An ignition cylinder is a device that allows you to start your car by inserting and turning a key. It is also known as an ignition switch or a lock cylinder. It is connected to the ignition system and the steering wheel, and it controls the power and the security of your car. Sometimes, you might need to remove an ignition cylinder without a key. Whatever the reason, removing an ignition cylinder without a key is not an easy task. It requires some skills, tools, and patience. There are different methods and techniques that you can use, depending on the type and model of your car and the level of difficulty of the cylinder.
However, we do not recommend that you attempt this procedure without proper knowledge and experience. If you are not sure what you are doing, you might cause more damage to your car or injure yourself. We will explain how to remove an ignition cylinder without a key. The main purpose and goal of this article is to help you remove an ignition cylinder without a key safely and effectively. In this article, we will guide you through the steps and precautions for each method.
4 Best Methods: Remove an Ignition Cylinder without a Key
When you are struggling to remove an ignition cylinder without a key. You might search for a reasonable and effective method to do so. Deep research for this purpose can ruin your day. Don’t worry about it, we’ve got the solution for your problem. Here is the list of best methods that can help you effectively. Let’s uncover these methods:
Method 1: Drilling
Drilling is one of the most common and effective methods for removing an ignition cylinder without a key. It involves using a power drill and a drill bit to make a hole in the cylinder and destroy the pins that hold it in place. Once the pins are broken, you can easily pull out the cylinder with a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. The advantages of drilling are that it is fast and simple. You don’t need a lot of tools or skills to do it. You can finish the job in a few minutes and start your car with a new cylinder or a screwdriver.
The disadvantages of drilling are that it is destructive and risky. One will ruin their old cylinder and they might damage other parts of their ignition system or their steering wheel. You will also create a lot of noise and sparks, which could attract unwanted attention or cause a fire. You will also need to replace your cylinder with a new one, which could be expensive and time-consuming.
Important Tools:
- A power drill.
- A drill bit that is slightly smaller than the diameter of your cylinder
- A flathead or a pair of tweezers
- A grease or oil
- Safety glasses and gloves
Important Steps:
- Put on your safety glasses and gloves. Make sure your car is parked in a safe and secluded place. To prevent any short circuits or electrical shocks, unplug the battery.
- Locate your ignition cylinder on the steering column. It is usually a round metal piece with a keyhole in the centre. If you have a plastic cover around it, you might need to remove it first with a screwdriver or a pry tool.
- Spray some lubricant on the cylinder and the drill bit. This will help you drill more smoothly and prevent overheating.
- Insert the drill bit into the keyhole and align it with the centre of the cylinder. Apply steady pressure and start drilling slowly. You will feel some resistance as you drill through the metal and the pins. Keep drilling until you reach the end of the cylinder or until you hear a click sound. This means that you have broken the pins, and the cylinder is loose.
- Remove the drill bit and insert a screwdriver or a pair of pliers into the hole. Turn it gently and pull out the cylinder. You might need to shake it a while to get it out. Be careful not to damage the wires or the connectors behind the cylinder.
- Congratulations, you have successfully removed your ignition cylinder without a key. You can now start your car with a screwdriver or a new cylinder.
Method 2: Hammering
Hammering is another method for removing an ignition cylinder without a key. It involves using a hammer and a screwdriver to hit the cylinder and force it to turn. Once the cylinder is turned, you can pull it out with a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. The advantages of hammering are that it is simple and cheap. You only need a hammer and a screwdriver to do it. You don’t need to drill or destroy your cylinder. One can also reuse their old cylinder if they have a spare key or if they can make a new one.
The disadvantages of hammering are that it is noisy and damaging. You will create a lot of noise and vibration, which could alert other people or damage your car. One’s cylinder and steering wheel will also get dented and scratched. You might also break your screwdriver or injure your hand.
Important Tools:
- A hammer
- A flathead screwdriver
- A pair of pliers
- Safety glasses and gloves
Important Steps:
- Put on your safety glasses and gloves. Make sure your car is parked in a safe and secluded place. Remove the battery to avoid any electrical blows or short circuits.
- Locate your ignition cylinder on the steering column. It is usually a round metal piece with a keyhole in the centre. If you have a plastic cover around it, you might need to remove it first with a screwdriver or a pry tool.
- Insert the flathead screwdriver into the keyhole and push it in as far as you can. You might need to wiggle it a bit to find the right spot. The screwdriver should fit snugly and securely in the keyhole.
- Hold the hammer in your other hand and hit the end of the screwdriver with moderate force. You will hear a loud bang as you hit the cylinder. The screwdriver will act as a key and turn the cylinder. You might need to hit the screwdriver several times until the cylinder turns. Be careful not to hit your hand or the steering wheel.
- Once the cylinder is turned, pull out the screwdriver and insert a pair of pliers into the hole. Turn the pliers gently and pull out the cylinder. You might need to wiggle it a bit to get it out. Be careful not to damage the wires or the connectors behind the cylinder.
- Congratulations, you have successfully removed your ignition cylinder without a key. You can now start your car with a screwdriver or a new cylinder.
Method 3: Punching
Punching is another method for removing an ignition cylinder without a key. It involves using a punch tool and a hammer to make a hole in the cylinder and release the pin that holds it in place. Once the pin is released, you can easily pull out the cylinder with a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. The advantages of punching are that it is precise and clean. You only need to make a small hole in the cylinder, and you don’t need to drill or destroy it. One can also reuse their old cylinder if they have a spare key or if they can make a new one.
