Hello all! Man, it's been a minute since I was here last. I know I can always count on the .org though! Alright, I have a tough/weird one - hopefully some of you Max geniuses out there can help.

About 5 months ago I moved to Lexington, KY to start grad school. I towed my Maxima behind my 4Runner across the country on a 2 wheel car dolly. They say to load the front wheels on the dolly and the steering wheel has to be able to lock. 2 days later I'm in Lexington ready to get settled in and I go to pull my Maxima off the dolly and I can't get my key to turn!! I try wiggling the steering wheel and it still won't turn. To get it started, I ended up having to unscrew the ignition wiring harness from the key cylinder and turn the plastic "T" opening in the harness to get it to start and get my car off the dolly.

I figured something broke inside the key cylinder and took it to a locksmith. He pointed out that the steering wheel wasn't locking anymore. It was as if my wheel was permenantly turned to the side, and wiggling my wheel wasn't doing anything. I looked into it and the key cylinder and steering wheel lock are built into one unit that has to be drilled out to remove. All my tools are still in storage in San Diego, so I've been driving around with the harness hanging. Anyone could take my car right now with a screwdriver. Also, if my steering wheel ever decided to lock and start working again, it would probably happen while I was driving around and would surely cause an accident. Needless to say, I need to fix this.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?! I would love to be able to disassemble it while still in the vehicle, but it looks like it's all one unit. I see what looks like a pin that can be hammered out with a punch, but I don't know if this will do anything. Any of you ever disassemble an ignition key cylinder? Can it even be done? I also thought about tapping it with a hammer, but that's probably not smart that close to an airbag. Well, this turned out crazy long, but hopefully some of you will have something for me. Thanks in advance! MT by the way.

 

Drill out the security screws and replace it.

 

bump. anyone?