I have a problem and need help quick. Last night I went for a spin to go get some things from the store. In the parking lot when I was leaving I went to start it.

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The ignition cylinder seized and the key snapped off at the hilt. The key is stuck in the seized cylinder and the assembly won't turn. The steering wheel is locked turned to the right pretty hard from parking.

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I have a buddy with a trailer that we want to load it on but with the wheels turned it won't ever roll up there right. I have to get it moved by this morning or the store is going to have it towed at my expense and the owner said that usually costs the people over a hundred.

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Is there a way to pull the ignition cylinder out so I can unlock the steering wheel or just a way to disable the steering wheel lock?

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Thanks, and please hurry.

 

Try renting a tow dolly from budget trucks. You can probably position the dolly so that you can drive right up. I don't know if this link will work

www.towtrailer.com/images/diagram.jpg

 

Think I'd just call a tow truck myself, if you know one that would do it cheap and if it's not to far from your house. or a locksmith to get the key part out, if you have another ket to use.

 

The ones that I spoke with all say they will have to dolly front wheels and lift from the back, and then the charges go up around or higher than $100.

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The locksmith I called said the cylinder has to come out of the key broke off wedged in like I described. I would almost rather do that myself if I can figure out how to get the cylinder out.

 

Could you get it loaded on the trailer using the tire dolleys that have the caster wheels?

And what is up the store owners arss? His attitude would have really hung it on me.

 

Since steering was pulled hard and locked, that is probably why cylinder didn't turn when key was in. Since the key is in the cylinder, try pulling the steering wheel in either direction to take the tension off the locking mechanism for the column. Once you pull the wheel to relieve the tension, the cylinder should turn to on/start position. My Camry does this every now and then and it just takes taking the tension off the key cylinder......................If that doesn't work remove steering wheel and get at it that way.........................B

 

Ignition locks don't sieze up.

 

Yeah, thats happened to me on more then one occasion, you need to turn the wheel some, you have it bound up, need to try the key (even tho its broken) while the wheel is being turned . Good luck,,,Peace, Moosie

 

Send me your address...I'll be more than happy to send you the one I replaced last week. Not a vette, still a gm. I'll even send the key along with it!!!


On to the real problem, in order to get the old switch out, you need to remove the steering wheel, the turn signal, the steering lock plate and then the switch. The switch should have a retainer screw (bolt, something), when you undo that retainer, the lock/switch should slide out......email me if you need to

 

I knew as soon as I hit "submit reply" that someone would post that they've had one seize up.

Still, chances are it didn't.

 

It is always helpful to let us know what type steering column (standard non-adjustable or T&T) that is in your 1977 Vette. Although the columns are similar, there are just enough differences to require different sets of instructions. I am going to guess that you have a T&T column because by 1977 most Vettes came with T&T columns.

Before working on the steering column, it is always best to disconnect the battery.

I have a paper that describes some simple tools that you can cobble to remove the broken key. Here is the address:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...actionTool.pdf

You can remove the lock cylinder from your steering column with the broken key bit still in the lock cylinder. However, you should try and turn your lock cylinder to the RUN position when extracting it from the column housing. With the key in the cylinder (or the broken key) there is a small plastic tab that sticks out and engages the key warning buzzer switch when you have the lock cylinder in any position but RUN. (When in the RUN position, the tab retracts back into the lock cylinder.) That small tab (if sticking out) can damage the key buzzer switch. So you want to either remove the broken key or make sure you turn the cylinder to RUN before pulling the lock cylinder.

The following paper and pictures describe how to remove the lock cylinder from a T&T steering column.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...dr1-22au07.doc

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ge1-12FE06.doc

Lastly, you will find that when you remove the steering wheel and hub there is a plastic retainer on top of the toothed steering column lock plate. If that retainer is original to your steering column you will most likely find that it will crumble into pieces. Without the retainer in place, the large spring that is part of the cancelling cam will contact metal parts of the column and your horn will blow continuously. The part is called a retainer and is available through GM dealers as well as various Vette suppliers. Be prepared to purchase this part.
GM Part #7808385 Retainer
Zip Products - Part #SC-517 69-82 Cancelling Cam Plastic Retainer

Good luck,
Jim