How to Replace or Fix an Ignition Lock Cylinder to Unlock Steering Wheel - With or Without a Key

In this video I show you a couple of methods you can use to fix a stuck or sticky ignition lock cylinder or if that fails to remove it with or without a key so that you unlock your steering wheel or replace it.
Tri-Flow Superior Lubricant: amzn.to/2b0G5OH
Please consider supporting this channel: / ratchets
Please Consider Supporting My Channel at : / rnw
Facebook: / ratchets2015
Twitter: / ratchets15
Instagram: / ratchetsandwrenches
Here are some other video's you may find interesting:
How to Restore a Hazy Headlight: • Ultimate Guide on How ...
How a Car's Starting System Works: • How a Car's Starting S...
How to Test a Car Battery: • How to Test a Car Batt...
If this video helped you out please don't forget to subscribe, give it a thumbs up or if you are feeling generous leaving a tip by clicking the " i " button on the top right corner of the screen. Thank you very much for your support!
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchetsand Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchetsand Wrenches.

[@Mark-md7sd]

This video is the absolute best to demonstrate all of the ignition mechanisms from the lock on the steering to the removal of the actual ignition module. I was working to pick the cylinder with racking the tumblers and I realized that this was never going to happen with a double tumbler etc. I found this video and realized all I had to do was to remove the detent that kept the cyclinder in place (without having to get to the ACC position to press the detent down). This guy REPRESENTS the best in DIY videos that saves millions of Americans millions in repair costs. KUDOs

[@royelgriffith5429]

Thank you !! As a woman I was taught that we don't do automotive work but I change my brakes on my 2000 Lexus RX300 it was one of the easiest things I've ever done but now my ignition lock cylinder has locked and I cannot turn the key whatsoever and done everything I've learned it so now I purchased a new ignition lock cylinder and I'm going to attempt to do it myself. Your video has helped me tremendously and I'm going to see if it actually works plus I'm going to do my own video about it

[@lisahughesnowwilhelmi2465]

How did it come out? Tell me all about it. I am trying to replace mine but the part didn't work so I put the old one back and now I am going to think about it.

[@marcellemay7721]

I tried the lube and wiggling and tapping the key with a sharp blow. I really didn't want to destroy the lock cylinder, but I had to. I was an hour away from home trying to get home from work. Thank God I had some tools. I proceeded to smash a flat screw driver into the lock to smash all the tumblers and then I was able to get a vice grip on the cylinder to turn it. The key is a chipped key, so there's a ring that goes around the cylinder with a circuit board attached to prevent people from doing what I did to start it. If the key is not in the close proximity to that ring the car will turn over but will not start. Fortunately I didn't destroy that electronic ring and circuit board. I was able to get the key into the now loose hole in the cylinder and turn the cylinder with a vice grip and it started. I was able to get home from work. It took me an hour but after watching this video, I was able to get out of there within 15 minutes. The ignition cylinder gave no warning of being wonky prior to this. It was working fine and then suddenly just didn't.

[@scoobz1080p]

I was about to ride the bus for the 2nd day in a row, drop $150 on new ignition, then $100 to program the keys. Wd40, tapped on the key w a small propane tank (all I had) and it started right up!! THANK YOU SIR!! 300 comments saying it worked and I’m glad I tried it!!

[@MrBoTowne]

Thank you! Thank you! I drive a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and recently lost my keys. Had a new key cut which didn't work, um, and just to make things worse... I wiggled the new key around so much I thought "Oh, crap! Now I've done it." So, I then ordered a new ignition only to realize the difficulties which come with removing one in the lock position. Then, I looked in the last place I would think to look, and voila, found my original key... now, even they wouldn't turn, so I followed this guy's directions with the WD40 and hammer--- IT WORKED! Cool beans! Take care and thanks again. Bo

[@markottoson2216]

Thanks so much !! 2001 Volvo v70 , 165,000 miles.. Lubricating the lock cylinder alone did not correct... Had to tap on the key with a hammer... Worked great !

