steering wheel lock

I just bought a 1988 Corolla GTS. Tried to start it the other day, but the key broke off in the ignition. After a while of being young, dumb, and stupid, my friend and I had succeeded in doing nothing more than breaking the ignition switch. Figured out how to hot-wire the car, but the steering wheel is locked. Removed the steering wheel, but could not find the locking mechanism. Is it in the ignition switch itself, or is it further down in the steering column. If anyone knows how I can get the pin out, it'd be a great help.

Is there any piece of the key that you can use to pull out the broken part with a pair of pliers?

Coincidence. Key also broke off in my 89 Corolla. I used broken key successfully for long time. But other day, it wouldn't turn anymore. I spent all weekend taking steering wheel and lock apart, getting key out, and putting back together. When done, everything was fine, but the steering wheel is free in the off position, and locked in the on position. No good. I'm baffled, because everything went back the way it came off and didn't seem to be any way to do it otherwise. I'm going to call Toyota tomorrow to try to get some free advice. I'll let you know if I learn anything.

Great - waiting to hear your tips

Figured everything out today. Here's what might be helpful for you. The lock is activated by a trigger on the right hand edge at the very back of the tube that holds the lock mechanism. It then runs across the bridge that connects the tube to the steering wheel.

To remove the lock mechanism, you have to turn the key to the on position, then press in a little button on the bottom outside of the tube. The button won't go in unless the key is turned to on. There is a white cap with many wires coming out at the back of the tube. It is held on by one screw that faces away from you when looking from the drivers seat in, but there is room to reach around to unscrew it. There is a funny shaped shaft that sits at the back of the tube and connects the white cap to the lock mechanism. That shaft has an irregular shape that holds the lock mechanism in check when the key is on, but lets it go when it is off. My mistake was the shaft somehow got turned 180 when I reassembled everything.

I don't know how much you broke and how much is still intact. If you pulled the lock mechanism out, you should identify the steering wheel lock trigger at the back of the tube and figure out what to stuff in there to keep it from activating. Let me know exactly what your situation is and I'll give more advice, if you need.

db

Hi db,

Thanks a lot for your update and tips