[Black_Magic1514]

The ignition on my wife's 95 Corolla DX won't turn. I have searched TN and seen a few threads recommending that I move the steering wheel back and forth and while that has worked in the past it has not today. I have tried putting the car in neutral and letting it roll to make sure that nothing is engaged but no dice. I have also sprayed silicon and pb blaster into the ignition itself. Is there any way to remove the lock cylinder with putting the key into the ACC position and pressing the release because so far I have been unable to get it there. If i can"t remove it myself I'll have to call the locksmith and he wants $215 which is a good price but one that
I would rather avoid. All tips, trick, old-wives tales, or even sound mechanical advice are welcome.

 

[kaitaiya]

can you get it to the ACC position? there's a small hole on the bottom side of the cylinder that you'll need an awl or allen or something small(even a nail) to push in a tab that will release the whole cylinder. once it's released you can pull the lock out with the key. you'll need to drop the bottom part of the drivers side dash to do it though.

i've had the same problem. try the key the other way(upsidedown) sometimes works, but once the lock is worn it's just a matter of time till it fails. like mine did when it failed at a local gas station. i called AAA and the sent out a locksmith and he fixed it for me. first time i did it i had basic AAA and it cost me $65. second time i needed a locksmith because i have AAA plus it was free.

 

[Black_Magic1514]

Unfortunately as i mentioned above the key wont turn to ACC so I have been unable to pull the cylinder. I have dropped the dash but so far no success on pressing the release tab on the cylinder. I tried the two keys that we have both ways and even went to the dealership and had a new key made according to the vin and that has not helped either.

 

[kaitaiya]

The ignition on my wife's 95 Corolla DX won't turn. I have searched TN and seen a few threads recommending that I move the steering wheel back and forth and while that has worked in the past it has not today. I have tried putting the car in neutral and letting it roll to make sure that nothing is engaged but no dice. I have also sprayed silicon and pb blaster into the ignition itself. Is there any way to remove the lock cylinder with putting the key into the ACC position and pressing the release because so far I have been unable to get it there. If i can"t remove it myself I'll have to call the locksmith and he wants $215 which is a good price but one that
I would rather avoid. All tips, trick, old-wives tales, or even sound mechanical advice are welcome.

actually the reason i asked was because it wasn't clear. i did the same thing with my new keys cut by the dealer as well. only way is to keep trying to jiggle it around till the tumblers line up and can get the older key to turn, or get intouch with a locksmith. call around and get some other quotes.

 

[Black_Magic1514]

Does anyone have any idea how to hot wire it. I know where the wires are at I just need to know which ones to connect and which one to touch to those two to make it start.

 

[kaitaiya]

Without the lock opened the car won't turn. You can short the wires and get it running but the steering wheel is still stuck.

 

[Black_Magic1514]

I can actually turn the key far enough to where the wheel lock disengages just no far enough to hit ACC.

 

[kaitaiya]

I can actually turn the key far enough to where the wheel lock disengages just no far enough to hit ACC.

I'd rather be safe than sorry and call a locksmith. What happens as you're driving down the road and the wheel locks on you?

 

[Black_Magic1514]

From my experience as long as I don't turn the key back to the lock position the wheel moves freely. but your right I will have to get a locksmith since i can't get the cylinder removed myself.

 

[kaitaiya]

I don't condone this and I am not liable if you get into an accident. But you should be able to unbolt the actual switch from the lock cylinder and use a screwdriver. Should be held on with 2 Phillips screws. Just make sure the switch doesn't come apart while you have it unbolted. It's a pain in the ass to get back together.

I would rather hear yOu got the lock out or you had a locksmith fix it.

 

[Black_Magic1514]

Totally agree with not driving it in its current condition but could you expand on removing the switch from the cylinder. When i looked in my Haynes manual it only referenced how to remove the cylinder with the key in the ACC position and how to disconnect the switch wiring.

 

[kaitaiya]

Just follow the cylinder down till you see wires.
This is where it attaches. The switch is removed though.

Looking from the floor up.

 

[Black_Magic1514]

Awesome that should be easy enough to do. But once I do that what have I accomplished? Is there away to remove the cylinder from the back or can I remove the whole ignition mechanism and replace it?

 

[kaitaiya]

All that does is bypass the lock. You'll still need to get the lock out to switch it. Only way to do that is the pin and acc. If you can jostle it enough to get it to the acc then it should release.

 

[Black_Magic1514]

If I remove that switch can I just attach a new lock to it or are there physical components that the lock ties into like the wheel lock that would make that a waste of time?

 

[kaitaiya]

the main thing the lock does is lock the steering wheel. then it also activates the ignition switch, which we both know now that we can be bypassed by dropping the switch off the back and using a screwdriver. i had my old lock out of my car and you might be able to hammer the pin that holds the lock in. it's a small pin that is holding in the actual lock cylinder. without removing the lock cylinder there's pretty much no way of putting in a new lock. your other solution would be to get another steering column and install it. i still think it'd be cheaper and better to call around and get a lock smith to come out. you could check with your insurance company to see if they have any policies to help you with a lockout service. or if you have a friend that has AAA they can call and have it done for you. i've done it for my bro's car before.