Ignition cylinder woes

[headpecker]

Has anyone had to replace their ignition lock cylinder(key switch) on the column?I've heard its a common problem on F-bodies.Was wondering if its do-able at home or a dealer only kind of thing.Thanks!

[tatertot91]

Has anyone had to replace their ignition lock cylinder(key switch) on the column?I've heard its a common problem on F-bodies.Was wondering if its do-able at home or a dealer only kind of thing.Thanks!

Did your VATS go bad?
If it did you can fix it for less than $5 at home
Does the car not start?

[headpecker]

Don't know what VATS are,but the car won't start.It turns over fine,but won't start.Parts-counter guy says F-cars are bad for the ignition lock cylinders going bad.????

[tatertot91]

Don't know what VATS are,but the car won't start.It turns over fine,but won't start.Parts-counter guy says F-cars are bad for the ignition lock cylinders going bad.????

If the car turns over then i doubt its ignition. If it was ignition, then you would probably have the security light flashing when you try to start the car. That happened to my friends Z last weekend. Could be something else keeping it from starting. Maybe fuel? How long have you had the problem? Did you do anything to the car recently (cam, Heads, etc.)?

VATS is your Vehicle.Anti.Theft.System i believe.
Your ignition key has that little piece on it (a resistor), the car sends a signal through that resistor, if its the right ohm resistor for your car, then your car turns over. If its not (meaning you have the wrong key or your lock cylinder vats system is bad, the car will warn you through the security light on your dash. This is why i believe its not your ignition lock cylinder.

[headpecker]

Well I'm not getting any security light on the dash or anything like that.I asked the guy at the local chevy dealership parts counter if he thought it could be the thing on the key,he said he has rarely heard of those going bad,and he makes the keys there!He said the wires on the lock cylinder wear down after a while because they are not properly ''shielded''.

[tatertot91]

Never said the key went bad, but the system that reads the key.
Dont know what else it could be.
Maybe some other members might

[CamaroKidZ28]

I have had a problem with my ignition lock cylinder 3 times. wire's chaffe and break. That is 100% not your problem. If it was your car would not crank at all. Though for anyone interested, the replacement part is around 120 bucks but at your local gm dealer they will cut off the wires and bypass it electronically so you wont ever have that problem ever again for about one hours labor.

[tatertot91]

I have had a problem with my ignition lock cylinder 3 times. wire's chaffe and break. That is 100% not your problem. If it was your car would not crank at all. Though for anyone interested, the replacement part is around 120 bucks but at your local gm dealer they will cut off the wires and bypass it electronically so you wont ever have that problem ever again for about one hours labor.

Or you could go to Radioshack and put in a 99 cent resistor in

[headpecker]

Fill me in on the radio shack fix please!

[0rion]

that won't fix it....if it were vats it would disable the starter and fuel pump. If it's turning over but not starting then go to the basics. Check your fuel pressure first. Do you hear the pump prime when you turn on the key? If you have correct fuel pressure (~58psi) then move to spark and make sure you have spark.

[bluefields88]

I have the security light/wont turn over/no fuel pump!!!!!! what is wrong with my car and what is the fix??? sorry for the thread jack, but I am going through this problem today.

[headpecker]

Not sure man,I have no security light,have fuel pump,engine turns, but no start!!Damn these cars!!

[Hi-Po]

Not sure man,I have no security light,have fuel pump,engine turns, but no start!!Damn these cars!!

Have you checked fuel PSI?

[headpecker]

Not yet,waitin for the weekend!I have 2 pumps and I can hear the stock pump come on. The last time it happened,I kept jiggling the key,and it started eventually!!

[0rion]

I have the security light/wont turn over/no fuel pump!!!!!! what is wrong with my car and what is the fix??? sorry for the thread jack, but I am going through this problem today.

yours sounds like vats.....look in the stickies at the top of the general forum. The fix is in there.

[headpecker]

you say vats,other guys say no way! Not sure what to think!

[0rion]

you say vats,other guys say no way! Not sure what to think!

I quoted bluefields88....his is vats. Yours is not. Check your fuel pressure first.