You can find the ignition switch cylinder at the top of many vehicle steering columns. It's used to lock and unlock the steering wheel, power windows and other accessories in vehicles that have power steering. You can remove the cylinder with a set of vice grips if you're unable to use the key to unlock it yourself.
Drill out the ignition cylinder
To remove the ignition cylinder, it needs to be drilled out. Use a drill bit that is slightly larger than the key slot in the cylinder. Drill straight into the center of the key slot until the cylinder comes loose.
If you have an older model that uses a standard key, you may be able to get away with using the existing key when replacing the ignition switch. But if your vehicle has a specialised security system or a more complex electronic design, chances are you will need to get a new key for the replacement.
If you don't have an extra key, you'll likely need to get a replacement at a dealership and provide proof of ownership, according to Carfax. The dealership will then program a new key to work with your car. This may take a few days, during which they will need to hold onto the car.
Dismantle the plastic cover below the steering wheel which houses all the electronics. Then insert a screwdriver into the ignition flaps and force it in using a hammer or by using a drill first. Then turn the screwdriver in the same direction you would as the car key. This will start the car.
The average cost for an Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement is between $240 and $286. Labor costs are estimated between $71 and $89 while parts are priced between $170 and $196.
The ignition lock cylinder is a mechanical part where the ignition key is inserted to start a vehicle. It's mounted inside the ignition switch, the electrical component that locks the ignition and “reads” anti-theft coding in the key to allow the vehicle to start.
You can replace the ignition switch yourself, but it's not an easy task: you will have to remove the steering wheel and work close to the airbag - which can be dangerous.
Since the pins are hidden inside the lock, it's fairly difficult for most people to move the plug without the correct key. But, with a lot of practice, it is possible to solve the puzzle by other means. In the next section, we'll see how a locksmith goes about picking this sort of lock.
A modern set of lock picks for pin cylinder locks
Most modern lock pick sets will have a couple of these specially designed rakes with a tension wrench or two to work on the driver pins and key pins to open the lock.
As a solution to this, it is possible to construct cylinder locks so that multiple locks can be operated by a single key commonly known as a “Master Key”. It's further possible to have multiple locking cylinder groups and multiple master keys all part of a suite of locking cylinders – we call this a Master Key System.
If you have lose your keys and can't get a replacement, if the key is broken and stuck in the cylinder, or if the cylinder is damaged and won't turn, you'll need to drill it out. Drilling out an ignition lock cylinder is a last resort option, but it's one that will get your car started if all else fails.
At their most basic, ignition cylinders are simply locks and can be reconfigured as such. An experienced auto locksmith can take the cylinder apart and reconfigure its internal components for compatibility with a new key. The cost of rekeying your car's ignition will likely be between $120 and $225.
Keyed to differ is standard, and every cylinder comes with its own set of keys unique to that cylinder.
In the case of lock cylinders, they often specify BS3621. Under this standard, cylinders must be 6-pin models to achieve the minimum specification. Insurers are well aware that the 5-pin versions are more vulnerable to attack.
K tool: The K tool is used to remove a cylinder lock. The K tool itself consists of a steel block roughly 3 x 3 inches by 1-inch thick with a K-shaped notch on one side, having sharp edges that grip the cylinder, and a U-shaped flange on the other side.
How long does it take to replace an ignition cylinder? Depending on the make and model of the car, replacing the ignition cylinder will usually take between 15 minutes to an hour.
In order to change your lock, you can replace your entire lock, or you can replace just the cylinder. Again, you can take just the cylinder to a locksmith to be rekeyed, also.
In a car with an automatic transmission, the vehicle must be set to the park position before you can remove your key from the ignition. If you drive a car with a manual transmission and have trouble getting your key out of the ignition, move your shifter to neutral.
Bypassing a broken ignition switch is quite a technical procedure that will require a little more than just a manual and a keen sense of learning. The best case scenario is that you take your car to a professional to handle it or simply just replace the switch.