Ignition Won't Turn

bltst2 · 09-19-2004, 01:34 PM

Hey guys, here are the details...

1997 S-10 Blazer

I drove it Friday night, no problem at all. I parked it in the garage at about 1:30 AM Saturday morning. Went to use it again at about 8:30 AM Saturday morning, key won't turn in the ignition.

It's as if I parked the car with a hard turn and the ignition lock is engaged. So, I rock the wheel back and forth while turning the key and still nothing. Note, I parked the car with the wheels straight, so the ignition lock was NOT engaged until I rocked the wheel back and forth. The car is definatly in PARK.

Thought maybe the battery was dead. Hooked it up to my other car with jumpers and still nothing. The ignition will not turn. I hooked my multimeter up to both batteries. With the GOOD car running and jumpers attached, I am getting about 13.8 V. With the BAD car not running and jumpers attached, I'm getting about 12.2 V. Although low, this doesn't seem like it would be enough to not allow the key to turn.

Any ideas?

***Tha_Boom*** · 09-20-2004, 07:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by bltst2

Hey guys, here are the details...

1997 S-10 Blazer

I drove it Friday night, no problem at all. I parked it in the garage at about 1:30 AM Saturday morning. Went to use it again at about 8:30 AM Saturday morning, key won't turn in the ignition.

It's as if I parked the car with a hard turn and the ignition lock is engaged. So, I rock the wheel back and forth while turning the key and still nothing. Note, I parked the car with the wheels straight, so the ignition lock was NOT engaged until I rocked the wheel back and forth. The car is definatly in PARK.

Thought maybe the battery was dead. Hooked it up to my other car with jumpers and still nothing. The ignition will not turn. I hooked my multimeter up to both batteries. With the GOOD car running and jumpers attached, I am getting about 13.8 V. With the BAD car not running and jumpers attached, I'm getting about 12.2 V. Although low, this doesn't seem like it would be enough to not allow the key to turn.

Any ideas?

You will need to replace the key cylnder they wear out and get stuck like that. you could always try tapping it with a hammer sometimes it will fix it. but replacing it is the way to go.

bltst2 · 09-21-2004, 11:26 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tha_Boom

You will need to replace the key cylnder they wear out and get stuck like that. you could always try tapping it with a hammer sometimes it will fix it. but replacing it is the way to go.

Is this something I can do myself or is it better left to the dealer? What are the costs?

***Tha_Boom*** · 09-23-2004, 01:45 AM

Its rather easy if you have the tools or have a auto parts place that does the tool lending.

Basically you pull the stearing wheel off (need a wheel puller) then you need to remove the lockplate (need lockplate tool) now comes the easy stuff. pull off the turn signal catch. now look where the keylock goes in there will be a phillips screw there you remove that and the keylock will pull right out. installation is reverse of removal.

johnc · 09-23-2004, 03:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tha_Boom

Its rather easy if you have the tools or have a auto parts place that does the tool lending.

Basically you pull the stearing wheel off (need a wheel puller) then you need to remove the lockplate (need lockplate tool) .

I was able to get the lockplate off without the tool. I used a large washer, and 2 nuts turned sideways. I cinched down the steering wheel nut to push on the washer. There was just enough room to get at the lock ring.

bltst2 · 09-23-2004, 12:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tha_Boom

Its rather easy if you have the tools or have a auto parts place that does the tool lending.

Basically you pull the stearing wheel off (need a wheel puller) then you need to remove the lockplate (need lockplate tool) now comes the easy stuff. pull off the turn signal catch. now look where the keylock goes in there will be a phillips screw there you remove that and the keylock will pull right out. installation is reverse of removal.

Ugh. That sounds ugly. Out of my league, I think. Just called the tow truck...I'll report the verdict.

***fetuss10*** · 09-23-2004, 04:22 PM

Yeah ley lock cylinders are fun to do. Well you have an airbag so You may want to talk to a car place. I moved your thread to the 2nd gen area too.

