[chevelle_502]

I know this is not an engine question but i trust the knowledge of the guys on here. Have a 1987 chevrolet suburban 4wd. the ignition is locked up and rocking the steering wheel does not work. Any info would be helpful

[killerformula]

I don't mean to sound like a *****... but i saw this happen before. Dude worked on it for a half hour.

He was using the wrong key.

I would suggest jacking the car up on the frame and taking the weight off of the wheels, then try rocking the steering-

K

oh btw, make sure the shifter is firmly in park too, and try jiggling that while you turn the wheel. Lastly, there should be a rod connecting your steering column and the transmission. If all else fails, disconnect the fker, push the rod down on the column and go.

K

[chevelle_502]

when you mean push the rod down, you mean the rod that im gonna disconnect from the trans. Thanks man

[killerformula]

pretty much. It will be obvious when you see it, it runs from the steering column down to the trans linkage, its pretty obvious, and it has a collar that it slides along on the column. Once its disconnected from the linkage down below (one bolt, two seconds to do this) it moves freely.

Don't ask how I know this...

K

[87442lover]

Aaaa.. If you have the right key and the ignition lock is froze, then why dont you just replace the lock cylinder? Takes no longer than 30 mins.

You'll need a puller and spring compressor.

[blndweasel]

Considering this is a GM vehicle, I'm assuming you have a column mounted ignition switch.

Years ago in a corvette I had the same problem, actually I could turn the key but no matter what, it wouldn't reach the start position. The problem was a loose set of screws on the ignition switch, and the lock rod that reached from the ignition lock cylinder wouldn't reach far enough to put the switch in the "start" position.

Hopefully your suburban has more room to work in than my vette did. It took me something like three hours to get the column out and the switch repaired, cause all I had was a damn crescent wrench and a flat head screwdriver.

anyways, good luck man

tbw

[LanceM]

Just had this happen to my wife's car, the key was worn enough that it wouldn't work anymore, did in the morning wouldn't in the afternoon. Luckly my set of keys were still like new and worked fine and was able to get good copies made. Try a spare key if you have one before tearing into it!

[Mightymouse]

heyyy man thats pretty funny cuz that just happend to me about 4 hrs agao i JUST got done fixing it i couldent get my car to shut off or turn back on i had to dissconect the battery but i had to tear the whole stering column apart and replace the thang that the key goes into it wuz jammed up some how but it was fairley easy to fix it was on my 85 monte carlo

well good luck with ur problem!