Sounds as though you have something stuck in the keyway. You can try taking a coping saw blade, break the end off, and slide it into the keyway with the teeth pointing back at you. It's small enough that it can slide in and grab anything that might be stuck. If that doesn't work, you'll have to remove the lock, and you'll need some professional advice for that one.
It depends on if it is a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder. If you do the leg work to remove the head(s) and take them to an engine shop it should be no more than $250 per head. I just had my 4 cylinder done for $215. Expect to pay much more if you cannot remove and re-install the head yourself. $65+ an hour for a mechanic to remove and install the heads.
Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the steering wheel. Turn off windshield wiper and disconnect the wiring. Insert the key into the cognition and turn the switch to a locked position. Depress the retaining pin and remove the cylinder. Enter the old cylinder into the new ignition.
Remove the retaining ring, from the top of your 1997 Ford Astro ignition lock cylinder. Remove the wiring harness from the back of the ignition lock cylinder.
MORE DETAIL The ignition switch turns just enough to release the steering lock, but not as far as the Accessory position. The following link illustrates the problem. http://evansweb.info/articles/2003/01/19/removing-the-ignition-lock-barrel The cylinder does not turn far enough to use this removal method. Drill a small hole at 3 o'clock on the tumbler and drive a small finishing nail in to release the tumbler.
Try the Torx bits onto the studs till you find the one that fits securely. Seems simple enough to me.
Remove the retaining ring from the top of your 1997 Chevrolet 1500 ignition cylinder. Slide the ignition cylinder out and remove the wiring harness.
I have a 2000 Ranger, and on mine the lens is made of plastic. To remove it, I squeeze the lens just enough so that the tabs will snap out.
follow the top radiator hose to the engine, remove it then remove the thermostat housing, remove the thermostat and replace it
Remove the 2 screws holding the plastic housing around the steering wheel. Remove the top part of the housing; pull down the bottom part as it does NOT come off. Set your ignition to the RUN position. Push in the tab on the underside of the lock cylinder and pull out the old cylinder. Get your new cylinder & set it to the RUN position (or at least out of the LOCK position). Slide your new cylinder in the way the old one came out. Make sure it locks in correctly.
Remove the covers to the steering column, then use a small screw driver and push in tab on bottom of cylinder with key in run position and pull out.
There will be a pin on the front bottom of the cylinder housing. Turn the key to the on position then push the pin in and pull the cylinder out.
remove the rear brakes, then remove the brake line to cylinder. remove the bolt holding cylinder on. then pull out wheel cylinder. to install cylinder, position it in place, put bolt back in cylinder to hold it. hook back up the brake line then put the brake shoes back on. when done bleed the system if need be.
If you need to replace the slave cylinder it is located in the bell housing and the trans has to be removed. The clutch master cylinder is located on the firewall on the drivers side
if it is the ignition lock cylinder, first disconnect the battery, you need to remove the steering wheel ,turn signal switch , etc, then you need to insert the ignition key into the lock cylinder, turn it to the run position,then pull the cylinder out, reverse the operation to install the cylinder,
The hydraulic clutch slave cylinder is located on the mainshaft of the trans. You must remove the trans to get to it
yes you do have to remove lock cylinder:first turn it to the off position and then under column is a hole.Take a pick or coathanger ,bend it straight to go inside hole and press against cylinder release button and pull cylinder out
There are two (2) torque screws that hold the cylinder itself onto the car. Remove both and the cylinder should fall out. (this is the hard way) Remove one (1) Torque screw, bottom. Then turn the key to the ON position (not running) and then press the tab that holds the cylinder in and the cylinder itself should fall out. (this is the easy way)