85 FJ60 - How To Replace Ignition Switch? (1 Viewer)

[NMC_EXP]

My 85 FJ60 has a total failure of the steering / ignition switch interlock. Steering wheel is totally locked and key will not turn. For 20 min. I yanked the steering wheel side to side but no joy.

Toyota dealer says switch is NLA so I ordered one from Parts Geek, here soon.

I've never been inside a steering column and any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Jim

 

[dmjay]

My 85 FJ60 has a total failure of the steering / ignition switch interlock. Steering wheel is totally locked and key will not turn. For 20 min. I yanked the steering wheel side to side but no joy.

Toyota dealer says switch is NLA so I ordered one from Parts Geek, here soon.

I've never been inside a steering column and any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Jim

If you do a search you should find a few posts on this procedure.
Good luck with it, not a hard job.

 

[NMC_EXP]

I ran a search here and got my original post and your reply.

 

[Spike Strip]

If you mean the Key switch, you normally turn the key to acc, then there's a small hole on the bottom of the cylinder. Stick a small nail or whatever in there and push, then pull the cylinder.

But if yours is locked, it probably means the pins have broken.

Be aware, the Electronic Ignition switch part behind the Key cylinder can also lock up and keep the key from turning. That's rare though.

This video is for an FJ62 and it's the same but the hole is to the right, near the lip of the cylinder

www.vintageteqparts.com

 

[NMC_EXP]

If you mean the Key switch, you normally turn the key to acc, then there's a small hole on the bottom of the cylinder. Stick a small nail or whatever in there and push, then pull the cylinder.

But if yours is locked, it probably means the pins have broken.

Be aware, the Electronic Ignition switch part behind the Key cylinder can also lock up and keep the key from turning. That's rare though.

This video is for an FJ62 and it's the same but the hole is to the right, near the lip of the cylinder

Many thanks for that.

Q: "But if yours is locked, it probably means the pins have broken."

I cannot turn it to ACC. When you say pins are broken doe you mean inside the ignition switch tumbler or the pins in the steering wheel lock itself.

Thanks again.

Jim

 

[Spike Strip]

Many thanks for that.

Q: "But if yours is locked, it probably means the pins have broken."

I cannot turn it to ACC. When you say pins are broken doe you mean inside the ignition switch tumbler or the pins in the steering wheel lock itself.

Thanks again.

Jim

Pins in the tumbler.

You most likely will then have to drill out the locking tab, that gets pushed, in the video above.

When the cylinder is turned to ACC, it rotates to an opening that the lock tab pin can be depressed into. If cylinder won't turn, use an appropriate-sized drill bit to disable the tab. Then pull the cylinder out. It's not much, maybe 1/8" or so? It's visible in the video. Also, you will see it on your replacement lock so that should show what needs to be drilled.

FWIW, I had one that was broken like yours and I just stuck a flat metal nail file in and giggled it for a while and the lock turned, and I was able to then remove. It's worth a try.

Good luck.

 

[NMC_EXP]

Mny thanks. If I am not to crippled I'll give it a try.

Jim

 

[NMC_EXP]

I contacted the only tow truck driver in Raton NM (which is an economically depressed backwater) about hauling the Cruiser over Raton Pass to the Toyota Dealer in Trinidad CO. He asked if he could come and do an inspecction - sure I said.

I gave him the key, he climbed in and within 5 minutes he had the ignition switch turning.

The last time I tried I was in the cab for at least 20 Min. Cranking the wheel and damn near breaking off the key (no patience). He did it in 5 min with no godzilla moves like me. Go figure.

I had already bought a new ignition tumbler. He turned the key to acc, inserted a straight paper clip in the hole, slid out the original tumbler, inserted the new one and the Cruiser was good to go.

How embarassing.

Stay tuned - I'm going to sell this fully tricked out FJ60.

Jim

 

[Spike Strip]

Glad you got it going.

I drove through and had lunch and dinner in Raton, NM many years ago, heading down to Sante Fe. Beautiful, small old town, from what I remember.