lock cylinder problem '78 blazer

[jakedaniel]

bought the blazer a couple of weeks ago and love it so far. last week when I went to shut the truck off the ignition switch pulled out of the column along with the key. no problem, I just put it back in. did that a couple of times but tonight the switch came out in my hands and the steering wheel locked. I can put the switch in but it just turns loose. The steering wheel is locked although if I force it I can get it to move the shifter on the column is stuck. I have no idea what to do do I need to buy a new column, can I just buy a new cylinder what do you think?

 

[lectric80]

The cylinder connects to a rack setup that moves the lock rod as well as another rod that connects to the actual ignition switch. If you look down the opening you should see a gear that rotates in the slide, it most likely has pushed out, so you will have to pull the column apart to put the gear back in, then put the lock cylinder back in and secure it with the screw that is obviously missing from yours.

As a temporary to get the wheel unlocked, you should be able to move the rack towards the base of the steering column, this will pull the lock pin out of the steering wheel.

 

[jakedaniel]

I can get the wheel to move. It's hard because it hits against that pin but it will move. Shifter is still locked though and the lock cyl just turns loose in the column. I didn't see a gear or anything in there, is there a chance it could have come out with the cylinder and just be laying on the floorboard when I get back to the truck after work today? How hard will this be to do, (taking the column apart)? Do I just borrow a steering wheel puller from autozone and go to it?

 

[lectric80]

Yeah just get the wheel puller and you should be good to go. Take your time while tearing it down and you will see how it all comes apart. They are pretty easy, but it can be a bit nerve racking the first time.

I don't believe that the gear can pull through the opening for the lock cylinder, I don't think there is enough clearance to do it. However, it is possible that it has fallen down into the column, and you may have to fish it out. It has been a while since I have been into one, but if you run into any issues post up and someone here will be able to help you with anything you run into. Worst case scenario you have to change the column, but I don't think that will be required.

 

[jakedaniel]

I've got the wheel puller and when I get off work I'm going out there to try to get it home. The worst thing is this happened at the bar around 10 last night. No flashlights and some drunk guy yanking on my steering wheel till he got it to turn although it still clicks and tries to lock. I told him that wasn't going to help me any since I still couldn't put the truck in gear, best to just leave it and come back when there's some daylight. I'm looking online about doing this since my Haynes manual hasn't arrived in the mail yet and they keep saying that there's another tool I'm going to need besides the wheel puller I think it's called a lock plate puller. Am I going to need one of these as well or is there a way around it? Once I get the whole column apart, even if it's messed up in there, I should be able to get it unlocked and started, right? That way I can drive it till next week when I get paid and I can buy a new column. I hope so

(Update) just got off the phone with autozone and they have a lock plate tool for me so I don't have to worry about that.

 

[jakedaniel]

Fixed it in the parking lot. Thanks for the help. Horn isn't working now but I was going to replace it anyway. Glad I had a place to go for good information!

 

[lectric80]

So was it what I guessed it would be?

 

[jakedaniel]

What it was, the lock cyl was broken and just pulled out. When it did that the little piece that connects from the end of the switch to the gear came off with it and fell in the floorboard of my truck. Everything had to come off so I could put the gear back in the right position and put the little flathead shaped tip of that piece in the middle of the gear without pushing the gear out of place. With that done, put the lock cyl in, put the column back together, started it up, drove it around the parking lot, parked it, walked inside and ordered a pitcher of Shiner. Job complete! Drove to work in it this morning!