Quote:
Originally Posted by jacobzking
please let us know what you guys do about the steering column lock
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Essentially you have three options for the steering wheel lock.
A. Have a copy of your key made (a non-chip key, should cost less than 2 bucks). Mark the key about half a centimeter where it sticks out of the ignition, cut the key off at that point, reinsert and use needle nose pliers to turn it to the on position. Cover, and never touch again.
B. Remove the entire ignition assembly. This requires some skill, as you must get that bolt off somehow (see this video [ame]http://youtu.be/rMv79GFUh-s[/ame]), or dremel through the cover folding it onto the steering wheel column (which is what I ended up doing in frustration).
C. Remove the steering wheel lock itself. Now, this is something I can't entirely vouch for, but might end up being the best way for a clean solution. I figured this out after dremeling off my ignition assembly, so I don't know how easy it is to do when it is still attached to the car. I am currently travelling so I won't be able to post pics for a couple of weeks, but here is how it would work:
Remove the steering wheel column cover. Take off the immobilizer. On the back side of the ignition cylinder (midway of where the key will be), there is a small hole with a button. The hole is hard to see, there are some metal prongs sticking out, it is not in those columns, it is a flat hole between them. You need to insert your key, and turn it to the on position (or it might be ACC, I can't remember offhand). In that position, use a pick or other narrow tool, and insert it into the small hole in the back. If the key is in the right position, the button will push in. Pull on the key, and the ignition will slide forward a little bit. Next, look for a small hole on the other side (you should be able to see it facing you as you sit in the seat). Insert a probe into that hole, and pull on the key more, the ignition should just slide right out.
Now, look into the chamber where the ignition was, on the bottom there is a spring, and two pieces of metal that slide back and forth (this is the steering wheel lock). This is the lock. You may be able to use long narrow needle nose pliers to remove the spring and the metal pieces. Then reinsert the ignition and you should be good to go.