[@petrichor3797]

THABK YOU!!! You are now my most beloved KZbin person in all of Existence. IT WORKED!!! Wacking the key with a hammer ACTUALLY WORKED!!!! 😍

[@MrJackDempsey]

The hammer did the trick. A thank you is not enough. 🙏🏾

[@jeremybrodigan4352]

I was stuck at the beach and almost paid $280 for a locksmith to come replace the ignition. Hammer time totally worked lol. THANK YOU!

[@sassyrav]

The flat screwdriver, hammer and wiggling the key did the trick thankyou SO much! It literally unlocked within about 5 seconds with the help of a friend wiggling the key. Brilliant! The barrel on my 99 Toyota Hilux was all but stuffed but once it unlocked turning it to start the car was relatively easy. Got it home, set it to ACC to pull the old barrel out and replace it. And i was told by a mechanic who looked at it that I needed to have the car towed to their workshop......

[@kathym7495]

Thank you! I was able to get the key out of the ignition of my husband's 2000 Explorer. I just kept pulling the steering wheel back and forth and the key came unstuck! You saved us hundreds of dollars! One guy quoted a minimum of $300 and possibly more.

[@garywalter5841]

I have been a locksmith for over 25 years NASA s water displacement number 40 mix is what all locksmiths I know use the tri flow being so good we recommend it is BS chip a transponder radio transmitier

[@usedcars6680]

That was one of the best, most thorough, and enjoyable how to videos I have ever seen. I now understand ignition lock system, and ideas how to fix the "no key" problem Thank You awesome guy

[@adamytuarte9458]

Used Cars can you start with screw driver

[@centraterasen]

Thank you for the vid. It was of great help. I managed to remove the assembly and had locksmith fix the cylinder. Saved pile of money. Really thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@tomnelsondrums]

Awesome! I watched your video, and the hammer tap on the end of the key while in the ignition trick freed my lock. After many other tricks I was happy to not have to tear it all apart or go the screwdriver route.

[@johnnyjimj]

THANK YOU! Thanks to your great video I was able to get the lock out and get the truck going again. Once the mechanism was out, I managed to get the cylinder working by removing the front key flange (drilling out two rivets) then punching the inner cylinder out though the front. Once out I removed the worn out brass pins and teeny springs with some pliers, reinstalled the cylinder into the barrel, the mechanism into the column and got the car to the garage :-)

[@tedrishforth2382]

Excellent video; we were able to get my son's 2007 Sonata back on the road over the holiday weekend by successfully removing the lock cylinder and leveraging a pair of needle nose pliers for the on-start-off duties. I love how the mechanic in this video describes progressively more drastic / destructive techniques for getting the lock cylinder into the "ACC" position. The pliers on the key worked for us! A replacement key and lock cylinder will be procured from the dealer as soon as they open. :-)

[@markcates749]

Was the key completely locked in the off position? I have a 2008 sonata and I can't get the ignition to turn at all...

[@lyndseymaldonado5246]

@@markcates749 mine just did same thing today. What did you do?

[@markcates749]

@@lyndseymaldonado5246 It was actually a process, if you're key will not turn then you will have to remove the ignition, there is a small pin on the side of your ignition that when push releases to ignition cylinder, I had to drill mine out because I could not get the key to turn to push the pin in and release it, but once you get the old, bad cylinder free a new one is pretty cheap, let me find the video I used on KZbin

[@markcates749]

@@lyndseymaldonado5246 a shop might charge you a good bit, if you know a reliable guy that can work on cars it wouldn't be a bad job for him to do, all you gotta do is take the ignition down, it's a few wire clips and 3 bolts, drill the tiny release pin, put the new cylinder back in.

[@markcates749]

@@lyndseymaldonado5246 I just watched this video over, check how he drills the pin, once you get the cylinder free you're good to go

[@brianbieler3836]

Had my ignition locked, looking for diy vids, saw yours with a chisel and a hammer and knew this video would solve the problem lol. Thanks, it did.

