key cylinder ignition

i need some help. My ignition cylinder is broken, sometimes the car will not shut off, sometimes it wont turn to the start possition. The rods are all ok under the dash. I am for sure it is the lock cylinder. I got the steering wheel off and then there is another plate type of thing that has to be compressed to pull a retaining clip off. i dont have the tool to do this is there anyway to get that freakin clip off cause it was pissin me off. Has anybody ever replaced one before its on my 91 s10 blazer i have the new one and everything but i just got myself into a dilly of a pickle.

One time I had to change a lock cylinder on the road, and of course, I didn't have the compressor.

Get a friend to push the detent plate in while you use a small screwdriver to pry the wire clip up. Start where the gap is and only work from one end and work you way around to the other. Once the wire clip starts to come out, just keep working it around.
You may not get it back on but you will be fine. The steering wheel will not lock anymore.

that plate is super hard to push in i tried a few quick grip clamps and that plane sucked. i am going out to school in the morning so i will see if we have a tool out there to do it otherwise it is going to be the weekend teardown project. i was inbetween class at school and went to burgerking to get some chow and i coulndt get it foward again, so i played with it for a half and hour and then tried to jump the starter with a screw driver and that didnt work so i got my buddy to come over with a flatbed

I'm sorry to say, but I had a mechanic shop change my ignition cylinder because I did not have the tools nor someone to help me. They also replaced my left turn signal cancelling cam.
Total cost: $240 Ouch!

yeah thats what i am trying to avoid but if i get in a time crunch i am going to need to go that route

I know the plate is super hard to push down, Your compressing the spring. Have a friend take a 6" long 1/2" extension or even a 12" long, this is so you have room to work, and push on one side of the plate, the side where the split is at on the wire clip. This will enable you to pry the clip out of the groove and work it around. Have your friend move around with you as you pry up the clip. Try it.

I got the compressing tool from my teacher at school but i didnt have time to finish it all. going to top fuel drag races tomorrow so it will have to wait till sat then ill finish it up

Take it to a lock smith they wont charge that much, and they will change the Ignition

taking it to a lock smityh is the stupidest idea i have ever heard because the ignition cylinder is frozen nada wont move. I have already fixed it. Didnt take to long just that pain in the ass plate thatwas in there, like 20 minutes in all to cange the lock out