QuestionQUESTION: Okay....so , I went to the truck (2000 Chevy Silverado)and couln't get the key to turn in the ignition. So a friend of ours told us to drill out the Tumbler and do it manually. So we did. Now what I need to know (Becouse we are so poor right now) is how to connect the wires so that we can start it.....I guess one could say Hotwiring it. I know it is legal to hotwire your own car becouse I contacted someone and they let me know that I could. Can you help, I have very important things to do in the morning and have no clue on how I am going to get around.
GM Passlock system
ANSWER: Hi Tracy:
Sorry to hear about your truck. As far as I know, you can do whatever you want to your own truck and it's legal. The problem you are facing though, is not a 'hotwire' problem. It's an anti-theft design built into your truck. The lock you just drilled out has a magnet that needs to rotate past a sensor inside the lock housing, otherwise it will never start. It will start and stall. This magnet-sensor system controls a fuel shutoff system to prevent a thief from doing exactly what you did. Works great, huh?
If you drilled the lock cleanly, you can buy another lock cylinder for your truck and simply slide it in and it will start. If however you damaged the wires or sensor in the picture, you are looking at about $300 damage before this truck will run again.
I'm sorry
I hope this helps you (somewhat)
Good luck
Doug
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey there Doug.....so I have read what you are telling me. I looked at the picture and the wires are not damaged and where do I see if the sensor was damaged? I don't know where that is to even look.
GM Passlock cylinder
ANSWER: Hi Tracy
If you look inside the cylinder sleeve (where the lock came out), you will be able to see and feel with your finger, the ceramic sensor just under the wire connector and inside the housing. If it feels smooth and undamaged, a new cylinder will be able to slide in, rotate & activate that system without any problem.
Here is a picture of the cylinder
D
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: So what I did was ordered another Ignition. If I did damage the magnet , the new one will have another one in it right?
AnswerTracy:
Did you get all the pieces out of the housing, or is some of the old lock cylinder still in there? If there is still some of the old lock in the housing, you will need to get it all out. There should be a smooth, clean hole for the new lock to slide in when you are done.
Next, if you order a new ignition switch, you will get an electrical part. That's not what you want. You want to ask for a new "Ignition Lock Cylinder, with keys". The dealer only sells them uncoded which means they will have to build one to fit your key, but some parts stores sell aftermarket ones that come with new keys already made. They'll just be different than what you have so you will have 2 keys (one for the door & a new one for the ignition)
D
