[79firebird_99TA]

Lately if I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any at all. My 99TA heater core started leaking on my way home from work Friday. So yesterday I took the `79 out and the key broke flush into the lock cylinder and I couldn't pull it out or turn it. I had it towed home and the wrecker driver had a hell of a time with it, seeing that the column was locked.

My question is - is this as simple as just changing the lock cyclinder? Or should I call a locksmith? Just curious about opinions.

[Grand73Am]

I guess it's a door lock that you broke the key off in?

First thing I'd try is using a small, sharp pick and some tweezers to see if I could stick the pic in far enough to pry the piece of the key out enough to grab it with tweezers and pull out.

If that fails, I'd remove the lock and take it to a locksmith who can take the lock apart and get it out. And he can make you another key while you're there. This way you keep your original lock that will still match the others, and use the same key.

[TAKerry]

Need to clarify where the lock broke? I have changed both cylinders in the door and steering column. Neither were that big of a deal, although the column was a bit trickier. Unless your worried about originality with key no.'s and all, new cylinders are pretty cheap. My guess much less so than what 'smith is going to charge.

[78w72]

sounds like its the ignition since he said the column was locked & it had to be towed home. if it was the door lock these cars are pretty easy to get into & i imagine he could have figured that out before needing it towed.

as mentioned, try a pick of some form & maybe tweezers or small needle nose pliers, should be able to get it out with some effort. i had a key break in my 78 t/a back in high school days & luckily it was in all the way & allowed me to turn the ignition to start the car, but also luckily the car was never stolen because anyone that knew or tried could have started it without a key!

changing the lock cylinder is pretty basic, just need to take the top of the column apart & theres youtube vids to show that or in a repair manual.

[Scott Thelander]

how could the key break with 2 big azz ears on both sides of the key ?

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Scott Thelander

how could the key break with 2 big azz ears on both sides of the key ?

pretty easy actually, you can accidentally hit it in between those ears. or in my case the key was bent from using it for other things like popping out fuses etc & after years of abuse it just got too brittle & broke. have had that happen more than once with door/trunk lock keys & even house keys.

[79firebird_99TA]

Unfortunately the big ears have been broken for a while now. The broken key was in the steering column, hence the column being locked. Being a 4 speed, unless you force the linkage, it's stuck in reverse.

[79firebird_99TA]

Originally Posted by 78w72

sounds like its the ignition since he said the column was locked & it had to be towed home. if it was the door lock these cars are pretty easy to get into & i imagine he could have figured that out before needing it towed.

as mentioned, try a pick of some form & maybe tweezers or small needle nose pliers, should be able to get it out with some effort. i had a key break in my 78 t/a back in high school days & luckily it was in all the way & allowed me to turn the ignition to start the car, but also luckily the car was never stolen because anyone that knew or tried could have started it without a key!

changing the lock cylinder is pretty basic, just need to take the top of the column apart & theres youtube vids to show that or in a repair manual.

It is a very easy job to do. The part is 25 bucks and 20 minutes of work. A lot better a route than a locksmith. Plus with the new part, I'll have the ears that I've not had in years.

[Grand73Am]

I guessed door, since the column would still be locked if you were locked out of the car until you got home.

But since it's the column, I'd just buy a new ignition lock cylinder and replace it. Fortunately the ignition is the only one on that key, so it doesn't have to match any other locks.

[79firebird_99TA]

Yeah .. I was thinking that. It was a pain getting it towed with it stuck in gear and the wheels not quite straight.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 79firebird_99TA

Unfortunately the big ears have been broken for a while now. The broken key was in the steering column, hence the column being locked. Being a 4 speed, unless you force the linkage, it's stuck in reverse.

Originally Posted by 79firebird_99TA

Yeah .. I was thinking that. It was a pain getting it towed with it stuck in gear and the wheels not quite straight.

for future reference, you can unlock the column/gear shifter from under the hood. the lock out linkage is connected to the arm of the column in the engine bay near the brake booster, just pull the lock pin & unhook the rod from the column arm, then you can move the column collar & the gear shifter. have had to do that numerous times when dolly towing a non running car so the steering wheel would stay locked but the trans could be put in neutral.

[1969GiPper]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

I guessed door, since the column would still be locked if you were locked out of the car until you got home.

But since it's the column, I'd just buy a new ignition lock cylinder and replace it. Fortunately the ignition is the only one on that key, so it doesn't have to match any other locks.

X2

Unless you’re experienced with the internals of GM steering columns of that vintage don’t try to do it yourself.

[79firebird_99TA]

Originally Posted by 78w72

for future reference, you can unlock the column/gear shifter from under the hood. the lock out linkage is connected to the arm of the column in the engine bay near the brake booster, just pull the lock pin & unhook the rod from the column arm, then you can move the column collar & the gear shifter. have had to do that numerous times when dolly towing a non running car so the steering wheel would stay locked but the trans could be put in neutral.

True. I didn't have any tools with me and I was in the church parking lot. I was actually lucky that the wrecker was able to fit in the parking deck. I did go a ahead and force it out of reverse, but the column was still locked.

[Sirrotica]

When I worked at a Pontiac dealer, pretty common occurrence for the key to break off in the ignition lock. The parts manager had a very fine wire blade that could be pushed in next to the key. The teeth were directional and would grab the key and back out the broken portion. it looked like a very fine saw blade, the ones on the left side of this picture of locksmith tools.



BTW, this set is available online for $8.

Link: https://www.cesdeals.com/products/10...caAqj8EALw_wcB

Changing ignition locks isn't that complicated. If you can read, and follow directions, or watch a youtube video, you should be able to pull it off.

[Stuart]

Note that this was an old discussion, bumped to the top by a spammer who's been banned.

[79firebird_99TA]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Changing ignition locks isn't that complicated. If you can read, and follow directions, or watch a youtube video, you should be able to pull it off.

Oh yeah ... I swapped it out the next day. Not the first one I've replaced!