it can stay in the box .

Wow, one of those $1 in parts and $99 for knowledge.
Good to hear.

[mike100]

I might do mine with silicone lube or graphite just as a preventative...

[Blue Flame Restorations]

there is an old locksmith that retired in my town and just happened to meet him during morning coffee @lees. chevron (we all meet there about 5 am ) well i shared what was happening to my car and he said lets go ck it out . he thought it might be fixable and asked if i had electronic cleaner and powdered graphite, and an air compressor. so he .started by spraying about a 1/4 can of the electronic cleaner in it then using my thin blow off tool on my compressor blew in and around the outside of the lock for a couple of minutes .then squirted an obscene amount of the graphite in the lock . cover the lock with a towel and blew into and around the lock again . then put the key in and out 5 times then put it in again and i will be danged if it didnt turn. like it was new .he shared that since i have a dirt driveway thats about 1/2 mile long that over time dirt will gum up the lock .he said the next time it even feels a little stiff do what he did and all will be well .so if your lock is starting to get a little tough to turn give this a try . i had allready bought a new lock but for now it can stay in the box .


Congrats, Sammy!

[WB9MCW]

I love a story with a good ending.

[FU]

Good tip :handshak: Glad all worked out well.