Help replacing ignition key tumbler in 97 Toyota Tacoma?
Posted by RabbitofCaerbannogg@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 10 comments
My key tumbler is worn out in my 97 Tacoma, I ordered a replacement, but now I can't get the old tumbler out! I can't turn it to accessory, so I drilled the little button tab below to release, but it is stuck fast! No amount of wiggling, WD-40, or more drilling seems to work. It's like there is a second catch somewhere holding the part in place. I've watched every video on YouTube I can find, the tumbler should just pull out at this point, but there is obviously something still holding it firmly in place.
It isn't the outside ring, all housing around the part has been removed... I don't know what else to do.
Thanks so much!
RabbitofCaerbannogg@reddit (OP)
Just in case anyone comes across this post with the same question; I tried EVERYTHING. It turns out drilling the locking spring post was by far the best option if you can't turn the key to accessory. Once I did that - (beware it is hard metal, and takes a determined 5-10 min of solid pressure) but once that was out the tumbler mechanism popped right out.
kaimars89@reddit
thank you for this information. someone tried to steal my 98 tacoma and now I can't turn the key in the ignition cylinder .. just to make sure I understand the "locking spring post" is the small little mechainsm we are supoosed to push in after we put the key in "ACC" (when we can put the key in ACC ..is that correct?
sounds like i will need to be patience.. its not a very easy to reach area
glad you got it to work!
RabbitofCaerbannogg@reddit (OP)
No, it sounds like you might be referring to something different. the locking spring post is on the bottom of the mechanism, and is a tiny post. Here's a video - its not the one that I followed but it does clearly show the post that needs to be drilled:
https://youtu.be/DKEwh1WCDqs?si=aY2H1KvoliqL-Sh1
kaimars89@reddit
i got it out with your technique! thank you. I got the new one in and it works exept i can't get it into the lock position. hmm have to check this out a bit more
RabbitofCaerbannogg@reddit (OP)
I found out the difficult way that there are many different lock cylinders, even for the same year and model. It should just click in once the pin is lined up... Good luck!
kaimars89@reddit
thank you!
Fancy_Chip_5620@reddit
Uh if you have the key you shouldn't have drilled ANYTHING
...If you can turn it turn it to the ??? position and just push the pin... Ignition pulls right out as long as the pin is pushed
Alternatively a 1/2 drill bit straight down the center where you put the key making sure not to drill straight through the whole thing Into the ignition switch till you make an open space for the pin to push into works as well
RabbitofCaerbannogg@reddit (OP)
Thanks for your reply! I can't turn the key to the accessory position, I watched more than a half dozen youtube videos that showed if you can't turn to the accessory position then you'll have to drill out the pin - which is what I did. I'll try drilling out the lock next.
Thanks again!
Fancy_Chip_5620@reddit
The pin is hardened steel... The lock body is aluminum or maybe zinc if your not careful you'll just damage your steering column
The pin is also free to rotate as much as it wants do a drill bit likely won't do anything to it
A workaround I've done in the past is drill out the lock and push the pin in like it was designed with no lock for the pin to butt up against nothing stops it from pushing up and yu pulling out the tumbler
RabbitofCaerbannogg@reddit (OP)
Right! Thanks! On advice from someone else I hammered a screw driver into the key slot... now I just have a key slot with a screw driver sticking out... :(
I'll try to drill it out next