Key will not turn in the ignition.

Tiny
SNAPKIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 SATURN SL2
  • 14,500 MILES
1999 Saturn SL2 key in the ignition will not turn at all. Already tried turning the steering wheel, no avail. Please help.
Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 8:41 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Does the key look badly worn down?Also if you jiggle the key up and down while turning it does it turn?Another trick pop the ignition bezel off then take a hammer and lightly hit the key hole opening. Then see if the cylinder will turn. Let me know what you find.
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
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I have tried two keys. I will try the other ideas and let you know. I am waiting for a ride back to my car now so if you have any other ideas please let me know.
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Those are my only ideas if you cant get it to turn with those ideas you will have to drill the cylinder so it will turn so you can replace it. Ethier way your going to have to replace it. Let me know what you find.
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 9:12 PM
Tiny
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Is there any way I could force the switch to turn using a screw driver and vice grips?
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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No try what I asked if not your drilling it you have to get the cylinder to the acc position to remove and replace it. Let me know how it goes.
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 9:30 PM
Tiny
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OK I will let you know as soon as I get back. Thank you again.
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
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Your welcome keep me posted.
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
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I think I'm going to have to drill it out. Any advise on that?
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Monday, July 9th, 2012 AT 3:52 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Measure the distance the key actual goes into the cylinder then mark that distance on the drill bit with some tape. That will show you how deep you have to drill it. Then you drill into the key hole I would start with a 3/16" bit then once the bita all he way in rock it up ajd down in the key hole. Then see if the cylinder will turn. Then when you get it home and get a new cylinder let me know and I will tell you how to replace it.
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Monday, July 9th, 2012 AT 5:35 AM
Tiny
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Ok. It might be a couple days. I have yup work.
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Monday, July 9th, 2012 AT 5:37 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Before you drill it one last thing to try where the ashtray goes into the front of the center console. Pop the cubbie up out of the console. Look down into the console on the right you will see a grey cable that is adjustable. You can pop the tab up then the center of the cable slides in and out. Look on the right side of the center of the cable you will see two dots that are indented into cable. Then them up with the center hole of the center of the cable where it slides thru. There always out of adjustment thats your bitsi cable keeps you from turning your key off in any other position but park. When there out of adjustment then can cause the cylinders to bind up when trying to turn the key from lock position.
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Monday, July 9th, 2012 AT 5:46 AM
Tiny
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I tried the cable thing, nothing. Started drilling and I have a hole, a broken bit suck inside and still nothing. How deep do I have to go?
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 11:55 PM
Tiny
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I told you to measure the deepth the key goes in and mark that deepth on the drill bit with tape remember?Also you have to get the broken bit out before you can get anymore drilling done.
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 12:19 AM
Tiny
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OK I got it drilled out to the depth of the key and it still won't turn. I am at a loss.
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 3:02 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You have to drill the top of the key hole opening and the bottom of the key hole opening to remove the tumblars till it will turn. Otherwise you will have to replace the ignition cylinder and the housing.
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 3:18 AM
Tiny
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I got the entire lock cylinder drilled out. Still won't turn.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
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Lets try this Get a 5.5 mm nut driver and remove the upper steering column shroud. Then above where the key cylinder slides into the ignition housing. You will see a button see you can press the button amd remove the cylinder. You might have to press it really hard. Thats the button that allows you to two remove the cylinder in the acc positon. All the drilling may have allowed you to be able to replace the button. If not you may be able to use a slide hammer to remove the cylinder.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
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Ok, I did get the entire cylinder out, I can see a slot at the bottom of the housing but still nothing.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
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So you only maybe got the center core of the cylinder out?Looks like the outter cylinder housing is still in there?
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
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I have no idea, should I still try to push the release button? Shouldn't it turn at this point?
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 6:44 PM

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