I need the forum readers help.. I have to replace the ignition lock cylinder on my 93 Legacy SW it is totally worn out. Is there a easy way to do this ? My repair manuals mention splitting the two half's of the steering column, I have done other vech's that there is a release pin to push on with a small diameter pin and the cylinder will slide out. Please help....thanks

I need the forum readers help.. I have to replace the ignition lock cylinder on my 93 Legacy SW it is totally worn out. Is there a easy way to do this ? My repair manuals mention splitting the two half's of the steering column, I have done other vech's that there is a release pin to push on with a small diameter pin and the cylinder will slide out. Please help....thanks

 

 

I have seen doing it by a lock smith , but I do not remember exactly.

(more then one year ago) , but it is definively a release pin to push , and everything pops out. No splitting , nor drills or so

you have to have the key in it turned to one of the positions (cant remember which one) and then press the release pin and it comes right out. i just did it the other day, if you still can't figure it out i could take some pictures to show you.

Thanks for the input, starting to sound better already ! I'm off Friday and will give it a look. Thanks a million...

Thanks for the input, starting to sound better already ! I'm off Friday and will give it a look. Thanks a million...

although it maybe could be done with the plastic shroud in place, it would only be by someone who has done it several times before.

 

there are 3 screws on the under side of the plastic surrounding the steering column. they are recess, you will need a long thin phillips screwdriver.

once these are removed, you will need to seperate the top half from the bottom. the bottom half maybe a little tricky, you may need to move, wiggle, the lever controlling steering wheel tilt. be gentle.

 

put the key in the ignition, and turn it . then look on the under side, floor side i think, of the ignition lock cylinder , there is a pin about 1/8"+ in diameter, press this in and pull on the key and the cylinder will slide out. DETAILS: i'm always using a paper clip that i have streched out, it needs to have a very small elbow on the end , about a 1/4 inch, this isn't stiff enough, so it is always a challenge. an ICEPICK with a small hook would be perfect.

 

any key cylinder from 91 - 99 at least will work, also nissan of similar years will work. for 20$ you can have the lock smith re-key the new cylinder to match the existing key. BUT: your problem may be a worn cylinder. not a bad cylinder. for the same 20$, you maybe able to get the existing cylinder re-keyed so it will work with a matching new key.

 

keys and cylinders wear at the same time, new pins in the cylinder and new matching key may solve your proble

 

after you put it all back together , be sure to turn off the virgin switch on top of the steering column.

Well the new lock cylinder is installed and all is well, no more binding or removing the key while the car is running, that feature had it's benifits...lol The complete job took about 20 minutes including making a special service tool to depress the retaining pin. Thanks for the input from the readers....