1996 automatic cavalier ignition problem

scabadaska · #1 01-29-2006, 08:32 PM

so I have been going back and forth on this one a lot. When I put my key into the ignition I can not turn the key any dirrection. I tried moving the car, the stearing wheel and a bunch of other "try this first" things. This used to happen every so often before, which makes me believe that the tumbler inside of the ignition lock cylinder is worn down. This causes me a problem: I can't remove the ignition cylinder unless the key is in the "on" position. I am pretty sure that if I can replace just the cylinder that I will not have to do the entire steering column. any suggestions or help would be great. thank you

Cavalier2000 · #2 01-30-2006, 03:15 PM

my old pick-me-up truck was like that. I had to shake the piss out of it to get it to start. Replace the tumblers and you will be fine

|WYG|SS · #3 01-30-2006, 05:33 PM

yeah i had the same problem in my 86 thunder bird and it would turn at all and stearing wheel didnt turn so i had to get a flat bed to tak it to dealership and they said the tumblers were bad. in my camery on the trunk my dad turned the key to the left which is to engage valuet mode so no1 can open from the outside have to pull switch inside of car. so he couldnt get it to turn back or even open trunk so he called dealer and they said check tumblers which he didnt. we had back seat entry so we had thing apart inside got trunk to open and so one day he just truned the whole lock back to its normal position and it worked. he found out that it was the tumblers so i would check thos if u can.

cluelesscavalier · #4 06-30-2006, 07:06 AM

Okay i had the exact same problem, and what i did was i would wiggle the hell out of the key listen for the clicks of the tumblers engaging, once you get it on the "on" position then take out the cylinder, and TRUTHFULLY i did it without the key in the ignition, all you have to do is find the button behind the cylinder and press it, the whole thing will come out...but be careful of the wires, don't let them get mixed up...anti-theft will kick on...then you'll have some troubles...