Steering lock/key troubles

[FireCkrEd]

Hi Everyone,

Seems Im having steering lock problems. When I put the key in it will not un-lock and turn the ignition switch. The steering wheel will spin, the steering lock isnt locking the wheel. If I wiggle the key for sometimes as long as 30 seconds then it will un-lock the ignition switch and act normal till I turn it off and take the key out. It's a 95 4 door Sidekick with a standard trans.

Ed

[Bex]

Presumably the steering lock is no longer working, if the steering wheel will not lock up at all. The steering lock assembly is bolted on to the steering column. I believe you need to remove the steering column in order to replace this. Although it is adjustable (when putting a new one on, it must be lined up properly) it is unlikely that this goes out of adjustment as it the bolts holding it are torqued until the bolt heads break off, but you would need to visually check your steering lock to see if it has gone out of alignment. I personally (fortunately) had never had to deal with this.
In order to get the lock off, as per the FSM, you first remove the steering column, then remove the steering lock bolts carefully using a hammer and chisel to remove them. Then with the key in the ACC or ON position, the steering lock can be removed from the column. There is a procedure of alignment when replacing the column on to the steering shaft, as well. If you need diagrams or FSM instructions, I can upload them for you.

[fordem]

Let's define the problem accurately - the ignition switch is basically an electrical switch assembly attached to the end of the steering lock - if the key unlocks the steering lock, and allows the wheel to be turned, the steering lock is probably intact, and you can focus on the electrical side of it.

Disassemble the column shroud and make sure the switch is properly attached to the lock (it's most likely attached with two phillips head screws)

[FireCkrEd]

Originally Posted by fordem

Let's define the problem accurately - the ignition switch is basically an electrical switch assembly attached to the end of the steering lock - if the key unlocks the steering lock, and allows the wheel to be turned, the steering lock is probably intact, and you can focus on the electrical side of it.

Disassemble the column shroud and make sure the switch is properly attached to the lock (it's most likely attached with two phillips head screws)

I pulled the shroud off and everything seems ok. The steering wheel lock isnt locking. I may try to live with it for awhile and keep wiggling the key. If I pull it apart I hope I dont have to get a new factory part, Im sure they are costly....

Ed

[fordem]

I haven't pulled a Sidekick ignition steering/lock apart, just several others - it's fairly common to be able to replace the two sections separately - another option, which I have seen used (haven't needed to use it personally) is to fit a separate ignition switch, leaving the steering lock in place and unlocked.

[riley]

Here is a utube vid that shows how to replace the key tumbler in your ignition switch. This guy acts a little rough but seems to know his stuff and shows you step by step how to remove tumbler.

Fixing A Broken Ignition Switch - YouTube

Fixing A Broken Ignition Switch - YouTube

[Bex]

Curious. I am certainly not an expert on how this works. But, presumably, there is something that, even with the key out of the ignition, locks the steering column when the steering wheel is turned from one side to the other.
In re-reading the first post, yes, I imagine there is a tumbler problem as you cannot get the key to turn from lock to on without wiggling it. (Try spraying WD40 into the lock itself and on the key, and then see if you can work it back and forth, as a possible 'repair'). But shouldn't the steering column itself be locking up?

[fordem]

If the key is inserted into the cylinder, and the tumblers (actually sliders) line up, the cylinder can be turned - along with whatever is physically attached to it, in this case, the steering lock and the ignition switch - if the key and/or the sliders are worn - there may be difficulty in getting the cylinder to turn, but once the cylinder turns it will usually operate whatever is attached to it.

In the case of the steering lock - there is a spring loaded "plunger" which retracts when the steering is unlocked and is released when the cylinder is turned to the lock position, at which time the spring will hold it against the column shaft, but it will not enter the recess in the shaft unless the recess is directly above it (the lock is usually mounted on the underside of the column), if the wheel is rotated, the plunger will enter the recess and lock the steering.

[riley]

The steering wheel not locking up to me is a bonus, no more calls from my wife that the car won't start. The little tab sometimes gets broken off from some one reefing on the steering wheel hard. If the poster has a couple of keys try the other keys.

[FireCkrEd]

I tried my extra keys and exact same thing. I have a day off tomorrow if I don't get too busy I'm going to drill out the bolts in the lock mechanism and go from there...

Ed