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Ignition lock cylinder

Tiny
BEN LEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,547 MILES
Hello all. I had to put a "new" ignition lock cylinder in my car. Old one would turn at all. The "new" one is out of an 2004, bought on eBay. I had to do some cutting and soldering because the " new " one had a shorter cable. Now, the car starts but only for a second or two. Anti-theft light on the dash flashes. Seeing some of the old posts, I tried the on for ten minutes three times method to no avail. My light only flashes for a few seconds, then stays on, solid. Even after waiting for the said ten minutes. I saw somewhere I can try resetting the system; negative battery cable off for thirty minutes, then unlock the door with the key. Trying that right now. No chip in the keys, no electronic doors. Any advice will help. Please.
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Sunday, August 26th, 2018 AT 10:03 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
More than likely the theft-lock sensor was damaged when you replaced the cylinder. They have a tamper pin that is easy to break off if you are not super careful and it destroys the sensor.
Was the replacement unit out of an early build 2004? If you are not sure look at the key and see if it has PK3 stamped on it. If it does that lock will not work in the 1996 anyway as it does not have the magnet to trigger the sensor in the column.
You also will need a good scan tool that can read the anti-theft data from the instrument panel. That would tell you if the issue is the key or the lock or the sensor. If you still have the original parts you could take them to a locksmith and have the cylinder repaired. May take less time and money than fighting with what you have.
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Sunday, August 26th, 2018 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
BEN LEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, I am trying the ten minutes method again right now. I will look at the key after this round. And I saw that pin, I think, when I put this one in. I thought I was gentle enough and I cut the cable at the cylinder when I went to do the soldering, so I do not think that will work, unless they can put the old innards in the newer housing.
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Sunday, August 26th, 2018 AT 11:24 AM
Tiny
BEN LEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
That did not work, again. I disconnected the negative battery cable and pulled it out and everything looks intact to me. No PK3 stamped on the key.
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Sunday, August 26th, 2018 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
BEN LEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Here it is, is that the pin?
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Sunday, August 26th, 2018 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
It is a plastic pin that should be in between the lock cylinder and the housing. If you look straight into the lock housing it should be there.
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Sunday, August 26th, 2018 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
BEN LEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Pointing at your eyes when you look down there. Still there.
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Monday, August 27th, 2018 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
It should be on the side not in the bottom. The sensor attaches to the side of the cylinder. The one I can see in that picture is the pin that turns the switch itself.
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Monday, August 27th, 2018 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
BEN LEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The only other pin I see is the smaller metal one at the very bottom. Right next to that is the plastic one coming straight at you.
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Monday, August 27th, 2018 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
Could you take a picture of the key, just a close up of the head? I suspect you have the later transponder style unit if there is no pin visible. The head of the key should make it easier to tell.
They switched to transponder keys mid year but there were some out earlier. If the cylinder you have is that style it will never work with the security system you have.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
BEN LEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The old one's grip fell off. New one that came with the cylinder has it still.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 5:16 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
That new key looks a lot like the valet key for the newer car, not the primary key. What does the new key have stamped below the rubber molding? Cannot see it very well.
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Thursday, August 30th, 2018 AT 8:07 PM

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