OEM 2000 Dodge Dakota Ignition Lock Cylinder

2000 Dodge Dakota Ignition Lock Cylinder Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair an Ignition Lock Cylinder on 2000 Dodge Dakota?

  A: You should start by disconnecting the negative cable from the battery for ignition lock cylinder repairs. Should the vehicle have a tilt column, release the tilt lever by turning it counterclockwise. Take off both covers from the top and bottom of the steering column. With cars that have automatic transmission, let the shifter rest in the Park position. Locate the side retaining pin in the assembly, take the key to the Run position and gently press in on that pin while carefully pulling out the key cylinder. In case you are just replacing the ignition key lock cylinder, go to the following steps. Turn the flag on the ignition switch to Run which allows the key's tang to line up with the trip slots in the switch. Turn the ignition key to the left until the retaining pin is available to depress and then slide the retaining pin into the retaining pin hole and push the key cylinder all the way into the switch until the pin fits. Once you've replaced the cylinder, turn the key to Off or Lock, then try to remove the cylinder by pulling it out of the switch. Then, if your vehicle is automatic, place the transmission shifter in Park and line up the indexed end of your park lock dowel pin with the park lock linkage on the rear of the ignition switch before joining them together. Andrew must be sure to line up the flag at the ignition switch with the steering column to unlock the steering wheel. Turn the ignition switch to the Lock position and see that the column lock flag is lined up with the terminals on the ignition switch. Use a thin amount of grease on both the park lock dowel pin and the slider linkage, moving the slider all the way in and then only pulling it back about one-quarter inch. Oil the lock flag and the shaft and push the ignition switch into the openings on the column lock until the park lock dowel pin fits its slot in the slider and the flag is above the steering wheel lock lever. Place the rear dowels of the switch in their appropriate holes on the steering column and tighten the three ignition mounting screws to about 17 in. lbs. torque. After putting in the ignition switch, turn the ignition key from the Lock position to the On position and make sure the park lock slider moves out of the way so you can take the gear-shift lever out of Park. If the slider does not work, take out and install the ignition switch again. Attach the connectors from the ignition switch to the terminal of the ignition switch, the halo lamp and to "Prndl," and make sure the locking tabs are fully set. Put the steering column covers on, use 2 Nm (17 in. lbs.) torque and if a tilt column lever is available, install it last. Make sure the halo light works properly and that the shifter stays in Park with the key in the Lock position and moves out of Park when the key is rotated to the On position. Perform a check in each of these positions: Accessory, Lock, Off, On, Run and Start, as well as ensure that turning the key locks the steering wheel and unlocks it once turned to the On position.