screwed ignition

somebody broke into my 1990 accord the other night and tried to steal it. it looks like they jammed something into the ignition and just ground it out. it's too messed up to get my key in and start it so i have started to take it apart. i took the steering column housing off and was able to get the ignition off of the column (that was a bitch). i tried taking the part where you stick the key in off so i could start the thing with a screwdriver or something until i can get it fixed completely. the problem is i can't get that part off. how do i do this? thanks for any help you can give me.

There are break-away bolts that hold the switch onto the column (With the heads broken off, they look like round head rivets) They need to be drilled out, at least the heads or you may be able to get them loose by using a center punch and gently tapping them loose. Of course you will need to buy new bolts when you replace the key lock.

That's just wierd...

I too have a 90 Accord that was broken into and they did the exact same thing to my ignition. I wasn't able to start the car at first (morning), though I was able to put the key in and pull it out. When I got home that afternoon, my stepdad, being the friggin retard he is, put a wrench to the key and started twisting, trying to force the car to start. Didn't work. He just twisted the key to hell in there and now we can't pull it out. However, turns out I can start the car...all you have to do is pull the key out a little bit and then turn it. Problem is...now there's an f'ing key stuck in my ignition (not good!).

So my question is this: Is there anything I can do about this? Would taking the steering column off and messing with the ignition barrel lead to any positive results?

And to aj: did you ever get the thing fixed? If so, could you clue me in (how'd you do it or how much did it cost, etc.)?

You need to replace the whole ignition locking mechanism. The ignition switch hooks on to the back of the igntion locking mechanism. See my post earlier in this thread. You might be able to get one from the junk yard and the new bolts from the dealer.

I had my entire ignition bored out one time. Take it to an auto specialty place and have them replace it, you can even use the same key! Yay!