[@ben2go9866]

Thank you so much! Been stuck for an hour not knowing what to do. I kept turning the key and the steering. But when I tried to hammer the key and Turing it unlocked!! Thanks for saving me $$$$

[@bighairyandloudtv]

Saved me 100 bucks on having a locksmith come out. Liked and subbed. 👍

[@kamekaaskew3787]

WD40 works you turn your stereo wheel? Left and right give it a little shake. God is good. Thank you. This really works you guys I recommend.❤❤

[@thegovernment0usa]

It worked! Thank you! My 2002 Impala started right up after maybe sixty seconds of fiddling with it and tapping the key GENTLY but rapidly with a lightweight metal hammer.

[@IndiDSLR]

I seriously appreciate this video. I already had blisters on my thumb and finger from trying all the normal solutions and was about to look for outside help. But after a decent amount of persuasion from a hammer and a lot of patience, my cylinder finally freed itself! I'm half tempted to pull it out but it seems to be behaving just fine now with both of my keys. I wonder what caused it to stick because this has never happened before! It was pretty hot out today but that's nothing new. No issues last time I drove my car. At least I wasn't going anywhere vital!

[@jay8058]

Its January 18 2024. I know you did this video 8 years ago and probably won't see this but I wanted to say thanks for the valuable information. I was able to fix my rav4 in less than 20 minutes using this video as a guide.

[@teajelmore]

Brother, THANK YOU! I've been messing with this for days and today i tried tapping while turning and it worked! Thank you for your awesome share. God bless you!

[@alexanderdetomasi1655]

On my way to put these instructions and tips to the test myself right now. Best explanation of viable options out of 10ish videos and 20 articles read today. Most instructions are assuming you can turn the key if you're trying to replace the ignition lock cylinder (which is a weird assumption, considering...). Appreciate this guy for giving lots of options/ideas basically in order of the right way to F it grab the hammer and drill with a step-bit. Thank you sir!

[@Dike2011]

How did it go?

[@aurelienyonrac]

Did it work?

[@aurelienyonrac]

​@@Dike2011 still locked in his car. 😅

[@Dike2011]

@@aurelienyonrac lol

[@andysmith9140]

Nice one, I follled your video and tapped the key with a window scraper (all I had) and it freed up the mechanism. Top banana, many thanks from across the pond

[@donovanmccallum3934]

major upvote! this video deserves more views

[@josephlawsonpromatrix9948]

Great video. WD40 and the hammer method worked. Nothing else I came across worked. Thanks so much.

[@wisefellaowlmaster8366]

Still works today! Key wouldn't turn at all. I had to wiggle for hours to even hope to get it to turn. Just some patience and little hammer hits and voilà!

[@josephgiordano5026]

Great job explaining each alternative! ..and if THAT doesn't work, do this. Love it. 😆

[@hankschrader149]

Thanks man!! I Used the hammer to key trick and it worked without too much force. Appreciate your great and thorough video! 👍👍

[@donaldpharand7123]

Great stuff!!!Thanks so much. So simple. Wish I would have seen this 2 days ago before my $140 towing. I don't even need a lock on my ignition where I live. Love your Texas accent also!!

[@gcastillo4350]

Good video I've tried a few of these ideas and so far they have worked. I really haven't tried banging in the screwdriver but I will try that next. The cylinder is shot anyways.

[@ahdasick]

THEE best video for this subject, looked all over google and this is the only video with an actual explanation and solutions! Thanks!

[@baltofstrasenberg7396]

A good tip you can use if you have a chipped car, cut open the back of your key, and super glue the chip to the ignition coil. The chip comes out. When I broke my key for my Toyota, the key maker just cut it open, cut a new key, and put the old chip in the new key. Significantly cheaper than getting a new programmed chip. Also if you have AAA they’ll do it free.

[@anthonyholloway2573]

Nope

[@ericanwin]

Thankyou so much! I used the hammer directly on the key method. took 4 or 5 tries but worked great!

