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Ignition Cylinder help, Thiefs tried to steal my car

12K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Blacklisted  
#1 · (Edited)
Soo...
My 1999 JDM Subaru WRX was broken into and the thief tried to steal the car and failed. They broke the ignition switch pretty bad (also popped out) and cause my steering to lock. I cannot stick a key or flat head screw driver to unlock the steering column.

My question now is what to do? Also, If I were to get my hands on a 1999 Subaru USDM 2.5rs steering column, would it be a exact swap without any issues?

I posted this on ''Interior & AV'' also but idk if it belongs there.

Thanks for the help in advanced.

Screenshot by Lightshot

Screenshot by Lightshot
Here are some pictures I took today. Would changing the ignition cylinder work? USDM to JDM

Update:
Soo i finally got time to take apart some more things on the car.
I took the starter switch out of the ignition lock to try to start up the car, but it did not work. There is electricity in the car, but the dash does not light up. But there is a constant beeping noise like when you have you key in the ignition with the doors open. Seems like the turbo timer has been cut and stolen, soo I attached the two blue wires underneath the car and tried to start the car once again, but nothing happened.

some pictures
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot
503 Service Temporarily Unavailable
http://prnt.sc/eekt91
http://prntscr.com/eekvkq
http://prntscr.com/eekw82
http://prntscr.com/eekwft

could it be a starter relay? Do i have to get a ignition lock in order for me to start up my car?

And thank you for all the comments you guys.
 
#2 ·
I wouldn't be surprised if the steering columns swapped. I'd start by pulling the steering wheel and then removing the remaining parts of the ignition cylinder the proper way. Something is probably just jammed up in there.

Also if you post in the wrong forum one of the mods will move it for ya. This site doesn't see a whole lot of traffic and wherever you put a thread it will be seen so there's no need to post in multiple sections of the forum.
 
#3 ·
Yeah, best bet is start taking some of the busted parts off. I have found that sometimes the wheel gets locked a bit "hard" and it takes some muscle to rotate it enough to get the key (or screw driver) to turn.
 
#5 ·
You can swap to a different steering rack but the key will obviously be different than your doors/trunk. I don't know 100% if the LHD rack will swap to RHD but in theory it should be the same. It's a pain in the ass to swap columns, especially if the wheel won't turn at all. The annoying part is getting the firewall piece to go back in, otherwise the steering wheel will be wobbly. I would start by taking the steering wheel off and then try to break the ignition cylinder itself from the column
 
#7 ·
Might not be an option for you but a few weeks ago I lost my keys in the snow and was in a similar position.

So my cheap-ass ended up drilling out the pressed ignition pins and tossing it all in the garbage. I start my car with a knife right now?... but I have plans to relocate the ignition switch and make it a push button start with a kill switch under the dash in case of thiefs.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
#8 · (Edited)
I'm actually doing this on my car. Theives actually nabbed my car via a flatbed out of my work parking lot. Took it to a private spot and spent a good amount of time with a dremel tool getting the cylinder out. Guess they don't know what a dent puller is.

Anyway, pick up a 04 Sti lock cylinder or one of your choice. Going outside your generation you'll most likely be rocking two keys. Repin the plug to fit your harness as it shouldn't take you more than half an hour to swap plugs. I just used the 96 Impreza plug and had the books for both models and changed the wire positions to match my harness. I wanted the Sti key and swanky light up ring. Still trying to figure that out without cutting up my harness. Want it plug and play so I'll take my time.

Speaking of taking your time. Be careful on drilling out the cap bolts. I munched two before I got it right. Snap bolts are $8 at the dealer. Whole job takes about 2-3 hours all told. Easy cheesy. From what I've seen, you'll need to visit a locksmith either way. Two keys isn't a big deal if you have keyless entry. I don't but will soon.

Oh yeah, you can get pin pick tools off of amazon. They're handy and you won't have to crimp or strip any wire. Just depin the plug on both, read up on new wire positions and clip them in by sliding them in until they click. Easy and factory.
 
#9 ·
Jdmgary has a steering column for cheap and you can use that and all you'll need is to swap plugs and buy some new snap bolts which are super cheap at the dealer. I'm sure some folks would help out with the surround to change out your munched one. Gary might even have one. I doubt rhd and lhd ignitions are any different. They break identical to each other. Drill out the old snap bolts and your column will be fine. Just jammed up.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Update:
Soo i finally got time to take apart some more things on the car.
I took the starter switch out of the ignition lock to try to start up the car, but it did not work. There is electricity in the car, but the dash does not light up. But there is a constant beeping noise like when you have you key in the ignition with the doors open. Seems like the turbo timer has been cut and stolen, soo I attached the two blue wires underneath the car and tried to start the car once again, but nothing happened.

some pictures
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot
503 Service Temporarily Unavailable
503 Service Temporarily Unavailable
Screenshot by Lightshot
http://prntscr.com/eekw82
http://prntscr.com/eekwft

could it be a starter relay? Do i have to get a ignition lock in order for me to start up my car?

And thank you for all the comments you guys.