How do you remove the ignition lock/cylinder

[msm15]

1995 Camry LE 4 cylinder

My ignition lock is dying on me, how do I remove it ? I tried doing a search here but I got so many random hits and none were detailed. can someone point me towards a thread detailing the removal procedure ?

thanks

[Jimnist]

Is this a gen 3 or 4?

On my Gen2, you need to remove the lower covers and panels around the steering wheel (bottom first(right above where your shins are, then the steering column cover). After that you will see the lock cylinder and it's held on by 2 shear bolts (heads snap off when correct torque is reached at the factory). It's a bit awkward, but you can use a rotary hand tool with a cutting disc (really small, about 1.5cm in diameter) and cut slots into it so that you can screw the studs? (don't know that name, but a bolt, but with no hex head). But try using a chisel and mallet and see if you can put a slot in it like that.

If not, you could take the whole steering shaft out and drill off the head so it no longer holds on the shoulder.

Like i said, this was on my Gen 2 and may vary differently with your Camry.

[msm15]

gen 3 thanks for the post

[new echo owner]

If you are just replacing the lock cylinder, which is usually the problem, you just need to take the lower cover off, turn the key to the 'access' position, then push the lock pin through the hole in the ignition lock cylinder housing and the lock cylinder should come out.

N.E.O.

[teckjunkie]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

If you are just replacing the lock cylinder, which is usually the problem, you just need to take the lower cover off, turn the key to the 'access' position, then push the lock pin through the hole in the ignition lock cylinder housing and the lock cylinder should come out.

N.E.O.

What do you do when you have a key broken off in the switch and can not turn the key to the access position??? Please help...

[Knailgun]

look on the bottom of the column, there is a small metal pin that locks the cylinder in place when you turn the key, drill it out and it will slide out....It happened to my camry and tacoma......you'll need a pair of needle nose pliers to start it after, to turn the tab portion of the cylinder

[c32used]

This morning when I first tried to turn key it would only go to acc while steering column was unlocked...well my ex father inlaw when he tried to turn key he locked the steering wheel. since then the key OEM or new replacement didn't go all the way in cylinder using a rubber mallet it was pushed in...now key goes in but will not turn...what is the the possible issue?

[RU2CHKN]

Is your car an auto or manual?

[c32used]

Automatic

[omegahaze]

1997 Toyota Camry Key Wont turn, Ignition Lock problem -1997 toyota camry FIXED!!! I see a lot of Douches with a capital D trying to charge people to fix this extremely common issue with this Camry ignition cylinder. OK pull the plastic guard off encasing the steering column. Get a phillips head screwdriver and remove the 2 screws holding the little off-white connector at the rear of the module(it has the wires to the ignition running to it). Get a pair of pliers or a small crescent wrench and while trying to turn the key use the wrench to turn the little rod sticking out of the back of the module. Make sure your turning it WITH the direction the key is trying to turn it. It should immediate be freed. Wala IT WORKS! AND THATS WHY PEOPLE DONT TRUST MECHANICS! HOW CAN YOU CHARGE SOMEONE FOR THAT INFO?

[Fluffy]

Originally Posted by msm15

1995 Camry LE 4 cylinder

My ignition lock is dying on me, how do I remove it ? I tried doing a search here but I got so many random hits and none were detailed. can someone point me towards a thread detailing the removal procedure ?

thanks

Since I recently had to tackle this for a friend whose key was not turning in the cylinder, I decided to take some pics of the process to make it easier for the next guy...

Remove the black bolt above the dead pedal to remove the cover next to driver's left foot. This must be removed to get at other screws that need to be removed.


To remove the plastic knee panel below the steering wheel, you will need to remove the hood latch mechanism that is mounted to it. Start by removing the two screws shown:


Pull the hood latch mechanism out so that you can get to the cable:


Remove the cable by rotating the cable in the handle so that the cylinder at the end of the cable can be rotated and the cable slid sideways through the handle:



Remove the screw on the lower right corner of the knee panel:


Once you have the lower knee panel off, you must also remove the metal bracket behind it that holds the OBD-II connector. There are 5 screws holding this panel in place (not shown), all fairly easy to find. Here is the OBD-II connector mounted to the metal panel. It can be removed from the panel by pressing the clips on the sides:


Now you can remove the cover around the ignition switch by pulling it away from the dash and popping the two clips out of the dash.


Remove the light ring from around the key cylinder by removing one screw at the bottom:


The screw can be better seen in this pic with the light ring removed:


Now you can remove the key cylinder by pressing a small shaft into the hole at the bottom of the key cylinder. The key must be in the ACC position:


If you can't get the key to turn to ACC position, you may have to get access to the back of the cylinder to turn the key shaft. By crawling upside-down under the dash, you will see the plastic switch assembly screwed to the back of the key cylinder:


By removing two screws and unclipping a few of the attached connectors, you will be able to remove the switch and see the end of the key shaft:


A pair of needle-nose pliers can then be used to gently assist turning the key to the ACC position, and press the release button on the bottom of the cylinder as shown in the photo above.

Here's a pic of the key cylinder being removed from the housing:


...and a view down the empty housing:


Once I had the key cylinder out, the next decision was to replace or repair. Replacing with a new cylinder was complicated by the fact that this Camry came with a chipped key. Changing the cylinder meant getting a new chipped key and spending another $80 at the Toyota dealer to get it programmed to the VIN. Getting a non-chipped cylinder would work, but the owner would have to keep the chipped key and press it against the non-chipped key while starting the car to satisfy the transponder.

What we came up with (at the suggestion of the Toyota parts guy, no less) was to take the cylinder to a locksmith, where he rebuilt the cylinder with new tumblers, for about $30. Problem solved!

Put it all back together in about 30 mins, good as new!

Steve