The disadvantages of punching are that it is difficult and time-consuming. You need to have a punch tool and a hammer, and you need to know where to punch the cylinder. You also need to have a lot of patience and accuracy, as you might need to punch the cylinder several times until the pin pops out. One might also damage the cylinder or the housing if one punches the wrong spot.
Important Tools:
- A punch tool, such as a centre punch or a nail punch
- A hammer
- A spanner or a hacksaw
- Safety glasses and gloves
Important Steps:
- Put on your safety glasses and gloves. Make sure your car is parked in a safe and secluded place. Detach the battery to escape any zaps or breakdowns.
- Locate your ignition cylinder on the steering column. It is usually a round metal piece with a keyhole in the centre. If you have a plastic cover around it, you might need to remove it first with a screwdriver or a pry tool.
- Find the pinhole on the cylinder. It is usually a small hole on the side or the bottom of the cylinder, near the keyhole. It is where the pin that holds the cylinder in place is located. You might need to use a flashlight or a magnifying glass to see it.
- Insert the punch tool into the pinhole and align it with the centre of the pin. Apply some pressure and hold the punch tool firmly in place. You might need to wiggle it a bit to find the right spot. The punch tool should fit snugly and securely in the pinhole.
- Hold the hammer in your other hand and hit the end of the punch tool with moderate force. You will hear a clicking sound as you hit the pin. The pin will move slightly and release the cylinder. You might need to hit the punch tool several times until the pin pops out completely. Be careful not to hit your hand or the steering wheel.
- Once the pin is out, pull out the punch tool and insert a screwdriver or a pair of pliers into the hole. Turn it gently and pull out the cylinder. Some twitching might be needed to pull it out. Be careful not to damage the wires or the connectors behind the cylinder.
- Congratulations, you have successfully removed your ignition cylinder without a key. You can now start your car with a screwdriver or a new cylinder.
Method 4: Picking
Picking is another method for removing an ignition cylinder without a key. It involves using a lock pick set and a tension wrench to manipulate the pins and springs inside the cylinder and unlock it. Once the cylinder is unlocked, you can easily pull it out with a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. The advantages of picking are that it is non-destructive and skillful. You don’t need to make any holes or damage your cylinder. One can also reuse their old cylinder if they have a spare key or if they can make a new one. You can also impress your friends with your lock-picking skills.
The disadvantages of picking are that it is challenging and illegal. You need to have a lock pick set and a tension wrench, and you need to know how to use them. One also needs to have a lot of practice and experience, as picking an ignition cylinder is not the same as picking a door lock. You might also get in trouble with the law if you are caught picking a lock that is not yours. Let’s discuss about the tools needed, when one tries to remove an ignition cylinder without a key.
Important Tools:
- A lock pick set, which includes various types of picks, such as rake picks, hook picks, diamond picks, etc.
- A tension wrench, which is a small metal tool that applies pressure and turns the cylinder.
- Safety glasses and gloves
Important Steps:
- Put on your safety glasses and gloves. Make sure your car is parked in a safe and secluded place. Remove the battery to stop any jolts or circuit failures.
- Locate your ignition cylinder on the steering column. It is usually a round metal piece with a keyhole in the centre. If you have a plastic cover around it, you might need to remove it first with a screwdriver or a pry tool.
- Insert the tension wrench into the bottom part of the keyhole and apply a slight pressure to the right or left, depending on the direction of the cylinder. You will feel some resistance as you turn the wrench. The tension wrench will act as a key and turn the cylinder. Do not apply too much pressure or you might damage the cylinder or the wrench.
- Insert the lock pick into the top part of the keyhole and gently slide it in and out. You will feel some bumps and clicks as you touch the pins and springs inside the cylinder. The lock pick will manipulate the pins and springs and align them with the shear line. You might need to try different types of picks and angles until you find the right one. Do not force the pick or you might damage the cylinder or the pick.
- Once all the pins and springs are aligned, you will hear a click sound and the cylinder will turn slightly. This means that you have unlocked the cylinder, and you can pull it out.
- Remove the lock pick and the tension wrench and insert a screwdriver or a pair of pliers into the hole. Turn it gently and pull out the cylinder. To extract it, you could shake it a little. Be careful not to damage the wires or the connectors behind the cylinder.
- Congratulations, you have successfully removed your ignition cylinder without a key. You can now start your car with a screwdriver or a new cylinder.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to remove an ignition cylinder without a key. We have explained the pros and cons of each method and the best practices for each one. We have also provided you with the tools and the steps for each method. However, we want to emphasize the importance of safety and caution when removing an ignition cylinder without a key. This is not a simple or easy task, and it could cause more harm than good if you are not careful. You might damage your car, injure yourself, or get in trouble with the law.
Therefore, we advise you to consult a professional locksmith if you have any doubts or questions. A locksmith can help you remove your ignition cylinder without a key safely and effectively. They can also provide you with a new cylinder or a new key or repair your old one. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable locksmith service, we recommend Patriot Locksmiths in Missouri. They are a licensed and insured locksmith company that can help you with any ignition cylinder issues. They have the skills, the tools, and the experience to handle any type of car and any type of lock.