MY TUMBLER DOESN'T WORK, HOW TO CHANGE IT--1991 CIVIC SI
 

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this and am just looking for a few answers. My friend drove my
1991 Honda Civic Si to the store and he couldn't get the key to turn and
start the car. So I took apart the back plastic piece with the conectors
and used a screwdriver to start my car and drove it home. Well now the
problem is that the steering wheel is locked and I had to drive holding
the key on while shifting (not very fun). Well I ripped apart the tumbler
and now my question is how do I replace it so it's not ghetto?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Eliz

MY TUMBLER DOESN'T WORK, HOW TO CHANGE IT--1991 CIVIC SI
 

"Elizherrera" > wrote in
lkaboutautos.com:

> Hi everyone,
> I'm new to this and am just looking for a few answers. My friend
> drove my 1991 Honda Civic Si to the store and he couldn't get the key
> to turn and start the car. So I took apart the back plastic piece with
> the conectors and used a screwdriver to start my car and drove it
> home. Well now the problem is that the steering wheel is locked and I
> had to drive holding the key on while shifting (not very fun). Well I
> ripped apart the tumbler and now my question is how do I replace it so
> it's not ghetto? Any help would be appreciated.
> Thanks,



What do you mean "ripped apart"? Please be more specific, using terms and
phraseology that are more precise.

It is very easy to remove the lock cylinder from its housing. Have you done
this?

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

MY TUMBLER DOESN'T WORK, HOW TO CHANGE IT--1991 CIVIC SI
 

I'm sorry I dont know all the precise terms I'm not a mechanic, I'm a
nurse. It is the cylinder that I tried to rip out to get the steering
wheel to unlock. I've seen my brother remove the part from the houseing
and it looked easy but for some reason I couldn't get it. Out of
frustration I just got a hammer and ripped it up until it uplocked. I
needed to be able to drive the car to work. I'm just trying to figure
out how to replace the piece that the key goes in a turn and how. Thank
you for the response
Eliz

MY TUMBLER DOESN'T WORK, HOW TO CHANGE IT--1991 CIVIC SI
 

"Elizherrera" > wrote in
lkaboutautos.com:

> I'm sorry I dont know all the precise terms I'm not a mechanic, I'm a
> nurse. It is the cylinder that I tried to rip out to get the steering
> wheel to unlock. I've seen my brother remove the part from the houseing
> and it looked easy but for some reason I couldn't get it. Out of
> frustration I just got a hammer and ripped it up until it uplocked. I
> needed to be able to drive the car to work. I'm just trying to figure
> out how to replace the piece that the key goes in a turn and how. Thank
> you for the response
>



Let me be a bit more precise in simple terms.

When you insert the key into the lock, you are actually inserting it into
the "lock cylinder", or "tumbler" if you will.

When you TURN the key, you are rotating the entire "tumbler" inside its
"lock housing", which remains stationary and is fixed to the structure
behind the steering wheel.

At the back of the "lock housing" (other end from the key slot) is the
"ignition switch", which has an electrical plug stuck in it.

Now. In order for me to make any sense of what you're saying, I need you to
repost your question, referring to the parts on your car by the terms I
give above. This way, we are talking the same language.




--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

MY TUMBLER DOESN'T WORK, HOW TO CHANGE IT--1991 CIVIC SI
 

Elizherrera wrote:
> I'm sorry I dont know all the precise terms I'm not a mechanic, I'm a
> nurse. It is the cylinder that I tried to rip out to get the steering
> wheel to unlock. I've seen my brother remove the part from the houseing
> and it looked easy but for some reason I couldn't get it. Out of
> frustration I just got a hammer and ripped it up until it uplocked.

you're lucky to be alive. or more importantly, people you're on the
road with are lucky to be alive. improperly disassembled steering
locks, what you're messing with, have a nasty habit of locking while
driving - that means you're on the interstate and suddenly you can't
steer away from the oncoming semi, just in case you can't figure out
consequences for yourself.

bottom line:

1. DO NOT mess with this vehicle any more - find someone that knows what
they're doing and get the lock replaced properly.

2. DO NOT drive vehicle until this has been done.

very very dangerous.

> I
> needed to be able to drive the car to work. I'm just trying to figure
> out how to replace the piece that the key goes in a turn and how. Thank
> you for the response
> Eliz
>

MY TUMBLER DOESN'T WORK, HOW TO CHANGE IT--1991 CIVIC SI
 

Thank you, I'll take it to someone who can fix it correctly.
Eliz :)