If any of you remember several months back the engine in my 87 4Runner died.

Well, as of Sunday, I *finally* swapped a motor into it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

But here is the bad news....

After the test drive, we tried to start it again and the key would not turn, steering wheel was locked. So we took the entire top of the colump apart to get the ignition/cylinder assembly out. Lubed it up - and it works now - sometimes.

Manual says you can use a paper clip to push in a pin and the cylinder tumblers will pull right out - NOT. Anyone have any suggestions for me? Right now with it still sticking some times I sure am not gonna re-install it as-is. My plans now are to take it to a locksmith and se what they can do with it... unless one of you can toss some help my way <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

And on a brighter note - now that the daily driver is finally out of the
shop - I can start on the trail rig now <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Seems like this vintage of Toyota lock cylinders wear and develop the problem you describe...guessing roughly the same core cylinder part used on a number of Toyota models..

My wife's 88 Camry did same thing, have read of other Toyotas doing same..

Replaced lock core, which means you now have a new ignition key to carry different from the doors <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />

No problems since replacing core..

You did have the key in and turned on (I think that is required) when you were trying to get the core out of the lock, didn't you?
Not sure about Toyota but others I have taken apart had to have the key.
Also remove it slowly and carefully as sometimes springs and other little parts pop out. I spent a long evening trying to determine where some little pieces went after popping out a lock cylinder one time. I got it and it worked fine - it just took time and scared me at the time. I could see myself having the thing towed to a garage and having to admit I screwed it up.

Randy in Winnipeg

Hey, have an 89 i replaced the lock cylinder in. had to take the steering wheel off and the whole turn signal assembly switch held on by 4 screws. behind that is the push pin...i thought it was on the bottom but found it after taking everything off. it's right in the center....you'll see once everythings off. must have the key in the accessory position or the cylinder will not come out. anyway....good luck.

David I have an ignition lock and matching door locks. I'll trade ya for say... hmmm... I know, you got a crawler laying around there don't ya?? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Hey, I work on locks for a living! Not a locksmith though - a manufacturer.

The best thing that you can do for that cylinder is graphite.

Take the thing out of the steering column (eerily simple!), hose it out with brake cleaner to get all of the goop that you put into it out of there, and dump some graphite into it after it dries.

If it is worn, then you are probably hosed. It is possible that your key is really worn? Perhaps talking to your Toyota dealer and getting a fresh key would do the trick?

Just some ideas. I really don't know all that much about the cylinder in there - just general lock cylinder knowledge. If it is anything like a regular lock cylinder on a door to a house/building, you REALLY don't want the pins to come out!

The general idea behind these is this....

The part that the key goes into (the plug) rotates in the housing (duh!). There are 2 pins in each "hole" inside - judging by my Toyota key - a 5 pin cylinder. The 2 pins are stacked in top of each other with a spring on the top - pushing them down. When you insert the key, the pin shear line lines up with the cylinder housing, and the plug - allowing it to rotate.

As you can see, having the pins fly out would be a little messy! You can put them back together, but you have to figure out which one goes where.

Of course, if the lock in the Toyota ignition is different than a normal lock cylinder, then forget everything I just said ;-)

CAZ

I still have the bad lock out of my 88 Camry pictured below... The lock works OK until a slight pressure is put on the brass colored bar that sticks out of the lock.. then the lock starts hanging up where the key won't turn... So suspect this piece that works the steering lock (and where there is any pressure on it), is the swinger on whether the worn lock hangs up or not..

<img src="http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/rdu/e/_/e_dan/lock.jpg" alt="" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by beantown89:
[QB]must have the key in the accessory position or the cylinder will not come out. [QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Uhhh... since the entire problem is that the key would go in but not turn - that makes it kinda difficult you know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

But now that I know it and I have gotten the key to turn, I will try that, remove the cylinder, and then clean and use graphite and see what it gets me.

If this does not work - is there any other alternative than having to carry different keys for the door and ignition? I would not even mind going to ((gasp)) the dealership if they can keep everything matched up....

I will report back tonight after I have a chance to work on it some more - thanks <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

5-14-02 1447 EDT. If you can get the cylinder out like the pic above, you can take it and the key you want to use to a locksmith and have it rekeyed/retumbled. I have had it done numerous times. (key needs to go into the cylinder) Ed

<small>[ 14 May 2002, 02:49 PM: Message edited by: ed_herman ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by ed_herman:
<strong>5-14-02 1447 EDT. If you can get the cylinder out like the pic above, you can take it and the key you want to use to a locksmith and have it rekeyed/retumbled. I have had it done numerous times. (key needs to go into the cylinder) Ed</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">That is exactly what I wanted to hear - thanks <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />