Your Toyota’s lock cylinder is used to start your engine and is connected to the ignition switch. You won’t be able to start your automobile if your lock cylinder breaks. Replace your lock cylinder as soon as you can if this happens. Your lock cylinder is located inside the steering column.
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Step 1
Your Toyota’s hood should be opened. find the battery To remove the bolt fastened to the negative battery terminal, use a wrench. Negative cable should be disconnected from the terminal.
Step 2
Obtain the wheel and get in. The steering wheel’s cover should be removed. With your hands, detach it from the connectors that are located around the steering wheel’s edge. If you are having difficulties removing them, pull it free from its connectors with a flat-head screwdriver.
Step 3
Find the wiring for the horn and airbag, if your Toyota model has either. Until you find their connectors inside the steering wheel, follow the wiring. Lift the horn and air bag out of the steering wheel after removing the connectors from it. The screws holding the steering column sleeve together should be removed using a Phillips-head screwdriver. To remove the sleeve from the column, slide it.
Step 4
the ignition switch location. The mounting bolts that are fastened to the switch can be removed using a tool. Your key should be in the ignition. Turn the key until it is locked. You will then be able to see the retaining pin. With your hands or a screwdriver, release the retaining pin so you can pull the ignition switch and lock cylinder off the steering column.
Unclip the tab to detach the ignition switch from the lock cylinder. Use the locking tabs to secure a new lock cylinder in position on the ignition switch. By reversing the processes used for removal, you may reattach the ignition component to the steering column and assemble the steering wheel.
- John Haynes’ 1998 film, “Toyota Pickups and 4-Runner, 1979-1995,”
- Deanna Schlar’s 2008 book “Auto Repair for Dummies”
- the Phillips screwdriver
- Wrench
- substitute lock cylinder
Without a key, how do you take out a Toyota ignition lock cylinder?
Your car’s ignition lock cylinder is an essential part. Despite how crucial it is, most car owners don’t give it enough thought. They neglect it until eventually it breaks down, at which point you are unable to operate it correctly or start your car. You might then need to replace it.
Removing it is a reasonably easy job if you have the key. The procedure necessitates some more steps without it.
Tools You’ll Need To Change An Ignition Key Lock Without A Key
You must ensure that you have the necessary tools in order to correctly remove an ignition lock cylinder without a key:
- energy drill
- drilling bit
- philips screwdriver
Step OneBattery Disconnection
Disconnecting the battery is the first step in removing or replacing an ignition lock cylinder without a key. This is a preventative measure to ensure that nothing in your automobile shorts out or that you receive an electric shock.
Step TwoSteering Wheel Removal
The next step is to remove the steering wheel from your car so you can fully access the lock cylinder. After removing the steering wheel’s upper and lower covers with all of the screws attached, push the wheel upward and pull at the central cover. The car horn’s wires are now free to be disconnected.
Pull the steering wheel entirely out of its shaft after ensuring that the nuts and washers are stored in a secure location.
Step FiveElectrics to Ignition Switch disconnection
In order to remove the ignition switch, locate and detach the mounting screws for it.
Make sure to carefully unplug each wire from its corresponding connector on the ignition switch’s bottom. To remove the switch, loosen the tabs.
Step SixMounting Bolts Removal
To remove the mounting bolts or screws from the ignition switch, use a socket wrench or screwdriver. The housing and switch assembly that houses the lock cylinder must be completely unbolted.
The majority of car models come with universal, replaceable lock cylinders. These may be removed rather quickly by inserting a pin into the release mechanism.
Step SevenCheck the Ignition Switch Housing Mounting Bolts
Depending on the manufacturer, some car models include snap-off safety bolt heads that are simple to remove. This part’s purpose is to stop burglars from breaking into your automobile and changing the ignition lock so they can start it without a key. For the ignition switch to be removed from the steering wheel column, you might need to utilize a power drill with extractors that are designed to loosen nuts.
Step EightKey Cylinder Locking
Take a paperclip that has been straightened and place it in the ignition lock cylinder’s slot before rotating it counterclockwise. As a result, the cylinder is locked and the ignition cannot turn on.
Step NineScrewdriver
Utilizing your screwdriver, access the ignition lock cylinder. As much as you can, rotate it in a clockwise motion. Then, yank the paperclip as far to the right as you can. The switch should then be simple to slide out after that.
This is truly all there is to it. If you have an older car and have never worked on the ignition lock cylinder before, it might not be the easiest thing to do. This is due to the fact that the cylinder will have a lot of accumulated dust and debris.
Step 10Replacing the Ignition Lock Cylinder
Whether or not an ignition lock cylinder without a key has to be cleaned and replaced will all rely on the various parts and how they are doing. If everything appears to be in order and to be functioning properly following a thorough cleaning and oiling, you can use the same keys to rebuild it. It might be necessary to purchase a new ignition switch, though.
You should keep in mind that it may be a good idea to contact with a manufacturer dealership for advice on how to get replacement keys unless you are certain that any generic ignition switch lock cylinder (or the individual components you need to replace) will work in your automobile. To ensure that you receive the correct item, be sure to include the exact model, year, and manufacturer of your car along with the VIN number.
When the key won’t turn, how do you remove the ignition lock cylinder?
Before calling a locksmith, try the following steps if your car’s ignition lock cylinder won’t turn.
- Request a new mechanical key from the closest dealership with your vehicle registration and a photo ID (a key with no transponder chip). Try using the new key to spin the ignition lock cylinder next. Frequently, worn-out keys rather than a broken ignition lock cylinder are to blame when the ignition lock won’t spin.
- Try spraying WD40 into the ignition lock cylinder and jiggling the ignition with the newly produced key if the ignition lock cylinder won’t turn with the new key.
- Try pushing the ignition lock cylinder if the new mechanical key alone wasn’t enough to make the ignition turn. Spray WD40 into the ignition lock cylinder, insert a new mechanical key partially, and then bump the remaining portion of the key into the ignition lock cylinder using the handle of a hefty screwdriver to bump the ignition lock (rubber handle works best). One or two misaligned wafers lodged inside the cylinder often result in a jammed ignition lock cylinder that prevents the lock from spinning. The stuck wafers will probably be released by giving the ignition lock cylinder a few bumps, allowing the ignition lock to turn once more.
If you were able to turn on the ignition lock, don’t turn it off again since you might not be able to turn it on again if it becomes stuck again. Once the ignition lock is in the “on” position, the majority of vehicle ignition lock cylinders are simple to remove and replace. At this point, if you consider yourself a handy person, we advise you to view a few YouTube videos on how to replace the ignition on your year and type of vehicle. If not, you should contact a reputable locksmith to have your ignition lock fixed or replaced.
There are various things you can take to prevent becoming locked out of your automobile, however many of them necessitate planning.
- Make a copy of a mechanical key (a key without a transponder chip) and conceal it somewhere outside the car (for example you can remove the back license plate and use duct tape to tape a mechanical key to the back of the plate and install it back on).
- Give a neighbor or acquaintance a spare key. Typically, it will be less expensive to have the spare key delivered to you or picked up by you than it will be to call a locksmith to come out to your location.
- It is worth a shot if you have On Star service because they can frequently unlock your car remotely. Just give them a ring, and they’ll help you unlock the automobile.
- These days, a lot of aftermarket alarm systems (like Viper and Directed) come with a phone app that you can download to your phone and use to lock and unlock your vehicle.
We advise calling a local locksmith to unlock your automobile if you ever find yourself locked out. Your door’s paint and rubber seal could suffer severe damage if you try to unlock the automobile on your own.
Important vehicle key information can assist you understand how to replace them in the event that they are lost or stolen.
The vast majority of automobile keys can be created on site by a locksmith, although not all of them can (certain keys can only be made by a dealer due to dealer regulations).
Please read some of our other articles after reading this one as well.
How can a car be started by disabling the ignition switch?
So, here’s how you start the automobile without using the ignition switch if you’re having trouble starting it and you know you have a bad ignition switch. All you need are the necessary tools, and with a few steps, you can simply start your car.
Hotwiring
This approach might be effective for you if your car was built before the mid-1990s. Find the steering wheel column when you get in the automobile. After that, take off the plastic cover that protects the interior components. That ought to reveal all required components.
then find the connector for the wiring harness. Because there are so many connections and wires in this location, it could be challenging to find the precise connector. However, it is typically found near the middle of the steering column. The additional cables, connectors, and wires are connected to the wipers, lights, and other accessories.
The battery, ignition, and starting connectors must then be located. The ignition is related to the yellow and brown wires. The battery is for the red ones. The battery cables should be stripped an inch below the insulation, then twisted.
The lights will turn on and the electrical components will start operating when you connect the ignition on/off wire to the battery wire. To start the motor, trim the starter wire to a half-inch length and connect it to the battery cables that are already attached. The engine must now start. Therefore, try giving the engine a few more turns.
The drill and screwdriver
This approach might possibly be effective, but use caution because it could seriously harm the ignition switch. Additionally, it will teach you how to start a car with a damaged ignition switch.
As a result, you must find the keyhole, grab a metal drill, and drill into it at the same length as the key. The ignition cylinder’s internal pins will be destroyed as a result. The automobile should start once you insert the screwdriver, which serves as the key, into the keyhole.
Jumper cables
The ignition coil and battery can be found by opening the hood of your car. The positive terminal of the battery should then be connected to the positive side of the coil using a jumper cable. The dashboard will receive power as a result, which is necessary for the engine to start.
The starter solenoid should then be located and connected to the positive battery terminal. Then unplug the solenoid’s cabling from the ignition switch. Shorten the positive solenoid terminal with a screwdriver to the post where the ignition switch is connected.
How do you test an ignition switch?
We are aware that a malfunctioning ignition switch might lead to several mistakes. We already know how to start without and get around an ignition switch. It is now necessary to determine whether or not my ignition switch is in good working order.
We will diagnose ignition switch failures in this section and learn how to test the ignition switch using a multimeter or a test light.
As previously mentioned, the ignition switch’s primary job is to power the ECU and the ignition coil. The device thus has two wires originating from it. One wire connects to the ignition coil module, and the other to the ECU. We must first remove the switch from its slot.
Using multimeter:
To begin testing, you should flip the switch to the OFF position. Connect the multimeter’s positive probe to the power feed wire of the switch, and the negative probe to any unpainted metal in the vehicle.
Now set the multimeter to measure voltage and turn the key to the RUN position. Examine the voltage. You may have a problem with the ignition switch if any of your results show less than 90% battery voltage.
Using test light:
Don’t worry if you don’t have access to a multimeter. You can still use a 12 V test light to check your ignition switch. Disconnect the cable connector for the module and then turn the key to the OFF position. Then, unplug the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid, which will stop the engine from starting even when the ignition is turned to the RUN position.
Activate the RUN position on the key. To the test voltage, attach the red wire. Then repeat the process at the battery post for the ignition coil. The ignition switch white wire should then be connected after turning the key to the start position.
The lamp should turn on as a result. If there is no light, the switch is broken.
How to fix a bad ignition switch?
We’ll go over the ignition switch issues for cars in this section. We will discover more about issues with ignition lock cylinders and how to solve them. In addition, we’ll discover ways to prevent it from happening again.
The steering wheel safety lockout is one of the well-known issues with ignition switches. When the key is turned to the OFF position, it prevents the steering from turning. When you try to turn the steering wheel while your engine is off, power steering mechanical pumps in cars lose pressure and drive steering to lockup pin.
Turn both the ignition key and the steering wheel simultaneously to unlock the steering wheel lock.
The key may become trapped and immobile if dirt and debris manage to enter the ignition switch. The lock becomes stuck in this situation and is unable to release the steering wheel. In this situation, using a rust removal product and applying it with a pressure nozzle via the keyhole is the first thing to try.
If the issue is still not resolved, try a different approach that involves tapping the key repeatedly with a light hammer. But you must exercise restraint. Keep the key from breaking in the switch.
Therefore, if after all these attempts nothing was fixed, the ignition lock cylinder needs to be changed. This occurs as a result of the switch’s internal components deteriorating over time.