bandit080000

Hey everyone,

So about 4 hours ago I moved my car to the other side of the street (gotta love city parking) and now I went out there to move it again and the key won't move past 0. I've tried moving the steering wheel back and forth (now it's locked) and nothing. What could it be?

It's a 92 Civic LX.

ziggy3784

that sounds similiar to what happened to me before. It was in a blazer but still sounds similiar. I parked my car for the night and in the morning i went to start it up and the key wouldn't budge. I tried moving the steering wheel and everything. I had to replace the ignition tumbler. Did you have trouble turning your key before this(had to move the steering wheel around a lot to get it to turn)?

bandit080000

I didn't have to move the steering wheel too much. A little to unlock the steering wheel, but that's all. I think that I might have to replace the entire assembly. I can't get the key to turn at all, and from what I understand, I have to get the key to 1 to remove the tumbler. Any advice on how to do it without having to replace the assembly? Or would I be better off replacing the whole thing?

ziggy3784

You would probably be better off replacing the whole assembly. This happened to me about 4 years ago so i don't remember if i replaced the entire assembly or or just the tumbler. I do know that the procedure was farely easy i just needed a steering wheel puller.

90_EX_Civic

automatic, or 5 speed?

Mrmatt3465

Lol silly situation kinda happened to me once. It wouldn't turn for me at all. I tried and tried. I took the key out, turned it around, put it back in, and it turned fine. I cannot explain how or why that happened, but it did.

.Hookedonhatch.

this happens to some cars at my work periodically. get a can of wd-40 or pb blaster and use the red spray tube to squirt some fluid down into the tumbler. Works for us 99% of the time!

CivicSpoon

bandit080000

It's a 5 speed. I'll give the WD-40 Method a try. I've tried two keys with no success!

sde780

Try putting it in not all the way. My key's dont work on the driver's door AND the ignition unless you put it all the way in, then pull it out 1 cm or so

uzi1

get a new dealer key cut and small can of rem oil(instead of wd40). If that doesnt work time for new parts. good luck!

bandit080000

I tried everything, even a brand new key. I ordered a new assembly since I also can't get the tumbler out. Anything tricky about installing it? Anything related to the steering lock to watch out for? Or pretty much just plug 'n' play?

honda.lioness

Follow SRS precautions but otherwise plug n play. Bet you already have it apart. I usually swear by the shop manual but I pulled the ignition key cylinder several times on 92-95 Civics at junkyards just by looking at its screws/nuts/bolts. Still, the shop manual is not bad to review for this. Some clues: http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m...pdf/23-a68.pdf

lsvtecturbosol

Youre going to have to cut the bolts holding the cylinder on because they use theft proof bolts that the heads break off when tightened down so there is no other way to get them out. its fairly easy and ive actually pulled if off one time by wedging the drill bit into the corner and the bolt and when I started to drill it loosened the bolt lol. It's a fairly easy fix though.

bandit080000

So I started taking it apart today, and I now realize what everyone's been saying about the bolts that break off. What are some methods to get them out? My drill doesn't fit in that area. I have a dremel, but I'm not sure that's any smaller.

crimsonboots

I have this same problem. I have a 91 Acura Integra. This has just happened recently. I have to wait in the car (it's below freezing out mind you) for over ten minutes and up to an hour other times. I have gotten used to just leaving the radio lights on and such, because the key wont budge. I just go back out after a half hour to check it, usually it comes out easily then. Is it just the cold weather?
When you all replaced your key, did the problem stop for good? My friend just took the front end apart and cleaned the area that was supposed to fix it... to no avail. It still gets stuck.

bandit080000

The problem that I had was with the key barely going in, and not being able to turn. I'm assuming that the tumblers went out of configuration with the key I had. I ended up replacing the whole ignition switch unit. Was about $200 from Autozone (450 from Honda). If you can turn the key to position 1, I believe you can replace just the tumbler. This'll end up costing you around $45 as opposed to the $200.

Here's a how-to on CC.

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=88062

Good Luck!

Anon51

i use a hammer and a chisel on those break-off bolts and just hit them out since they aren't on there that tight. they come out pretty easy. remember righty tighty lefty loosey