View Full Version : Remember when I wanted to know how to get a broken key out of ignition?
Well, I finally gave up and called AAA. They sent a locksmith out and he got it out with a little dohicky of some sort. Thats not a technical term btw. Anyway, he gets the little piece of metal out, but then the spare key won't turn the ignition switch. I have to replace the whole thing! :steamed:
Anyway, has anyone here ever done something like this themselves?
Is it hard to do? I've seen the ignition switch part online for around $33 or so.
I'm wondering if it's something a shade tree mechanic like myself should tackle. I guess I couldn't screw things up any worse. (Famous last words).
Car is an '86 Dodge Diplomat, and the part is AC Delco C1429.
betyourlife
03-02-2008, 01:57
'86 Dodge Diplomat
Dood, it is time to get a new car lol.
Dood, it is time to get a new car lol.
My everyday driver is a 2006 Mustang GT. The Diplomat was my parents car before they died.
I want to fix it up a bit, then sell it. So there is the problem of not wanting to invest a lot of money in it since it is only worth a few hundred.
But, believe it or not, there are people who buy these and restore them to showroom condition. I don't wanna do that much, just get it running, but not spend more than I can sell it for, if you know what I mean.
Ol Timer
03-02-2008, 12:57
If I remember correctly, and this is a big if, there might be a pinhole in the ignition switch face, next to the keyhole. If so, insert a paperclip into this hole (much like retrieving a cd from your computer) and turn the ignition switch beyond the normal stop and it should pull out. I can't remember if you need to disconnect the negative battery terminal because I don't remember which way to turn the switch. But this will give you an idea and perhaps if you mention this to the guys at the auto parts store, they can be more help.
But without the correct key, you may need to go at it from the steering column.
Ol Timer
03-02-2008, 13:04
Now that I've thought about it for a time, It was probably Ford ignitions that used the pinhole, not Delco.
But they may have a similar type of release.
Good luck.
lucky for you i work for a dodge dealership , ill take a peek at the online info and get back to you...
please hold... (creepy techno elevator music)
-hov
suprisingly , the online info only goes back to 1982...
if you want to pm me the last 9 of your vin , it might let that info pull up...
if not , ill check tomorrow in the books we have , what would be involved in replacing ignition tumbler...
86 diplomat.... what engine?
-hov
betyourlife
03-02-2008, 14:18
Soujurn,
If you PM me your credit card number and expiration as well as the 3 digit code on the back, I will see what I can do lol
Just kidding.
Just a WAG, but, I think you're going to have to remove the steering wheel and with a key in the ignition, (to push in the tumblers) there is a 'button' inside the steering column that you depress and then pull the switch lock out.
This 'button' that I speak of secures the switch lock in place.
I don't remember if the Diplomat ('86 I think you said) has airbags or not.
IF it does, don't forget to disconnect the battery and keep your face away from the steering wheel 'bag cover'.
Also, the phillips head screws that hold on the horn cover may need a 'whack' with a driver and hammer to loosen the locktite that was used (or corrosion) that holds them in place.
EDIT: Before going through all of the removal/replacement of the lock cylinder, try putting some powdered graphite on the key and insert the key and jiggle the heck out of it.
The tumbler pins just might be stuck!!!!
Worth a try!
F14Scott
03-02-2008, 14:41
Can you superglue the broken key together and use it to have a new key cut?
Can you superglue the broken key together and use it to have a new key cut?
I have two spare keys for this car. They slide into the ignition just fine, but won't turn it. I don't want to force it either since that is what I think broke the original key off in the first place.
The car started just fine with the small piece of the original key down in the tumbler. Once the guy got that piece out, it would no longer turn when the spare key was inserted.
I think the guy from the AAA road service busted it when he dug the piece out, but there is no way to prove that.
BilltheCat
03-02-2008, 20:47
or you could just rip the two ignition wires out and twist em together like the school kids do to steal a joyrider!
well you said someone would restore it anyway!
You do not need an ignition switch. You need a keyed cylinder for the steering column.
Jiggle the steering wheel while you try to turn the key.
by got it right...
i checked the books here , theres a secure button on the back of the tumbler.
step 1 : remove wheel and column covers
2: insert key
3: press button
4: remove cylinder.
good luck...
-hov
by got it right...
i checked the books here , theres a secure button on the back of the tumbler.
step 1 : remove wheel and column covers
2: insert key
3: press button
4: remove cylinder.
good luck...
