Rep Power: 0

Ok so heres the deal. my 99 civic sedan's ignition tumbler wont turn. It also refuses to come out the easy way, pin on top and sliding it out. Im currently at school about to graduate and go back home for good(300 miles away), and the cut off bolts holding everything to the steering column is proving to be a bitch due to my lack of tools, and i need to get it going before i leave.

The steering lock isnt activated, so my last ditch effort idea is to hotwire it. (I own the car). before I try that I wanted to confirm my method as to not fry anything in the process.

I was going to take a wire directly to the + terminal of the battery, and then touch it to the white and black wire in the ignition, which from electrical charts <i>should</i> be the wire to the starter motor. Wondering if anyone had any opinion on this besides obviously try to get the tumbler out properly, cause ive tried for a while. Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 203

Have you tried another key for the ignition?

I had a weird one the other day. The key a use all the time would not turn the ignition no matter how much I played around with it. So I tried another ignition key and bam turned like butter. So I tried the original again and still no go. Now a day later the original key works just fine. Worth a shot if you've got a spare kicking around.

EDIT: and no I don't know how to hot wire this car...but the last time I did that I still had to bust the lock pin to make the wheel turn which is super dangerous because it can float around and jam your steering at any random time, trust me I do know that.

 
Rep Power: 517

Pull the switch barrel out of the lock assembly, then use a screwdriver to turn the switch.



Turn the steering wheel ALL the way around before you think it isn't locked. You don't need for it to lock as you try to maneuver through a corner.

 
Rep Power: 517

You have to get the assembly off of the column before you can get the cylinder out of the lock housing. AND you really need to get this off so the column lock cannot engage.


Long, sharp center punch and hammer, punch near the edges of the breakaway bolts counterclockwise to get them to turn out.

 
Rep Power: 0

well you shouldnt have to take it off the column ive seen videos showing that, and the steering wheel lock is not on as stated originally, but i do appreciate imput, probably just going to fix it properly

 
Rep Power: 517

Oops, sorry. Been too long.
I guess I'm too used to newer versions, and all of the locks that now use sidewinder keys.