Key broke in ignition of 1990 corolla.

[applesandwich]

Here's the scoop, hep-cats. My lovely 1990 Toyota Corolla has decided to liberate me of about 1/4" of my key in the ignition. While I was able to get by putting the remaining key back in the ignition to drive, and use a backup key for the doors, my cunning plan has failed, and I can't get the damn ignition to budge. Besides getting charged a limb or two by a locksmith, does anyone have any good ideas on how to get the key piece out? Conversely is it like rocket surgery to remove the ignition and replace it? Thanks in advance.

[Mindflux]

Could you possibly magnetize the rest of the broken key, push it into the ignition and then slowly remove it.. maybe that would work?

Other than removing the whole tumbler assembly?

[toyomoho]

The ignition tumble comes out by itself. On Camry there is a pin on the top to push. You do need to turn the key to ACC. Did you try wiggling the steering to see if you could turn the ignition key? There have been other TN posts on this. To take off the complete ignition/steering lock system requires removing two anti-theft bolts.

A mobile locksmith may be able to get the piece out or pull the tumbler quickly.

[rjshepar]

I was wondering if you ever got the key or tumbler out? I now have the same problem with my 1990 Celica.