09-19-2004, 01:34 PM	#1
bltst2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 17 Location: User is: OffLine	Ignition Won't Turn Hey guys, here are the details... 1997 S-10 Blazer I drove it Friday night, no problem at all. I parked it in the garage at about 1:30 AM Saturday morning. Went to use it again at about 8:30 AM Saturday morning, key won't turn in the ignition. It's as if I parked the car with a hard turn and the ignition lock is engaged. So, I rock the wheel back and forth while turning the key and still nothing. Note, I parked the car with the wheels straight, so the ignition lock was NOT engaged until I rocked the wheel back and forth. The car is definatly in PARK. Thought maybe the battery was dead. Hooked it up to my other car with jumpers and still nothing. The ignition will not turn. I hooked my multimeter up to both batteries. With the GOOD car running and jumpers attached, I am getting about 13.8 V. With the BAD car not running and jumpers attached, I'm getting about 12.2 V. Although low, this doesn't seem like it would be enough to not allow the key to turn. Any ideas?
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-20-2004, 07:00 PM	#2
*Tha_Boom* Forum Director Age: 74 Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,770 Location: NE PA User is: OffLine	Re: Ignition Won't Turn Quote: Originally Posted by bltst2 Hey guys, here are the details... 1997 S-10 Blazer I drove it Friday night, no problem at all. I parked it in the garage at about 1:30 AM Saturday morning. Went to use it again at about 8:30 AM Saturday morning, key won't turn in the ignition. It's as if I parked the car with a hard turn and the ignition lock is engaged. So, I rock the wheel back and forth while turning the key and still nothing. Note, I parked the car with the wheels straight, so the ignition lock was NOT engaged until I rocked the wheel back and forth. The car is definatly in PARK. Thought maybe the battery was dead. Hooked it up to my other car with jumpers and still nothing. The ignition will not turn. I hooked my multimeter up to both batteries. With the GOOD car running and jumpers attached, I am getting about 13.8 V. With the BAD car not running and jumpers attached, I'm getting about 12.2 V. Although low, this doesn't seem like it would be enough to not allow the key to turn. Any ideas? You will need to replace the key cylnder they wear out and get stuck like that. you could always try tapping it with a hammer sometimes it will fix it. but replacing it is the way to go.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-21-2004, 11:26 AM	#3
bltst2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 17 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Ignition Won't Turn Quote: Originally Posted by Tha_Boom You will need to replace the key cylnder they wear out and get stuck like that. you could always try tapping it with a hammer sometimes it will fix it. but replacing it is the way to go. Is this something I can do myself or is it better left to the dealer? What are the costs?
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-23-2004, 01:45 AM	#4
*Tha_Boom* Forum Director Age: 74 Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,770 Location: NE PA User is: OffLine	Re: Ignition Won't Turn Its rather easy if you have the tools or have a auto parts place that does the tool lending. Basically you pull the stearing wheel off (need a wheel puller) then you need to remove the lockplate (need lockplate tool) now comes the easy stuff. pull off the turn signal catch. now look where the keylock goes in there will be a phillips screw there you remove that and the keylock will pull right out. installation is reverse of removal.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-23-2004, 03:43 AM	#5
johnc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 529 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Ignition Won't Turn Quote: Originally Posted by Tha_Boom Its rather easy if you have the tools or have a auto parts place that does the tool lending. Basically you pull the stearing wheel off (need a wheel puller) then you need to remove the lockplate (need lockplate tool) . I was able to get the lockplate off without the tool. I used a large washer, and 2 nuts turned sideways. I cinched down the steering wheel nut to push on the washer. There was just enough room to get at the lock ring.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-23-2004, 12:33 PM	#6
bltst2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 17 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Ignition Won't Turn Quote: Originally Posted by Tha_Boom Its rather easy if you have the tools or have a auto parts place that does the tool lending. Basically you pull the stearing wheel off (need a wheel puller) then you need to remove the lockplate (need lockplate tool) now comes the easy stuff. pull off the turn signal catch. now look where the keylock goes in there will be a phillips screw there you remove that and the keylock will pull right out. installation is reverse of removal. Ugh. That sounds ugly. Out of my league, I think. Just called the tow truck...I'll report the verdict.
	[Reply w/Quote]