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Ignition Cylinder

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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 06:12 PM
  #1  
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Ignition Cylinder

Hey Guys,

Is there any way to lubricate the ignition cylinder on '97 Expy? It seems that it should turn a little more smoothly.

Thanks
Dean
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 09:47 PM
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Have you pulled it out and checked it, its real easy to do.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 10:55 PM
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Can you explain how to remove it and can it be lubed and with what do you recommend?

WD40, liquid wrench?
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:03 PM
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Dielectric grease.

Under the steering column is a hole that you can put an awl or something similar in. This will push in the detent that releases the cylinder. You may have to remove the trim to access it.

You have to have the key in ACCS. position (1st click forward; not started) I believe. That is the way it worked in my Excursion.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:03 PM
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I wouldn't lube it, simply because you have a contact that rides the rim. That contact makes your door ding w/the key in the ignition. Though that piece may be broken and causing your problem.
To remove the cylinder, you will need a small screwdriver or such device. You insert the key in the cylinder, then under the ignition cylinder, in the trim cover, there is a small hole. You put the scewdriver in the hole and rotate the ignition key forward slowly, about an 1/8 of a turn or so, and pulling slightly. Don't pull hard it comes out easily. You will feel what is a check ball as you rotate the key, put a little pressure on it and the cylinder should come free. Installation is simply reinserting the cylinder.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:04 PM
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Whoa...cool... same time for both posts.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:06 PM
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LOL......birds of a feather.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Monsta
Dielectric grease.

Under the steering column is a hole that you can put an awl or something similar in. This will push in the detent that releases the cylinder. You may have to remove the trim to access it.

You have to have the key in ACCS. position (1st click forward; not started) I believe. That is the way it worked in my Excursion.
The accesory position for the expedition is one click backwards.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:47 PM
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Guys, thanks for the responses. There doesn't seem to be anything broken, the chimes work when the key is in, I just feel it should be a bit smoother when turning the key. If putting lube on it won't solve this particular problem, that's OK, I just don't want to screw anything else up. Monsta, you say dielectric grease but HH says no.
Guess I'll just leave well enough alone.
Thanks again.
Dean
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:53 PM
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You might have a key that is a little bent. Mine got caught in a chair, and had a nice bow in it. I was able to bend the key back, but it hasn't worked the same since it was bent.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2004 | 11:58 PM
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No, not bent, it's a new key.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2004 | 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by mistercmk
The accesory position for the expedition is one click backwards.
Yup.

Shoulda just said the RUN position (without it runnin').

Monsta, you say dielectric grease but HH says no.
I think he was referring to the WD-40 (et al) question you had. The cylinder is factory lubed with dieletric grease.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2004 | 09:23 AM
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The main reason I did not recommend any lube, was peeps tend to take the easiest route to fix something. Then it sometimes only covers the actual problem. I definately don't mind being wrong if it is just lube, but I rarely see ignition cylinders fixed this way.

dean58, I would go ahead and pull the cylinder and take a look at it, it only takes 5 minutes.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2004 | 09:34 AM
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HH,

Thanks for the reply. As I said, the cylinder doesn't get stuck at all, it just seems that it could turn a bit more smoothly. Maybe it's just me.....
 
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Old Jul 11, 2004 | 09:38 AM
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Sure, sure...I know what your saying, I get the same way. I hear something I never heard before and it turns into a project to figure out it was just me. Since you say its a new key, you may also want to take it back and ask them to clean it up a bit. Tell them it seems to be catching or whatever, could be a slight edge on the finish cut.
 
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