this morning i went out to start the truck and the steering wheel wouldn't unlock. i wiggled and turned the wheel back and forth and it ended up getting worse, so now the key won't even go in the ignition(it gets in there around half way in).
so, i'm wondering if i have to replace the whole column, or if it is simpler?
any help would be greatly appreciated.
heath

 

My key got jammed in the lock cylinder also.
You will have to remove your steering wheel to get to it.

It is easy to replace your lock cylinder, you can get them from Napa and it includes 2 new keys. I would not bother trying to have them re-keyed with the doors; I think it is added security.

Here is how to replace it.
When you have your steering wheel off be careful not to spin the steering box so you do not ruin your clock spring.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/....html?t=241339

Jim

 

hi jim. thank you so much. great step by step. i've never done anything like this before, but it does look simple(nothing is ever as it appears, i've noticed).
i'm wondering, you said in your post above that i would have to remove my steering wheel. i don't see this in the sticky you linked to. do i really have to remove the actual steering wheel, or do you mean something else?
also;
my wheel is locked. when i replace the lock cylinder, can i manually unlock the wheel while everything is apart?
thanks for all your help jim. great resources.
heath

 

Heath,
Sorry,
You will be ok, you do NOT have to remove your steering wheel to get at your lock assembly. I can see it in my own pictures. I was thinking about the other side.

Also once you get to here, you can unlock your steering wheel.



These are what lock your steering wheel and shifter, all controlled by the position of your keylock.




Jim

 

wow, great...pheew. i'm still waiting for it to get above 32 degrees and i'm gonna do it. thanx again jim.
h

 

I'm pretty sure the 89 is different from the 91, the reason I say this is because when my ignition went out on my 91 I went to my parts cab (it's a 90) and the column was different, it has the kind where most of the stuff is under the dash and there is linkage that controls it, where as the 91's went to the newer style that goes up to the 02's and everything is in the column.

I don't really know much about the older style ones so I can't really help much, but one place may be to look and see if the linkage is binding.


Chris

 

When you get your lock apart you might just dry cleaning the cylinder and then re-lubricating it. I got tired of fooling with the ignition key and took a spare key cut the head off of it stuck it in the ignition and leave it there. It can't be seen from the outside and allows me to leave the truck running and lock it easily.
Mike

 

Ditto mine, ... I leave a black headed key in there that blends into the surrounding black plastic. My ignition turns on the dashboard and that's about all, so if you notice the key and try to start it good luck! By that time my Lab will be chewing your ear, or licking it more like being a Lab, ...

 

yeah, i noticed that my steering column isn't the same as the one in the pictures, so i'm not sure if the
mechenisms will be the same. i guess all i can do is take it apart and hope i can at least get the steering wheel unlocked, so if i have to, i can hotwire it and rig it up on a switch until i can figure it out. if i can just realign the tumbler, so i can get the key in there to start it, i'll do what you guys suggested. right now i just need to get the wheel unlocked.
it's supposed to be in the 30's on monday, so i plan to pull it all apart and at least clean it. maybe try and get the linkage lined up again somehow.
thanx for the help.

 

The old non-tilt columns are different, the wheel and the turn signal switch both have to come out.