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Hello people! I`m not new to the forum and I`m not sure how I got listed as a new member.... I have been away from my car for a few months but I`ll be back working on it soon. Whats the easiest way to get get the steering wheel unlocked? thank you in advanced for your help. Clevan B.
Whats the easiest way to get get the steering wheel unlocked?
(I don't know if all C3s use the same components as my '72 so maybe this doesn't apply.) Disconnect the lock-out cable coming up from the transmission from the bracket on the firewall where the steering column enters the engine compartment.
A good old school lock smith could have a new key for you in about 20 minutes. What the lock smith does is insert the correct style of key into the ignition cylinder and turns it back and forth to make marks on the key so he can see where to cut it. Takes a couple of tries. Have him make a couple extra.
My 68 didn’t have an ignition key when I bought it. I removed the passenger side door lock and a locksmith was able to cut a new key based on the code on the door lock cylinder.
And you only had one key???
A new barrel is fairly inexpensive.
Amazing how quickly a thief can get your steering unlocked and car started, but I would take it apart correctly and replace with a new barrel, (generally less than the cost of a locksmith if you can disassemble the column yourself).
And get some spare keys!!
And you only had one key???
A new barrel is fairly inexpensive.
Amazing how quickly a thief can get your steering unlocked and car started, but I would take it apart correctly and replace with a new barrel, (generally less than the cost of a locksmith if you can disassemble the column yourself). And get some spare keys!!
Amen Brother! That would be the first thing I would do when buying a C3. Keep a spare at home and another in your wallet!
Sorry for not getting back to you all earlier. My car is a 1979 with telescopic steering colum. I had contacted a locksmith in the past and he quoted me an outrageous price. ...like over $1,000. Im still laughing but I still need to unlock the steering.
Sorry you are still stuck....Here is a picture of the part of the steering lockout, not sure your's is exactly like this or not. The arrow is pointing to a cotter pin on a small shaft. Remove that pin, and then push the lever that the pin is holding 'up'. That might release your steering. If it is still locked then you'll have to take some of the column apart.
You should investigate what other locks the Ignition Key fits, ie. On my 73 the ignition key unlocks the doors, but Chevy changed that on latter years. Look in your Owners Manual to see what locks can be unlocked by the ignition key, if your lucky maybe the glove box, alarm switch, or the spare tire lock matches the ignition lock. Then you could remove the lock and take it to a real Locksmith. I took my alarm switch to a real Locksmith and they charged around $ 15, since it took the guy like three minutes.
I called AAA today and they send a locksmith to my house. it only cost me $100.00 and AAA picked up the rest of the $300.00 tab.The guy pulled the steering wheel, horn assembly, hub and had a new switch in my colum in 15 min.Why I didn`t think of AAA before is beyound me! Thank you all for the help
I lost my ignition key
