Time-sensitive advice requested! -- Ignition/key slot replacement

**raijin-xiii** · 08-28-2011, 11:44 AM

EDIT: This is for a 1999 Subaru Impreza

Hey guys, long story short but half of my key is in my ignition and the other half won't turn the cylinder to start the car or anything. I had to get it towed to a local CAA shop where they said they'd fix it tomorrow (being today now...they're closed today...fail).

The silver lining about this is that during this extra day of waiting, maybe someone might know something about changing the key slot/cylinder thing and I won't get gouged by a shop; if I can do this on my own I'd really appreciate saving what I'm guessing is a lot of money.

My friend said she had her brother's Jeep's replaced by getting a new cylinder at Partsource but I just called around and can't find any for my poor Subaru.

Does anyone have some kind of advice for this sort of issue? Is it reasonably easy to swap out the key slot? Should I try a wrecker yard for one or call up a locksmith to do something? Or should I just let CAA's garage do their thing. They did offer me a 10% discount (yay?)...

Does anyone have some kind of idea? Any opinions would be much appreciated. I'd like to know what I'm doing by tomorrow so I can tell them whether or not to go ahead and fix it. If you need any more details just ask.

Thanks guys.

**rolyaT** · 08-28-2011, 12:22 PM

Well in most cars (not to familiar with subies) you can actually just change the tumbler out which requires taking the plastic cover off behind your steering wheel and removing the tumbler out of the steering lock mechanism. It can sometimes be a bitch to do (not all the time) and ull need two separate keys now, one for door and one for ignition. personally having 1 key for both is worth it in my mind to let them do their thing. Mind you I have no idea what they charge for that kind of service. Also since ur cars already at a shop, kinda pointless to tow it out to another place to work on it now. Personally let them do there thing as long as they don't **** ya on the price

**rolyaT** · 08-28-2011, 12:24 PM

Another idea is look on google for changing "yr" subaru tumbler gives you idea how hard and what it may cost

**judasentinel** · 08-28-2011, 01:22 PM

It is likely that CAA would replace the cylinder, unless they have some specialized tools to simply remove the broken piece of key. I feel the best thing to do (considering it is a Sunday) is call them up when they are available, and find out if they intend to replace it or just take the key out. Im sure replacement would cost more than just taking the key out, so in the mean time, you can call Standard Auto Wreckers today (they are open today as far as I know) and find out if they have the part you need or if they are likely to have the same Sooby model in their yard. If they do, you can visit them. They are at Markham and Steeles area, around 3 miles east of Markham Road, off of Steeles Ave. in Toronto/Scarborough.

If by tomorrow you know CAA is looking for a replacement cylinder or whatever, you can perhaps get it for them from Standard Auto Wreckers. Their number is 416-286-8686 and their address is 1216 Sewelles Rd, Toronto, ON, M1X 1S1.

Is it also possible to find a replacement part on any local Subaru forum?

Could a pair of narrow needle-nose pliers work to pull it out if it visible and you can find a crevice/wiggle room around the broken piece?

How about putting Super Glue mixed with sand on the piece of key in your hand and then pushing it into the cylinder until it touches the broken key piece, waiting for a few minutes until it binds to it and then pull it out gently? The risk is that super glue might seep into the cylinder and jam the whole thing, but then it might not.

Another thing you can do is look up the replacement of key/ignition cylinder on the web forum for Imprezas. I am fairly certain that there is a way from the inside to push it out...that is, if the key has not gotten twisted inside at the broken end.

All the best,

Munib

**BRN32** · 08-29-2011, 01:50 AM

It may be possible to remove the tumbler from the barrel and get the broken piece out.

**raijin-xiii** · 08-30-2011, 01:12 AM

CAA apparently tried to get the key out and failed. They want about $630 to replace it. Now they can't even get the cylinder until Wednesday so I have until then to figure something out. I'm trying a locksmith in the morning.

**raijin-xiii** · 08-30-2011, 05:39 PM

CAA already had the cylinder out so I picked it up. Locksmith is gonna take they piece out for $35 in the morning lol.

Thanks for all of the input everyone