- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
I've noted that my Sierra's key (double-cut, non-passlock / no chip) has started hanging up on the upper side in the lock cylinder -- I'll try and turn the key forward, find it doesn't, then give a small jiggle to the key, whereupon I can feel resistance give, a little click, and the key then turns forward. No issues getting the key out, either before or after starting.
Obviously, I'd like to fix this while it's still in early stages, before I get to the point where the key won't turn at all.
The issue, for the uninitiated, is a set of two (2) pins, top and bottom, that lock once the key is turned back -- the underside of the plastic ring around the cylinder mechanism wears, and the pins get stuck / can't turn, as a result.
After looking online, it looks like replacing the lock cylinder will fix that issue, but will create a new one by default -- which is that the new cylinder comes with a new key. I want to keep my old one (actually, it and a few duplicates), and not have to carry two sets of keys (one for the doors / one for the ignition)
Thankfully, that can be done by recoding the lock - swap the pins from the old one, into the new. Found the video that shows how to do that.
My question -- anyone done this on their own? I'm willing to try, but I think I'd be better off having a locksmith do it. The pins don't worry me, but watching the tiny springs accidentally fly out, get lost, and not having a clue on how to recover from there, does worry me a bit.
Obviously, I'd like to fix this while it's still in early stages, before I get to the point where the key won't turn at all.
The issue, for the uninitiated, is a set of two (2) pins, top and bottom, that lock once the key is turned back -- the underside of the plastic ring around the cylinder mechanism wears, and the pins get stuck / can't turn, as a result.
After looking online, it looks like replacing the lock cylinder will fix that issue, but will create a new one by default -- which is that the new cylinder comes with a new key. I want to keep my old one (actually, it and a few duplicates), and not have to carry two sets of keys (one for the doors / one for the ignition)
Thankfully, that can be done by recoding the lock - swap the pins from the old one, into the new. Found the video that shows how to do that.
My question -- anyone done this on their own? I'm willing to try, but I think I'd be better off having a locksmith do it. The pins don't worry me, but watching the tiny springs accidentally fly out, get lost, and not having a clue on how to recover from there, does worry me a bit.