my 1999 Safari van ignition switch locked on us. What can I do?
Country: United StatesMake: GMCModel: Safari VanYear: 1999 Already Tried: tried to remove ignition, but can't
When yu say the ignition switch locked on you, do you mean the switch will not turn with the key from off to start, or did the key get stuck in it with the switch ion the ion position?
the key will not turn, in the past we could jiggle the key and it would then turn the igntion, not now it is locked/frozen, we can get a key in and out but that is all
To replacethe ignition switch and key, you will have to remove the air bag, steering wheel, the clock spring for the air bag, the lock plate that locks thge steering wheel, the turn signal switch, then you can remove the bolt that holds the ignition switch in. If you need diagrams I will be happy to brovide you with them.
so we don't have to replace the steering column
can you email me the diagrams
Ket me se if I have a break down ofr this column for you to go by. be back asap.
I am sorry I was slightly incorrect on the switch replacment, The steering wheel does not have to be removed. The lower cover has to be pulled, as well as the top cover, you will have to drill out the center of the ignition switch with a 3/4 inch drill bit. To do this, pry the finger turn piece off of the end of the swithc " I use a pair of chanel locks" by moveing the chanel locks back and forth so you are rocking the finger turn piece to to bottom. then you can drill the center of the lock out. There is a small hole on the top of the locks housing that you have to push down on as you are turning the center of the lock with a flat head screw driver so the switch will turn to the run posuition, then the little button will go down just a little bit more and you can them slide the switch out of the housing, Then inswert your new switch into the housing. you can get a new switch with a new key " it will not be the same key as you hae so keep the old oe to unlock the doors" from your local auto parts store.
Here is a you tube video that will show you have to get the switch out, all but the drilling out part. If you do not want to drill out the center of the lock, you can use a hammer and a small punch to drive the lock button into the lock cylinder and pull it out that way, but you may break part of the lock off in the housing, or pull the housing apart. it is best to drill the center out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCmDHABSMcs .
But no the column does not haveto be replaced.