[@brandonelliott7297]

Excellent video indeed! Thanks for walking us through the steps and not over complicating the process of removing and reinstalling a new ignition cylinder. Of all the dozens of videos I’ve watched, this one was perhaps the most helpful. Thanks again for your work!

[@timothynabors3601]

Excellent video thankyou

[@ks999s]

yes my ignition cylinder brook by thief..this is helpful.

[@JayLee-lr6kg]

​@@ks999s

[@mjtsquints71]

I did exactly as instructed in this video. I hammered a screwdriver into the ignition until I was able to turn it to acc. The locksmith wanted to charge me $300.00 and I was like, "suck my balls!" Went to the auto parts store and purchased the replacement ignition for $42.00 and saved myself a bunch of money...and I didn't have to switch to Geico. Thanks bud!

[@myRatchets]

haha nice, np.

[@andyhatfield7757]

What about a door key?

[@bigearl8687]

@@myRatchets will a bad key ignition assembly, shut down your car while driving? I have to shake it 2 start it, 5 minutes or more ,it shut off,wait about 30 minutes,sometimes an hour then it starts up again

[@brandyellison9579]

P

[@tnamen1307]

@@myRatchets I can't turn the i20 Hyundai 1.2 petrol ignition key to ON position. It's stuck at OFF and steering wheel is locked. I wiggle the steering wheel but still it's stuck at OFF. In fact, the key should be at ACC and a pin under the ignition be pressed to let the tumbler come out easily. But, I can't make the key to acc, on or start!!! So, how to remove the ignition cylinder under this situation?? Please kindly help. It's emergency.

[@streetrc12]

THANKS! DRILLING OUT THAT PIN SAVED ME A LOT OF TIME!

[@joemandola547]

2004 Pontiac Grand am. Your video was a pocket saver! Thank you!!!

[@bben3971]

Well done video with lots of suggestions if first one doesn't work!

[@davidmcguire6335]

Thanks, you saved me a lot of money. Tried a lot of other suggestions but yours worked!

[@choronzon.333]

Thanks,this was the only video that helped me fix the problem

[@chriscipres708]

BEST VIDEO ON KZbin FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE!! 100%!! 2THMBS UP

[@jeromematt3]

Thanks you just saved me a couple bucks. I was waiting for AAA to come and watch this video and then just hit it with a block of wood lightly and it worked

[@flapjackson6077]

Great video! I love when people explain things clearly and thoroughly! Great job!

[@50minz]

Ty ty ty this hammer trick absolutely worked absolutely genius on my 09 lancer gts fn awes

[@50minz]

Sorry its the simplest tap on key in ignition with rubber hammer it worked amazing

[@SmilingSunshineLover]

Thank you so much!!! We were trying different things for so long until we were led to your video. The hammer trick worked like a charm and now it works just fine! You saved us so much money. Right around the holidays, too. I'm so grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[@SH-jv5uf]

Alexandra C- so did you have to replace the cylinder or is it original now working normally?

[@SmilingSunshineLover]

The original is working for us!

[@carlwinn]

Thanks for the video! It really helped me.

[@andreapelayo781]

Thank you for sharing this. Literally just helped me out with stuck key 🗝️🔑🙏👍

[@markbersch8679]

Brilliant! Car sat in the drive for a few days. Couldn't get the key to turn. Tried the WD-40. Learned the hammer trick from this video. All systems now GO. Thanks so much!!!

[@SH-jv5uf]

Mark Bersch- so did you end up replacing the cylinder or does the original still work.

[@pamelapearson4210]

Thank you! the hammer tap trick worked for me!

[@znarfoal694]

It’s the last resort and it works Thanks 🙏 for sharing your the Best Forget About the Rest !!

[@janinewyngaardt4962]

Thank you guys for your help I really appreciate it, keep up the good work. You are great mechanics who really no how and what to do. God bless

[@rossyoriginals]

Another helpful video! Thanks.

[@khalidgaffer7]

Great tips! thx for sharing.

[@mikevonkleist6767]

Alan Miller, as good as you probably are, we do repair these things. Appreciate your expertise. We have some too.

