I have a 02 mc .. I have watched the videos and it looks very easy my only question is they say you have to turn the key to change the key cylinder .. but I cannot turn my key at all!! Any advice would be awesome thanks!!

 

Hi Amanda..
Welcome back...
Heres a suggestion that you may or maynot want to do...

I take it that you have a key that use to work...

I would recommend getting another key cut... at least that way youll be able to open the ignition... that will allow you to change out the worn one for a new one...(ignition)....
Since you/we aren't sure if its a worn key issue, or a worn out ignition switch...

There is however other "Primitive ways" to remove the tumblers...
In my past, we use to use a slide hammer..

on one end of it has what looks like a wood screw...
We would screw it into the slot where the key goes and jerk out the tumblers which would allow you to start the car with a screw driver..

I'm just thinking that's a little drastic..

Otherwise I would consider calling a lock smith to come out and replace it for you since you have already purchased a new ignition. That way he can also match it to your current locks so you wont need 3 keys to use your Monte... 1 for the ignition and 1 for the doors.. 1 for the trunk..

I will however do a little research and see if I cant find "Another" way to get the ignition open to remove the cylinder.

 

Have you tried moving the steering wheel or shifter back and forth and giggling the key while trying to turn it? Sometimes the park mechanism will jam and not allow the key to turn. Sometimes spraying penetrating oil into the key slot will help free things up also.

 

Here is the exact word from the shop book on the subject (I would only do this if there is absolutely NO way to turn the cylinder):

12. Use the following procedure if the ignition switch lock cylinder is seized or won't rotate:
12.1. Protect the immediate work area with suitable material such as clean shop towels or a clean fender cover.
12.2. Locate the surface for the release button (2) for the ignition switch lock cylinder on the plastic ignition switch housing. Center punch a location (1) on the rib approximately 3/8 inch reward, toward the key entry end, from the cylinder release button.
12.3. Carefully drill a pilot hole through the plastic housing with a 1/8-inch drill bit.
12.4. Using a 9/32-inch drill bit, carefully drill a larger hole at the pilot location, and slightly into the surface of the ignition switch lock cylinder, to break the release button retaining spring.
12.5. Remove portions of the broken spring from the hole using a small suitable tool.
12.6. Grasp the ignition switch lock cylinder and remove the cylinder from the switch housing.
12.7. Remove any plastic flash from the drilling operation, and using compressed air blow out the ignition switch assembly.

 

Thanks all! I wound up Calling pop a lock and this lady came out and did all that stuff.. I just couldn't deal with it anymore. (Not to mention this was the day before Easter.) 130$ but worth every penny.
This is bullsh*t what happens next...

So then she told me about the "3 time 30 minutes total" security thing...
And that didnt work (She was gone at this point, she was actually only called out to come get the key to turn and pull the cylinder out) so I did the security bs for probably 3 hours,
(When the locksmith had pulled it out and messed with the original cylinder it turned perfectly time after time, and as we know, prior to this all, went get a key cut at my local chevy dealer with my VIN number. )

So it was 8 oclock at night after starting at 3 and I was so aggravated, I deciced to pull the new cylinder out, and put the old one In and prayed that the security still remembered the key... In which it did and now the original one works like its brand new (crazy how things work like that)

thanks for all the help!!