Well, after 3 months of working on this thing, today was the big day to try and start her up. The freakin' key won't turn in the ignition switch!

I was given 2 keys... round one that I've been using on the trunk all along and a square one that I assumed was the ignition key. It seems to only go in upside down (with notches facing up) and it will only slide in the cylinder just past the notches, with about 1/3 of the key sticking out. And then it won't turn either way!

Could the tumblers inside the lock be frozen? I sprayed some WD-40 in the hole. What am I doing wrong here?

 

Wiggle it up and down while trying to turn it. If that doesn't work, then it sounds like you either have the wrong key, or the old key/ignition switch are worn out. Don't let it get you down. Order a new switch and a new set of keys to go with the switch. Now, getting the old switch out without the key working will be the problem.

 

Yea, I was just reading that you have to turn the switch to ACC to get the cylinder out. I'm SOL there. I wiggled on it for about a half hour to no avail. Glen, how far in does your key go?

 

It goes in about 1/4 to 3/8 inch past the last cut out for the lock pins. I would use lock lub and keep working the key. Do not force anything just keep working the key in and out. It doesn't help to try to turn the key until you can get it fully inserted.

 

If I read you right, your key doesn't go all the way in. You might have some crap in the mechanism. Try using WD-40 with the red tube inserted in the ignition as far as it will go and see if you can dislodge anything that may be in there. If that key was the original key, it should work if it is inserted all the way.
On Edit: I just now went out and took a pic of mine. The key goes in to just about a tad below the pony on mine.

 

In the mean time, if you want to fire the old gal up, go pick up an external balast resistor from your local autoparts store. wire that with aligator clips between the B+ terminal of the starter solenoid and coil Positive. Use a remote starter switch between B+ of the starter solenoid and the "S" terminal. This will at least let you fire her up. Wouldn't drive it this way though, none of the gauges or turn signals will operate.

Electronics and Marine places have some really good stuff to clean out corrosion. If you can find it the stuff I'm thinking of is in a red spray can and is called "Corrosion-X". It also does a great job of weatherproofing electrical connections.

Good luck. I expect your next post to be a grin from ear to ear!

 

getting out isnt a problem i was in the same boat, i had to get the lock cylinder out but i didnt have a key. i just stuck a screw driver in the cylinder until the little cover plate tore off. then all i had to do was push the release pin and she slid right out

 

graphite is what you need to use on locks to lubricate them. It is a powder.

 

It looks like I'm going in far enough, what do ya'll think? It's coming up up against a hard stop... like it's meant to only go that far.

I remembered I found a spare set of keys wired under the car a while back. Got those out and the keys match, so I'm 99% sure it's the right key.

I may let it soak overnight and try it again. If that doesn't work, I'll be trying dcohen's method.

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Hot wire it at the selonoid. Its a fun thing to learn how to do.