I was able to get the key cylinder on my 2001 Chevy Suburban to release when it would no longer turn so that it could be removed. This should work for anyone with the same problem.
Removal tip. Great video! - I just wanted to add a small tip for anyone having problems getting the cylinder to turn. I had lost my keys and apparently the ignition key cylinder was replaced sometime before I bought the vehicle. I took my VIN to a Chevy dealership and they made me new keys that worked on the door locks but not did not work the ignition. They figured the ignition had been changed out as the key should have worked for both. I was having some real difficulty getting the allen wrench into the slot that the video mentioned. I too tried a number of sizes and many other items to try and compress the bar that would allow the cylinder to turn. After numerous attempts over a few days time and trying to find other videos addressing this issue, I went back to this video and tried again. Since I did not have the correct key (lost) I inserted one of the keys that worked the door locks and struggled to get the allen wrench into the slot. I suspected that the little lip on the bar you need to compress was sticking up just enough to block the allen wrench from getting back far enough. After jiggling the key in the ignition and slightly turning the key back and forth minimally (as it is locked), the allen wrench went all the way in. The cylinder still would not turn. I then rotated the allen wrench slightly and the little ridge on the allen wrench was just enough to compress the bar and get the cylinder to turn. I spent a number of hours trying to get it out and finally was able to replace the cylinder. Thanks so much for the video.
EVERYONE forget all the other videos if you Chevy ignition tumbler is locked. This is by far the best video and I have spent hours watching dozens of videos!! I am grateful you took the time to share with us Andru. Thanks!!
This absilutely worked! I did it on my 2001 GMC Silverado HD. To get it down to just the key hole and that little hole where you put the alen wrench in you gotta break the plastic shroud and a little metal ring off around the key hole. This absolutely works! Thank you for posting this video!
After being stuck for 2 days on a 2001 Silverado, I couldn't change the ignition lock without being able to turn the key, I found this video. It took me a few minutes to commit to breaking the plastic off. That was a leap! Anyway, Thanks! I was able to get the allen in there and turn the key. Then I was able to successfully put a new one in and fix my brothers truck. Thank you so much!
Had the ignition switch stuck in a work truck. This is the only thing on the internet that tells you this is how you fix it, even with it being 20+ years since the trucks were made. Amazing video, thanks for the help
YOU THE MAN! I have done so many pre 95 GM steering columns i can and have done them blind folded...A guy gave me a 95 suburban...'died while driving"...i borrow a friend, his truck and trailer, drove 30 miles to get it...get there and dude can't find the keys. Looked for an hour...locksmith? sunday in parker az..? pulled the covers off...GM seems to have tried to make it a bit harder to steal...needed to get back on the road....10 min with a chisel and 3lb sluggo and i had the wheel 'unlocked"...Got a used column...even the right color....for $30...they wanted a hun for one with a key...Out of a dozen vids you are the only guy who figured out the trick for no key...THANK YOU!
Thanks for the tip! Somebody tried to steal my Chevy van with a screwdriver and messed up the lock I used a small flat blade screwdriver in place of the Allen key and it worked perfectly. Now to remove the cylinder. That's proving much harder.
Hey dude. Thank you sooooooooo much for posting this. Mine was a bit more difficult then yours but none the less it worked. I had to really play around with it before it finally came free but it worked. Thank you. For those that don’t know there’s a rectangular plate that sits in that whole and when the key goes in it is SUPPOSED to be able to push it in with a wire or object to turn the ignition. I had to put the truck in drive and turn the key all the way to that start position to get it to release. Thanks again bro. Life saver
Thank you!!! I saw the drop bar slot and wondered about it. Same exact thing happened to me with the rubber mallet. Your a life saver. Now I can get to work!
Last night, in the process of trying to steal my 02 GMC Sierra, they broke the front spring that pushes that lock bar back when the key is inserted. Needless to say, I was in bad shape. Couldn't turn the ignition in order to pull it out and replace it. I'd seen the videos you mentioned (mallet and the air chisel), and even tried a few other things to no avail. Your video saved the day. Fantastic job! Thanks!!
