Original Key in Auto Door Lock Won't Turn

[pkreth]

The car in question is a '93 Pontiac Grand Am. The door lock is a very simple 1 sided lock and I tried to open it using a pair of auto jigglers I obtained. After I tried with the jigglers, the key does not turn the lock at all. I've tried looking into the lock to see if anything seems out of place, but I cannot really tell. The passenger door is now used to gain access to the vehicle using the original key.

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions about how to fix this? I was thinking of taking WD-40 and spraying it in the lock and working the key back and forth before resorting to pulling the cylinder out of the door (which I am not sure of a good method of doing so). Any tips you guys have for me would be greatly appreciated and if you think I need to remove the cylinder and rekey it, please give me advice on how to remove it.

BTW, the key still fits all the way into the lock and the keyway is not turned (which would indicate that some of the pins have been picked).


Thanks alot for your help!

[MacGyver101]

It sounds very much like you have bent at least one of the wafers, which is now preventing the key from properly operating the cylinder. If so, you may be able to bend the wafer back -- but the "right" solution is to remove the cylinder and replace the wafer. Unfortunately, I am not familiar enough with a '93 Grand Am to offer you any advice on removing the cylinder (even if that discussion were allowed here).

The biggest tip is, obviously, not to practice on in-use locks: as you've discovered, they're easy to damage in ways that are not immediately obvious to someone starting out. (I'm the first to admit that I've done dumb things to locks in my early days as well -- but a broken cylinder in your hand is far less of a problem then one in a locked door.)

[pkreth]

What is the best way to go about removing a cylinder from any auto? I have removed cylinders and rekeyed regular pin tumbler padlocks but I don't even know where to start with a car (other than removing the door panel).

[Wrenchman]

It's advanced you know, so I don't really see how we would be able to
help you!

Call a Locksmith or maybe you could go to your auto dealer!



Wrenchman

[freakparade3]

You will need to call a locksmith. Even after the lock is removed the wafers will likely need to be replaced. You need a special rekey kit to do it. This is why we always tell people not to pick locks in use. A cheaper option if you get the cylinder out would be to get a new one at an auto parts store. It will not match the other locks but it will be cheaper than a locksmith.

[Squelchtone]

What is the best way to go about removing a cylinder from any auto? I have removed cylinders and rekeyed regular pin tumbler padlocks but I don't even know where to start with a car (other than removing the door panel).

I dont think what I'm about to tell you is advanced. Not any more advanced than walking into the car parts store and buying a Chilton auto repair manual.

Remove the door panel, remove the black paper, get a flashlight and look for the white plastic thing with the metal rod clipped into it. unclip it carefully, it should rotate out of the way, then you will see that the lock cylinder is just kept in with a springy metal clip which hugs a groove in the cylinder from both sides. use a flat blade screwdriver to remove this clip, catch it so it doesnt fall into the bottom of the door, and then the lock cylinder should pull right out of the car.

Now take this cylinder and your car keys to the locksmith and tell them it no longer turns.

They'll remove the core, fix the bent wafer(s) and charge you something like $25 Before they do they work, ask at the counter how much it will be. and dont mention you were using jigglers.

This concludes todays lesson on not picking locks that we rely on.

good luck

Squelchtone

[muskratt]

This concludes todays lesson on not picking locks that we rely on.

wow i think thats the first lesson ive ever stayed awake through.

[Gelmar]

What kind of damage can you do to a pin tumbler by picking it?

[tecnovist]

you could go to the auto dismantalers and get some parts to fix the old cylinder ------or have fun trying ---

[freakparade3]

What kind of damage can you do to a pin tumbler by picking it?

You can damage the pins in the lock by not using proper or unsanded tools. Improper picking techniques like speed raking by a noob will damage pins. This can make the key no longer work. Also, the turning the plug past 180 degrees and getting it stuck happens alot. If this is a lock in use it can be a serious problem.

[linty]

i would definitely start with a lubricant (opinions vary widely here) something silicone based with teflon. Spray the lock and then run a rake along the bottom and then try the key again.

This is a sidebar lock so it's not particularily easy to bend the wafers but it can happen. There is always a chance that your locks are dirty and using the jigglers you just managed to push a wafer higher than it usually would go. Worst case scenario this doesn't help at all and you're back to taking your door panel off.

[RangerF150]

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!

[mojomojo]

For sure that you bended a wafer on this gm6-cut sidebar lock......Very common when jigglers are used on these types of locks...

[zsoutendijk]

does this 93 grand am have electronic locking?

the reason i ask is because most people use the electric lock and never use the key to unlock the door. this causes the keyway to get all rusty or w/e keyways do that prevent them from working

im assuming it does not because it is a 93 but you know what they say about assuming... then again maybey you dont!

hope i can help!

-Zack

plus... Wrenchman... i dont think this is advanced because it has nothing to do with opening the car, just with the lock itself then again... your the veteran here not me!