Replacing Ignition Lock Cylinder w/ Stuck Key

There's a bunch of threads and info on replacing the lock cylinder and they all say you need to put the car in ACC mode to remove the cylinder. That isn't going to happen, its stuck hard between OFF and ACC. I have a new OEM cylinder on order. The GM service manual has instructions which involve removing most of the dashboard trim and the steering wheel and column. Argh. One post said it was possible with the column in place and I'd really like to find more info on that. Can anyone assist?

For future reference, the TSB is BULLETIN NO.: 95-T-20
SUBJECT:
Ignition Key Cannot Be Removed from Ignition Lock Cylinder (Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder, Tumblers and Springs, and Cut New Keys)
MODELS AFFECTED:
1994 Saturns with VINs between RZ205000 and RZ240000
(and I think this was a problem across a lot of years and models)

 

Can you remove he key from the ignition?

 

No. It's between LOCK(OFF) and ACC. Stuck there, won't turn, key in ignition.

 

Puff some graphite powder in along the edges of the key all the way around the key. Try to work the key and the steering wheel gently in both directions.

Concentrate on getting the key to rotate counter clockwise but working in both directions.

Keep working the graphite powder in. It will take a while to find its way down to where it is bound up so some patience is required. It won't look like you're getting anything in there but that little bit it does is what you need. Don't snap the key off.

Also, push in on the key while trying to turn it in both directions while you are doing this. I'm assuming the key got stuck while you were rotating it from on to off. If that is the case, again, your goal is to get the key counterclockwise to the off position to remove it.

 

Thanks. I'll give that a try when I get back home this weekend. I'll try to get it into ACC, since that's how you remove the cylinder and I should have the new one by then.

 

My mid 90s s cars always required me to remove the key entirely and have the little cover door slide and cover the keyhole when the key was removed. I couldn't get it to crank clockwise again unless it was still in the on position.

If I started to rotate it backwards, I had to take the key completely out and put it completely back in.

Every once in a blue moon, my key would stick exactly as yours is and I always found that ultimately it had to be worked back counterclockwise to the off position and the key removed. Meaning it would not crank clockwise once stuck. You can rock it in both directions but you need to get it to the off position to get the key out, then really lube it up with graphite, then put it to accessory