-hov
Thanks. That is exactly what the guy at the parts store told me today when I went in and bought the lock/cylinder assembly. Came with two keys.
My memory must be shot...a Dodge that uses AC/Delco parts?
DScottHewitt
03-11-2008, 11:37
My everyday driver is a 2006 Mustang GT. The Diplomat was my parents car before they died.
[Peter Griffin as Han Solo]It was my brother's spaceship. He died of leukemia. Now how do you feel?[/Peter Griffin as Han Solo]
Scott
rfb45colt
03-11-2008, 13:07
If your 86 Dodge has a tilt steering wheel, it has a GM steering column. Made by Saginaw Steering something-or-other, a division of General Motors. Prior to 1989 or 90, Chrysler bought all their tilt steering columns from Saginaw, so what you have is a GM style ignition cylinder (key-lock) configured to accept the Chrysler keys. The part number - 1429 - you gave, is the part number for a Chryser keyed, GM column lock, so your car better have a tilt column, or that's the wrong lock.
To remove the old ignition lock, you need to remove the steering wheel (requires steering wheel puller), remove the steering wheel locking mechanism (requires a special tool called "lock-plate compressor"), unscrew (and move out of the way) the turn signal switch, and then you can depress the lock retainer tab, and the lock will slide right out. ;)
To install the new one, just pop it in the column (without a key inserted) , and put everything back together.
To someone who has never done this, it sounds daunting... but it's really not. I do them in about 20-30 minutes. The hardest part is actually removal and reinstalling of the horn pad.
But you will need that special tool, called a lock-plate compressor. The steering wheel is locked by a plate that's attached to the steering column beneath the steering wheel. It has a series of cut-outs around it's perimeter, and there's a pin that engages one of these cut-outs when you turn the ignition to the lock position. Turning it back on withdraws this locking pin. The lock-plate has a very heavy coil spring behind it, and it's held in place by a circular wire clip around the steering shaft. To remove this clip, you must compress this coil spring. The lock plate compressor screws onto the steering shaft where the steering wheel retaining nut goes, and then there's a horseshoe shaped part that screws down against the lock plate, pushing it downward compressing the spring behind it, allowing removal of the clip. You need the same tool to put the clip back on when reassembling everything.
Thanks.
That was the detailed info I needed.
rfb45colt
03-11-2008, 15:52
My memory must be shot...a Dodge that uses AC/Delco parts?
Yes Chrysler products use AC/Delco parts. In this case, Chrysler Corp found it easier to buy tilt steering columns from Saginaw Steering than to design their own. Saginaw Steering is owned by GM (which also owns AC/Delco) and produces tilt steering columns used in GM cars. At least this was the situation in the 1970-80s... not sure who owns what now, Chrysler began building their own tilt columns around 1990. Since the Saginaw steering columns were originally designed for GM cars, they were designed to use the same ignition key locks as all other GMs. Rather than do a redesign of the column to accept Chrysler locks (which at the time were about twice the size of GM locks), the simplest solution was to have Briggs & Stratton (manufacturer of most automotive locks, then and now) build a key lock for Chrysler that would fit right in the GM column, but it uses Chrysler type keys.
GM reciprocated with Chrysler somewhat, in the 70s & 80s by buying 4 wheel drive transfer cases for their pickups, Blazers, and Suburbans from New Process Corp... a Chrysler owned subsidiary. My 76 GMC 4X4 1-ton pick-up had an auto tranny, and (no lockout hubs) "full-time" 4 wheel drive, thanks to it's New Process 203 transfer case.... a Chrysler Corp. built transfer case.
i personally sould have just peeled the damn column , but thats just me...
when i used to work at a private shop , we did mostly wheel and tire (20's and up mostly) , a lot of guys would come in with caprices and things of the like , and they all had bandanas around the column... i never thought anything more than reppin they hood , whatever...
one day , dude comes in to have 24's put on his bonny , and he has to leave it overnight. we had a disabled car in one bay , and the tow truck in the other , so we had to leave his outside for the eve. this was in the hood... so he tells me "i got a column lock and a wheel boot in the trunk , throw em both one and lock her up good..."
im like wtf?! so i go to put the column lock on , and i have to take the bandana off to get it on , and his column was peeled... i just kind of shook my head , but hey , whatever works...
on another not , i used to have a for taurus that i lost the key for , a pair of tweezers slit apart is a hell of a lock picking too...
-hov
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