Looked like the rube I think I am...

[MSL]

Well maybe I should hold off a bit before I consider going into business.

I just pulled into my building and saw two people working on a car. They told me the key was broken. Immediately I thought, oh, what a perfect opportunity for me to get some experience! I offered to take a look at it, and I found that I was completely clueless.

The guy had just replaced the ignition in his older ford bronco earlier that day, the hole where he drilled was visible and I could see the pin. When he turned the key to start the car later the key spun around in the ignition switch about 90 degrees father than it should have and got stuck in the on position and wouldn't turn back. They had to disconnect the power to stop the engine. The pin wouldn't move to remove the ignition since the key was still in the on position.

It occurred to me that I didn't may nearly enough attention to the auto ignition part of the course I took, but I'm pretty sure that kind of thing wasn't even brought up.

Ended up just taking a dremel to it to get it out of the column and the guy was going to bring it back to the part shop. He seemed convinced that it was just a bad part.

With the info available, does it sound like a bad part? Is this something I should have been able to fix, or was this an unusual occurrence and simply ripping the thing out was the way to go? I should probably note that both guys seemed like they'd knocked a few back earlier so it may just be that they installed it wrong.

[GWiens2001]

My guess would be incorrect installation.

Gordon

[MSL]

Should I have been able to do something, you think, other than grind off the tip to pull it?

[GWiens2001]

Have seen the ignition switch get stuck if the lock cylinder is not installed correctly with a couple of the Ford models. Can't remember which models off the top of my head, but used to be a mechanic at a Ford dealership. Usually the problem seemed to occur when a customer tried to fix it themselves.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

Well maybe I should hold off a bit before I consider going into business.

I just pulled into my building and saw two people working on a car. They told me the key was broken. Immediately I thought, oh, what a perfect opportunity for me to get some experience! I offered to take a look at it, and I found that I was completely clueless.

The guy had just replaced the ignition in his older ford bronco earlier that day, the hole where he drilled was visible and I could see the pin. When he turned the key to start the car later the key spun around in the ignition switch about 90 degrees father than it should have and got stuck in the on position and wouldn't turn back. They had to disconnect the power to stop the engine. The pin wouldn't move to remove the ignition since the key was still in the on position.

It occurred to me that I didn't may nearly enough attention to the auto ignition part of the course I took, but I'm pretty sure that kind of thing wasn't even brought up.

Ended up just taking a dremel to it to get it out of the column and the guy was going to bring it back to the part shop. He seemed convinced that it was just a bad part.

With the info available, does it sound like a bad part? Is this something I should have been able to fix, or was this an unusual occurrence and simply ripping the thing out was the way to go? I should probably note that both guys seemed like they'd knocked a few back earlier so it may just be that they installed it wrong.

That sounds hysterical,
I bet the guy at the parts shop will just give him a brand new one, for no charge on account of him feeling bad, heh heh. It sounds kinda like they had turned the replacement part 180 degrees Before they installed it. Then when you tried turning it to On, the space for the pin to retract was 180 degrees away from where the switch was pointed. Last time I saw a guy do his own drilling on an older Ford ignition he wound up having to replace the steering column, after making the retainer hole wayy too big!
I have a special saying I like to bring out when these do-it-yourselfers come around and that is:
I don't work on basketcases, sorry but my liability insurance can't afford it.

[KPick]

Dang the whole steering column? I would of beat the heck out of the steering wheel thinking about that.

[MSL]

I'm at least getting the vibe from you guys that it wasn't just that I was too ignorant to fix the problem, but that the problem was not something that I'd normally receive on a call, rather the result of jackassery on the part of the customer.

[KPick]

No you're good MSL. We all encounter them "what the hell do I got to do with this" problems.

[GWiens2001]

Incorrect installation - the shape of the end of the lock cylinder is slightly keyed. If they forced it, then it jams.

You did good, MSL.

Gordon

[1mrchristopher]

Chin up. My very first auto unlock I went to (an 04 Jeep) I read the wafers, and then used the wrong card to cut the key, not realizing my error, I went back to reading, thinking I'd made a mistake. In the meantime they guys buddy showed up and used a crescent wrench to remove the antenna and then used the handle of the same wrench to reef on the door and jam the antenna down in to hit the unlock button. I didn't charge anything, and my only comfort has been that his passenger door has to have a nasty whistle now when he's cruising down the highway.

[cledry]

Chin up. My very first auto unlock I went to (an 04 Jeep) I read the wafers, and then used the wrong card to cut the key, not realizing my error, I went back to reading, thinking I'd made a mistake. In the meantime they guys buddy showed up and used a crescent wrench to remove the antenna and then used the handle of the same wrench to reef on the door and jam the antenna down in to hit the unlock button. I didn't charge anything, and my only comfort has been that his passenger door has to have a nasty whistle now when he's cruising down the highway.

Those things pick so easy why make more work for yourself.

[cledry]

Chin up. My very first auto unlock I went to (an 04 Jeep) I read the wafers, and then used the wrong card to cut the key, not realizing my error, I went back to reading, thinking I'd made a mistake. In the meantime they guys buddy showed up and used a crescent wrench to remove the antenna and then used the handle of the same wrench to reef on the door and jam the antenna down in to hit the unlock button. I didn't charge anything, and my only comfort has been that his passenger door has to have a nasty whistle now when he's cruising down the highway.

One other policy I have. If someone else is trying to open the vehicle I walk away from the job. I know I lose money when this happens, but usually the customer will tell their friend, bystander to stop and let me get on with it.

[1mrchristopher]

One other policy I have. If someone else is trying to open the vehicle I walk away from the job. I know I lose money when this happens, but usually the customer will tell their friend, bystander to stop and let me get on with it.

I should have simply left when they started up. I was using a BTR reader, and prior to his buddy showing up, he was on the other side of the vehicle, literally pounding on it in frustration. Twice I had to stop, and look up at him. I should have told him to stand back from the vehicle.

Those things pick so easy why make more work for yourself.

Inexperience would seem to be the most honest answer.

[billdeserthills]

One other policy I have. If someone else is trying to open the vehicle I walk away from the job. I know I lose money when this happens, but usually the customer will tell their friend, bystander to stop and let me get on with it.

I should have simply left when they started up. I was using a BTR reader, and prior to his buddy showing up, he was on the other side of the vehicle, literally pounding on it in frustration. Twice I had to stop, and look up at him. I should have told him to stand back from the vehicle.

Those things pick so easy why make more work for yourself.

Inexperience would seem to be the most honest answer.

I used to file a lien on people who refused to pay me for services rendered, but now I just walk away and I try to shake my head a little, from side to side, as I go. I got tired of all the stress required of me when I care too much. I think You did good, just leaving them alone mrchristopher

[KPick]

One other policy I have. If someone else is trying to open the vehicle I walk away from the job. I know I lose money when this happens, but usually the customer will tell their friend, bystander to stop and let me get on with it.

I should have simply left when they started up. I was using a BTR reader, and prior to his buddy showing up, he was on the other side of the vehicle, literally pounding on it in frustration. Twice I had to stop, and look up at him. I should have told him to stand back from the vehicle.

Those things pick so easy why make more work for yourself.

Inexperience would seem to be the most honest answer.

I used to file a lien on people who refused to pay me for services rendered, but now I just walk away and I try to shake my head a little, from side to side, as I go. I got tired of all the stress required of me when I care too much. I think You did good, just leaving them alone mrchristopher

You don't do what most lock smiths do? Lock the lock back up and walk away?