**Replacing Ignition**

Hi,

My car was recently broken into, I have no idea why, the car is an eye-sore, but since I bought it six years ago, I haven't put one penny into it, doesn't burn oil, good on gas ... I'm driving this thing till it dies, it has 280,000k's on it and still going strong.

Anyways, the idiot broke out the ignition but wasn't able to go any further. I was wondering out of a scale of 1 and 10, how difficult is is to buy a used ignition and replace it? I know a lot about vehicles and bought a manual for it from Canadian Tire, but nowhere in it does it state how to replace it.

I was wondering if anyone would have any detailed instructions on how to do so. I have everything taken off the steering column and ready to proceed, I was just wondering if it was drilling out the two pegs on the top ... of course, I tried to hotwire it, and I know how to do that ( don't ask) and it didn't work. I'm worried something electrical has burnt out, yet, the interiour lights still work.

Any help with this problem would be GREATLY appreciated.

:banghead:

Hotwiring wont work because the factory Theft System, but you are lucky I actually sell ignitions, and have about 8 in stock right now. It is the easiest thing to replace. ALl you do is take the column cover off, and there is a little button on the back where the ignition goes in that you push in to pull it out, problem is you have to be able to turn the key into the ON position for the button to press in. SO what you have to do is get a very fine flathead screwdriver with a long shaft, and pry the button out, once that is done, unclip the electrical connector and pull it out! To install turn the key to the on position with the new one, push the button in and slide it in, plug the electrical connector back on, then try to start the car, it will start then die, and then the theft system light will start flashing, you have to wait approx. 10 minutes, when the light either goes out or goes solid the car is now ready to use again! If you need an ignition, let me know, tell me your year and if its a auto or standard transmission, I should have one if you want it. I usually charge $70 plus $10 to ship it to you. A lot cheaper then getting it anywhere else. I had to do this once on my own, took me 10 minutes to do and then another 10 to wait for the light to stop blinking.

The car is a 1992 Cavalier, I guess I should have stated that in the first post.

I kinda know what you mean about the ignition part, but where the key goes in, that part is all knocked out, I can physically see all the way through the ignition to the other side.

And on the left side of that, there are two connecters that I removed undamaged. I was under the impression that I would have to replace the whole ignition, the whole metal part. I don't really know how else to describe it.

ok ill tell u this my ignition locked up on my 97 and they cant get it out they said that i have to buy a whole steerin coloum and all that cause it is just locked in place and they cant turn it to get the ignition out and that ignition lock cylinder is a 197.00$ and it dont come with keys u have to use your old tumblers.... can any one help me with this problem???? PLEASE....:confused: :crying:

They are wrong, I have a 97 Z24 that locked up too, I got a used cylinder that worked, that came with the key in it, and since you cant turn the locked one to get the whole cylinder out, there is the little button on the back of the cylinder your supposed to push in when you turn it to pull the cylinder out, what you do is get a long REALLY SKINNY flathead screwdriver and pry the button out, it takes some time but it will pop out, and then you can pull it out, took me about 20 minutes of prying to get mine out, the button is only held in by a thin piece of bendable metal, heres a picture of my locked one i pryed out, where the pipe cleaner is stick out is where the button used to be before i pryed the button out to get it out, notice the metal strip that was holding it in, very weak and easy to bend. Now once you get it out, I sell these cylinders for $80 plus $10 to ship them, and it comes with the key for it too. You dont need a new steering column, jsut to pry that little button out. If you want a cylinder from me, just send me a message, we will work something out.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/yhandor/DSC00427.jpg