Hiddenlites
07-22-2004, 02:14 AM
Let's start this thread by saying this - When the ignition lock cylinder is removed from its housing on your manual transmission S-series (this is applicable to 1st gen. I can't vouch for later models.), DO NOT turn the tang inside the housing to RUN. Something in the steering wheel lock mechanism will catch and you will not be able to return the tang back to ACC, which is where it needs to be to reinstall the lock cylinder.
If you are reading this thread, chances are you have already found this out the hard way. Don't despair; there is a way to undo what you have just done.
First you will have to remove the screws from the bottom of the steering wheel lock assembly that attach the headlamp, turn signal, wiper, etc. switches. Also remove the ignition switch from the left side of the lock assembly. Next remove the two bolts that attach the lock assembly to the steering shaft.
Now a few words about these two bolts. These bolts are designed to be theft-deterrent. When they were originally installed, they had an external Torx head, and then the heads were filed down. The size of the heads is E6. Chances are you won't have an E6 bit in your socket set, but you may be able to get by without one. I was able to remove these bolts using a six-point 4mm socket. There's not much for the socket to bite, so before I turned my bolts I put the socket on the bolt head and tapped on the socket a couple of times with a hammer to make sure it was well seated. After that they spun right (actually to the left:hmpf: )out. If you are not as lucky and can't grip the head, I read in another thread that you'll have to cut the bolt head off with a chisel. To save frustration during reassembly, I used new bolts. I got pair of bolts from my Saturn dealer for $5.19 after taxes. Not the greatest deal in the world, but I didn't want to spend my entire evening trying to chase 'em down elsewhere.
Now that the bolts are out, you can remove the bottom half of the lock assembly. You'll be able to see the dead bolt that locks the steering shaft. Push the bolt in, and then you will be able to turn the tang back to ACC. Installation is reverse of the removal process, and make sure to move the ignition switch back to ACC before reinstalling it to the steering lock mechanism.
If you are reading this thread, chances are you have already found this out the hard way. Don't despair; there is a way to undo what you have just done.
First you will have to remove the screws from the bottom of the steering wheel lock assembly that attach the headlamp, turn signal, wiper, etc. switches. Also remove the ignition switch from the left side of the lock assembly. Next remove the two bolts that attach the lock assembly to the steering shaft.
Now a few words about these two bolts. These bolts are designed to be theft-deterrent. When they were originally installed, they had an external Torx head, and then the heads were filed down. The size of the heads is E6. Chances are you won't have an E6 bit in your socket set, but you may be able to get by without one. I was able to remove these bolts using a six-point 4mm socket. There's not much for the socket to bite, so before I turned my bolts I put the socket on the bolt head and tapped on the socket a couple of times with a hammer to make sure it was well seated. After that they spun right (actually to the left:hmpf: )out. If you are not as lucky and can't grip the head, I read in another thread that you'll have to cut the bolt head off with a chisel. To save frustration during reassembly, I used new bolts. I got pair of bolts from my Saturn dealer for $5.19 after taxes. Not the greatest deal in the world, but I didn't want to spend my entire evening trying to chase 'em down elsewhere.
Now that the bolts are out, you can remove the bottom half of the lock assembly. You'll be able to see the dead bolt that locks the steering shaft. Push the bolt in, and then you will be able to turn the tang back to ACC. Installation is reverse of the removal process, and make sure to move the ignition switch back to ACC before reinstalling it to the steering lock mechanism.