How To Replace Ignition Lock

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DartIan

DartIan

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I recently went out to start up the dart and the key didnt go in. Upon further evaluation and some cussing i found out the tumblers in the ignition fell so imma make a thread on how to change the ignition lock. I know abodyjoe has a thread on Ignition switch. Locks a little easier and less steps required.

The car is 1974 dart auto on the column non tilt.

First remove Steering wheel pad/horn pad. unglug the wire on circuits and undo ground wire. Then remove steering wheel with tool. use the tool, dont be a fool.
 

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It should look like this. If all goes well. Remove the metal ring that hold the blinker switch and horn power.
 

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Now go under the column and remove the bracket holding up onto the dash. There should be a ground wire. dont lose it. This step is so you can push the wiring up into the column and get the blinker outta the way.
Ignore the blue. I put LEDs in my interior so it glows blue at night.
 

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now as previousely stated find the blinker wiring and push it up into the column. Only as much as you need to get it outta the way. pull plastic assembly out of the way.
 

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remove the C clip/retainer ring/a-hole ring/ whatever you wanna call it. I used needle nose pliers. They make special tools for these if you are having a tough time.
 

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Now pull off the cover exposing the lock wheel. Remove the screws from the lock set retainer so its outta the way of the pin a lil bit. You might get lucky and not have to.
 

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should be a little pin right next to the wheel. You dont have to stick your key in onto the on position or any of the nonsense. Just push the pin in and pull out the Ignition lock from the chrome piece! Da dada Daaaaaaaa there ya go. Its out. Stick the new one in and off you go! Hope this was helpful to some. When i looked for a thread on this i didnt find any. or i didnt look hard enough. Cheers :coffee2:
 

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I had to do that whole procedure on an old Mopar station wagon once, it was a PITA but I got it all working.
 
I did this tonight in a column I had out of the vehicle. One important thing to note here is YOU CAN'T pull the lock out with the key in the lock cylinder. I had the key in there and this little part was sticking out then I realized to take the key out. Figured id mention that as doing this in car for the first time these little things can really drive you nuts.


Also if its out of the car it can be done even easier. I didn't have to remove the snap ring because the shaft slid up enough to get some access in there. I left the wheel lock plate thingy on. Found a really small allen key and got it in there enough to release the lock cylinder.
 
And since you have it apart, leave the steering wheel lock out.

Has anyone gone a little further, and modified the auto shifter gate or whatever that needs to be done.

Some column shifters fly right by 2nd gear, if you know what I mean.

Nice write-up guys, pictures are everything.:burnout:
 
I once posted to a thread here, "Insert the key and rotate to on position so the release button will move."
My bad, That is the Ford proceedure.
They're all the same but different. The joy of being a used car mechanic. LOL
 
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