My 92 SE, which I believe is cursed in it's 13th year of existance, needs the ignition cylinder replaced.

The story goes, my wife drives the car as a daily driver about 50 miles round trip each day. She calls me about a 2 weeks ago and says the car will not start when she was leaving the store at lunch. I asked her to check a couple things, which she didn't, but the car started when she tried it again. She calls me at the end of the day saying it will not start again. I drive 20 miles over there, put her keys in the car and it fires right up. I've done this twice before this year, so I'm a bit annoyed. We get the car home, pull it into the garage, and this is the last time it starts. When I turn the key I can hear the relays clicking and that's it. I had replaced the starter and solenoid this year, replaced all the belts, battery is about a year old and tests perfect, car has power, the fuses are fine. I checked the clutch pedel switches and tried to start it again and now the key will not turn in the ignition. I'm thinking a tumbler broke off in the ignition cylinder, but when I tried to price them out it's sounding like a dealership item. Anybody have any ideas where to get one?

I have a 2004 SE she's driving in the interum, and I'm trying to finish up the bar I'm building, which should be done Saturday, so I've just kind of been brushing this aside.

 

try internetautomart

 

I would guess and say your trouble is with the lock cylinder itself.It is probably causing your starting too....

It is much easier to replace the entire steering column with a used one because the ignition lock is attatched to the column with heavy duty large rivets that you have to drill out....

 

I would agree it's with the lock cylinder. I check the web site below previously, and no luck. I pretty much need a used cyliner with a key, or just to by a new one.

 

I have a full parts car with key and every thing im completely junking. Key not needed either.

That does sound like your problem. My mx3 just broke the key off in the ignition, man I wish it was my max cuz then it'd be a free fix, doh!

~Alex

 

it doesn't sound like a lock cylinder to me.
if the key doesn't turn or has a hard time turning consistenetly, then it may be the cylinder.
have you checked your shifter bushing by chance??

 

The key doesn't turn at all in the ignition cylinder now. It may or may not be the cause of the car not starting 2 weeks ago, but I can't trouble shoot any further until I can turn the key.

 

If you are talking about a shifter bushing on an auto, it's a 5 speed. If your not, I'm lost. Thanks.

 

oops, missed the clutch switch check on your first post.
BTW there is a bushing of some sort on the stick too, I think.
I'd also check the neutral safety switch/backup light switch.
since the key doesn't turn at all now, you probably have 2 problems.
1 mechanical (lock cylinder, which includes the switch BTW) and 1 electrical (can't diagnose that until problem 1 is fixed)
the lock cylinder is largely unavailable in the aftermarket. But I can get you one for $120 plus shipping brand new

 

thanks, I looked on your site and didn't see any. I've had a couple hits from people with parts cars, so I'm hoping for a used one first. That's not bad a bad price for new! I'll probably make a decision early next week.

My Saturday is going to involve pouring an epoxy top on the bar I've been working hard on for months. It's an 8'x5 L shaped oak bar, and I'm interested in the look of a 1/4" clear epoxy top, and scared to do it. Good or bad, I'll be done with that and have more time to get frustrated with my max next week.

 

I actually just put it up there, since you asked.
There's a lot of stuff that isn't up there because I'm not sure if people are looking for it or not.