[@TheMusicEloquence]

Thank you!! God bless you the hammer (in my case punching the key in) worked!!

[@scratchman274]

Thank you. Saved my day

[@jessejohn7502]

Good thing I saw this, I was getting tired of having to hotwire every car I stole

[@gaminlemn8675]

Thank u for this video it helped me turn my car on. Thanks 4 posting this video.

[@KeaganLegit]

Thank you so much for this video! You just saved me so much headache. I'll be getting a new ignition cylinder tommorrow. I'm using my needle nose pliers to start my car until then. 🤣

[@travismcinroy8860]

I’m a locksmith, we only use Houdini! It’s the best

[@shanf748]

Thanks a bunch - the lubricant idea worked for me. My car get get a few more trips in now before I replace the barrel. I'll be taking the hammer, WD-40, screwdriver, hammer and towel with me in the car wherever I go from now on :).

[@barryhoover2999]

VIDEO HELPED GREATLY THANKS

[@shadowtrell9961]

You are fantastic! Thanks for the video!

[@madelynnebroyles9822]

This guy is a life saver

[@lancando]

Absolutely outstanding!

[@thelandscapingking310]

This is the real video what I need to do thank you I’ll keep u updated how I do

[@golddiggerxxxxx]

Great video !! Thanks.

[@PeaceAndKevinHart]

This was the best video! Thank you so much, saved me at least 300 bucks

[@davidlangella7272]

Literally just did this and it worked!!!!!

[@poison8001]

Yoo brotha it did work on elantra 2013 i ve struggling till I found you thank u soo much

[@candicehutchins1365]

This is by far the best video to watch for this information

[@oliverrodriguez9012]

Got the cylinder out by drilling the pin out Thanks !👍

[@garya1625]

Wow, you killed it!

[@avanighetia8245]

This 100% works!! Thank you thank you!!!!

[@tommyheta161]

Mean bro this was the best to explain and on to the fault straight away ....thanks so much ...anyone reading my add it's all their ....mean

[@beatboy7kgaming]

Thank you! About to try this with an rsx!

[@ulic08]

Hi, thanks for your advice you got me out of a trouble.

[@schwinn434]

Excellent video - thank you

[@juanyepez4529]

Thank you so much this help me out a lot 😊

[@jcuddlerrose]

very helpful thank you

[@21degrees]

Excellent Video

[@shaeladeneault8041]

Thank you!!!! You saved me juggling my key worked

[@G_star45]

Nice video keep up your gr8 work . We appreciate people like you helping us out with diy . Saved me a lot of cash watching your videos.

[@myRatchets]

+tiger king People saving cash is music to my ears. Cheers

[@genelindfors5144]

Very well done. Thanks...

[@sassyrav]

WD-40 does sell a product designed for this. Its called WD-40 Specialist Anti Friction DRY PTFE lubericant. Its a dry film that resists dirt, dust and oil. It's a spray.

[@Upstream2020]

Thanks bro, nothing would work (Scion Xb) and video's said to turn the stuck wheel to the left. I hit it with WD 40 and then turned hard to the "right" presto! Thanks again man!

[@FireMoodsMedia]

This video saved me when I was stuck in a unsecured place I tapped the Key with a metal object and started

[@bosschile4049]

Thanks hammer helped get it turned

[@TinkeringTom91]

Thank you so much I use that hammer trick with a soft rubber mallet + wd40 and it worked

[@pedroaguilar2754]

thanks. very helpful

[@jakehealthx]

THANK YOU!!

[@lillianmontesdeoca9590]

Great video thanks

[@bthor76]

Another hammer mechanic.

[@jacqbowie7504]

bthor76 i

[@gamerfromdimapur6668]

It works thank you so much bro

[@jerrycerda1245]

Dude i was sitting here all mad because i couldn't start my truck so i tried the WD40 and it turned over thank you so much

[@peterdobbs5501]

the wire has broke in the steering coloum in my Bedford ca how can I replace it please