Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Broken key in the ignition, buick park ave, broken key

Question
My daughter's key broke off in the ignition of her 1989 Buick Park Ave. What options (cheap) do I have as far as fixing this problem? (She doesn't have another key and there is still a piece if key in the ignition.)

Answer
Hello Terry,
A locksmith might be able to use some of his small tools and get the piece out.
Or you can try using the broken key and see if it will work.
Or you can replace the tumbler/lock mechanism. That isn't the ignition switch. The switch is down on top of the steering column, above the brake pedal, and operated by a rod.
I will send a link that says for repairing a tilt column, but that lock mechanism needs to be removed to do the repair, and the link gives a real good step-by-step with pictures.

www.gnttype.org/techarea/suspension/t_steering.html

www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html

Good luck,
Van