Steering Column Repair: LOCK CYLNDER REPAIR, honda prelude, 1989 honda prelude

Question
MY HUSBAND HAS A 1989 HONDA PRELUDE SI. THE KEY WE GOT WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR WORKED BUT ONCE YOU TURNED THE CAR ON YOU COULD PULL THE KEY OUT WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. WELL....I LOST THE KEY TO THE CAR SO WE WENT AND BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT LOCK CYLINDER. THE BOX SAYS THERE SHOULD BE INSTRUCTIONS BUT THERE ISN'T. HOW DO YOU GET THE OLD LOCK CYLINDER OUT WITHOUT HAVING A KEY THAT WILL TURN THAT LOCK CYLINDER OVER?

Answer

locking pin Hi Shelly:

Sorry about your car problem.
The only way to get the lock out easily is with a key that allows you to turn it to the ACC position so you can depress the locking pin.  You'll see it on the new cylinder so you will understand what I am talking about.

Without a key, the only way is to drill and chisel our the core of the cylinder so that pin will depress.  BE VERY CAREFUL not to damage the outer housing or drill too deep, otherwise you will be buying a complete lock housing.

Lastly, if that doesn't work, replacing the entire column is not too bad of a job.  As it is an older vehicle, you can probably pick up an entire column for $50.

I hope this helps
Good Luck
Doug