Thread: Key stuck in ignition lock cylinder

Originally Posted by dpzelenak

ive been haveing this proplem for a year now, wanting to fix it, ive been reading and reading and dont know how so to take the solenoid out, ive takin some pics, im guessing its this white piece,,ive twisted and pulled and cant get it out..is there some trick to this

It was stated on the first page of this thread

Originally Posted by Abrasive

Part looks like this...


How to fix it:

If you take the bottom cover off of the steering column you can get to it rather easy and remove the solenoid.

1) tilt wheel all the way up and remove tilt wheel lever.... just pull, it comes out rather easy

2) take out screws in bottom steering column cover.... torx bit

3) pull off cover. you will have to tilt it a little to clear the rear clips.

4) remove screw(s) holding in solenoid.... very small nut driver or pliers will do the trick.

5) unplug wires to solenoid and discard solenoid into nearest trash can and save money for beer after job is complete

6) reverse order to reassemble column

7) use money saved from step 5 and go have a few beers

However I found that I didn't have the tool to unmount it, so I shot a bit of oil in the solenoid that slides up and down, and it seems to have done the job at the moment. There's really no way to wrap tape around it and tape it down, so if this doesn't work I'll just break the thing off and pull it out that way.

Anyone know if cutting the wires off it would do the trick, or do I need to dismantle it?

In the second pic, to the left of the gold plunger is a reverse torx screw. Harbor Freight may have sockets that fit. I used an ignition wrench and needle nose pliers but it would have been much easier with a socket.

That screw also hold the black box on.

I suppose you could gently cut the white tab off and leave the screw alone. You will want a similar size washer to replace the white tab but not absolutely needed, it is just that the screw doesn't tighten down all the way, or doesn't seem to without it.

That is the only fastener that holds the white piece. Wiggle the white assy kinda to the front and up and it comes out. Actually, push the plunger first or even hold the plunger in as it may make removal easier.

If you want to take the upper steering plastic off you will want a very small socket and there are two or three of those reverse torx screws you access from the bottom.

To get the plastic off my 2002, I had to remove the tilt knob. With two hands I pulled straight toward the window side and the knob came out. It is all plastic and is pushed into a black plastic piece. Was easy once I did it. Pondered that one for a while before tugging on it because didn't want to break it.