Thank you very much! for over a week I was trying different methods to get the cylinder to turn with no avail... This worked for a 2002 Chevy Suburban. I appreciate very much you having uploading this video.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! I work far from home this happened to me in the middle of nowhere and because of this info I got it to star! Great information 👍
I just helped a friend with this lock cylinder problem, after getting switch to turn, removinging cylinder was not possible untill i turned the switch to crank position to get it to releasewhile depressing the spring loaded tab threw access hole at end of cylinder assembly,, thanks for great vidio, was big help
😀 you sir are a genius after messing with my same ignition lock on a 98 Cheyenne I did what you said and it worked finally got the stupid pop up bracket to go back down so the cylinder would rotate thank you for posting
Adding myself to the rest of those who found this to be a successful method. 5/64" was the size that worked for me. My experience also included considerable wiggling and the appearance of some crumbs of an indeterminate origin.
You saved us tonight!!!! Thank you so much we did the same until we found this video you are an Angel thanks for your help do you have a Venmo we want to bless you
THANX !!!!! i was in same situation trying everything for hours or wrestling with it i came across your video and a couple minutes i got it off !!! Keep making videos ver y helpful
I really appreciate u some dip shit was gonna charge me 175 to change it out because I could not get it to turn to take it off after watching your video I paid 35 bucks and did it my self in 3 mins flat god speed my friend god speed
just an FYI to anyone who's about to try this I just did this with a 5/64 allen key, so that size will work... it's a little tight but I got the truck started
Today I bought a 1999 suburban w/160k on the clock. I drove straight to the gas station, I had only driven 4 miles at this time. The guy told me the key was sticky and he started it for me, I’ve had other suburbans with slightly sticky ignition so this was no big deal. I was at the gas station for an hour trying to start it, the seller even came over and tried himself and couldn’t do it. It’s possible that this thing gave up the ghost today, but I have a suspicion it’s been a pain in his ass too. After a long day of waiting for a tow truck, getting it towed home and struggling to do so because the wheel was locked in the turned position. Needless to say, my wife was not happy so I went straight to the parts store in our other car and bought a new ignition lock cylinder and order to change it ASAP. Every video I watched said that it had to be in the start position which drove me nuts because I could not get mine there. Your video saved the day, thank you sir! 👏🏻🧐I owe you one!🍻
Worked on my 2003 Hummer H2. THANK YOU!!! Had to work the (5/64) wrench into the slot, and jiggle with the key and allen wrench a bit, but it did work and I got the rig home. Never go to PEPBOYS!
I won't say how long it's been since I've been to PepBoys, but not since I was a little kid going with my dad - we don't have them where I've spent most of my life :) --- Glad it worked for you.
Jesus Gamboa hey bro how did you do it ? did you have to wiggle it or what ? I was able to put a Allen wrench and what size he said 3/64? I can't find that one lol
Jesus - I've drilled cylinders out before, it doesn't always go well. Glad it helped. Sub Zero - I think this only works if you don't have other issues in the key itself causing it to bind up - did that end up being your problem? I'm not 100% sure on the allen wrench size, just try to get the drop bar to push up, but hopefully you got it to work by now.
Just saw your comment. You've probably figured your problem out by now, but if for some reason you haven't post back a reply. On this Suburban (& other GM trucks) and at least up through 2004 this is purely mechanical, so a blown fuse wouldn't cause the key not to turn. On newer GM trucks I'm not sure. Look first for the most common problem for a key cylinder not turning - a locked steering wheel that's putting pressure on & binding up the cylinder. Crank the steering wheel hard if you need to to make sure there' s no pressure. If the key still won't turn then look for other issues.
I had to work it a little bit to get the bar to push up, but not too much effort was required, no tapping, but if the bar is too far down to work the allen wrench under it you may need to push something sharp/pointed under it first to get it to move. Also, the key has to be in the ignition/cylinder for the bar to be able to move so this doesn't work without the key or if the key release portion of the cylinder is damaged.
No, just break off the plastic cover and it's right there - as long as it's this same design, the older cylinders (where the cover has the 2 tabs) may be different though.
unfortunately, allen wrench didn't work for me, 1.5mm allen is too small, 2mm allen is too big, must be something in the middle but luckily, a small screwdriver did! Hurray!! 2003 Suburban. This is the least destructive method of all the other methods that I've watched on RU-vid and it's the actual solution to the problem. I hope everyone else delete their videos and send everyone here for instructions.
You still need the key to get it to release unless you could somehow break the bar that drops down. If you look at videos showing guys drilling the column (like showing you how to steal one of these vehicles), that's what they're doing is drilling into the area where that bar comes down to essentially break it free from the cylinder.
