1996 Chevy Silverado. Replaced ignition lock, now no power (no click/t

Kevin Sellers · July 4, 2015

My keys fell out of a boat and into the river, and I had no spares (lesson learned...:-/). My Dad and I tried drilling the ignition-lock out in hopes of simply putting in a new one and having it work.

We were able to start the car after we were about half-done with the drilling by turning the existing ignition-lock. We disconnected the battery and continued to drill out the remainder. Now that it's out, we have direct access to the switch that the ignition lock actually turns, but now the car won't click/turn when we turn it with a chisel.

The slot doesn't seem to turn the full amount, but I'm unsure. We thought we might've blown a fuse, but found our 10A looking okay for IGN and Crank. Also, the radio is on when the battery is connected, so it seems that it is stuck in the on position. Could it be the starter relay? We also used bike oil in the lock while drilling...

Any ideas on what we can try?

Thank you!

Kevin

Duelin · July 4, 2015

I would say part of the problem would be the security system. There is no key for the system to see. I think that year has the Pass Loc 1 system. And there also is the possibility that you damage something while you were drilling. Your best bet before you started drilling was to take your VIN # and proof of ownership to a GM dealership and have a new Key cut. But that is water under the bridge now. Maybe next time.

Kevin Sellers · July 5, 2015

I would say part of the problem would be the security system. There is no key for the system to see. I think that year has the Pass Loc 1 system. And there also is the possibility that you damage something while you were drilling. Your best bet before you started drilling was to take your VIN # and proof of ownership to a GM dealership and have a new Key cut. But that is water under the bridge now. Maybe next time.

Thank you for your response. I read a bit about the "programming" of keys, but my keys don't seem to house any electronics. I could be mistaken, but it seems to be just plastic.

txab · July 5, 2015

I would say part of the problem would be the security system. There is no key for the system to see. I think that year has the Pass Loc 1 system. And there also is the possibility that you damage something while you were drilling. Your best bet before you started drilling was to take your VIN # and proof of ownership to a GM dealership and have a new Key cut. But that is water under the bridge now. Maybe next time.

^^^^^ +1

Even go to a locksmith before you did what you did. You've cost yourself more time and money this route. Learn from this

Kevin Sellers · July 5, 2015

^^^^^ +1

Even go to a locksmith before you did what you did. You've cost yourself more time and money this route. Learn from this

Well actually I had forgotten that the reason we didn't do this. Several years back the ignition switch was replaced, so it's not factory made.

txab · July 5, 2015

Locksmith still could have gotten it taken care of

Kevin Sellers · July 6, 2015

Okay. I'll do my best to recover from the situation.

txab · July 6, 2015

You're not the only person reading this thread. If the next guy can be helped, then it's worth it.

Either contact a dealership if it's the original cylinder or seek out a qualified locksmith. Either can make you a key with little to no problems.

If it's a replacement, then see a locksmith. You're usually done in an hour

Kevin Sellers · July 6, 2015

We ended up hiring a mechanic that has done some things for us in the past. He removed the housing of the ignition lock to find we had broken a piece of plastic while drilling. He found a replacement at a Pick n Pull after checking 4 Chevys (had to find one with either the key in it or no ignition lock). The part cost $40 and he charged $80 for his time. He also mentioned that a friend of his had recently lost his keys in the river and had paid a locksmith $350 to re-key it.

I was very fortunate to have the cost be so low. I'm happy to give business to the mechanic as he's a kind young man. It's very risky, although possible to drill out a lock. Though I don't recommend it!