Rekcah (or anyone that has done this mod)

Is there a way to tell if this mod has been accomplished on a car without pulling it all apart? I bought mine used almost a year ago with 85K on the clock and haven't had any sticking problems, but I don't want to get stranded somewhere either. I also don't want to spend a couple of hours pulling stuff apart only to find I didn't have to.

Thanks in advance!!

RL

 

To say I have not done this mod yet, but if it has already been done isn't it enlightening to pull everything apart to see whats in there? I know I will do this sometime, I have not had a lick of change to the key turning in 3 1/2 years of owning it (knock on wood) BUT if I need to do it I am ready willing and (body-wise) partly capable of getting the job done. If it is bothering you the answer is pretty simple. Cordon off a time slot and get everything ready to just do it. You'll have your answer and get to see what is inside your lower dash. Who knows, maybe your car (from previous ownership) has a wad of money (or other valuables) hidden/stuffed in the cavities. If so, I want to claim some if you use my post to get the initiative to delve into your dash and check/fix the key assembly.

 

There is NO way to know. You have got to get in there and see if the spring and latch are there.

If you think tearing it apart for no reason is bad, remember, if you WAIT and it freezes up, you will be tearing it apart AND DRILLING THE PIN OUT!
This will not make for a good day.

 

Good point - I guess I'll carve out some time to dig into it.
Thanks for the responses.

RL

 

Anyone have a picture of that pin you have to Dremel/drill out? I really don't want to drill the wrong thing.

 

See the first link in post 1 in this thread, go to step 16 and look at the picture.

It is specifically called out in that picture and step. Even if your key is stuck, does not mean you'll be drilling that pin out - just SOMETIMES it'll be stuck.

 

just did this mod . great write up. a little trick i learned,you can pull the main electrical plug off the back of the ignition switch assy. after the assy is removed. there is plenty of slack in the wiring harness. with the ign. assy still mounted theres not much room too get the harness plug off the back of the switch. cmz

 

I literally just finished doing mine. Key was stuck had to drill/dremel pin out. FIRST IF USING DREMEL GET A TUNGSTEN BIT. I went though 2 grinding wheels and tried a drill. Once I got a tungsten bit it took me 10 minutes, as opposed to 2 hours of ^%$%%$# around. After that just follow the instructions it's very straightforward. FYI The PIN that drops out isn't just a pin shape. It's a pin with a base that comes out. The spring in mine just fell out so didn't lose an eye. Seriously DO THIS BEFORE YOUR IGNITION LOCKS AND SAVE AGGREVATION. One other thing, there is a trim bit held in place on the steering coloum with a couple springs. Mine fell off while grinding. Any idea how to hook them back up? I will probably just tape them in place. I think they are for the telescoping steering wheel. Unless you 4 feet tall I assume you leave it all the way in.

 

guys, I need your help.

I pulled everything yersterday and it got dark so I completed my work on the ignition itself inside. All works up to this point and I'm excited.
I started reassembling my car together and came to the parking interlock connector and can't located it anywhere by the steering column or any other wire. HELP!!!!

 

Parking interlock connector? I'm unsure of what that is - and I've done two of these.

 

Step 12 in the PDF

 

Do you remember taking it off? I could be wrong but that might be a manual/automatic difference. (Think auto has it, manual does not) I don't remember having to mess with it when I did mine but it has been a while.

 

You know what? I think you are right... I don't recall it... Okay the car is back together minue three screws, the back too towards the paddles, they aren't attaching to the other pannel for some reason, and the one screw near the right knee, it's hard to get that one in too....

Any suggestions?

 

The two screws at the back go into clip nuts that can rotate away from the true center position. The one by the right knee is quite a way in and the angle you attempt to line it up at is important.

 

If you use an ice pick first to locate the hole in the clip nut for all 3, it's much easier.
The one by the right knee is at an angle, the ice pick will show you that.
I used the pick to center everything up ( by wiggling the pick around once it was in the hole - NO COMMENTS PLEASE ) before starting the screw.

 

two small springs fell out right near the steering wheel adjustment and i cant figure out where they go

 

You sure it wasn't the clip and spring that you went in there to remove in the first place?

 

there are little panels on the sides of the steer column that are spring loaded for when you telescope the wheel out.

dont have the words to really explain but hope that makes sense. if not I"ll go take a picture or something for you.

 

Yea in my frustration I pulled that whole sliding door thing thing right out. (The springs attach to the top/bottom of it) If your wheel is all the way in you won't notice but if you telescope it out you will see the innards of the column without the little springy door to cover the gap.

 

If I new what a headache I have with this sticky ignition key problem I will never buy this car is the second time I have to change the cylinder ignition lock on my 2004 Crossfire . I have 60000 miles on my car ... My car is in a shop now i had to go to the dealer and order the part I have to wait 3-5 days ( is a special order by your VIN NR. ) and was $ 310.00 included tax then I have to take it to the shop where my car ............ and so on . And this is not all i have other problems ....