OEM 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Ignition Lock Cylinder

2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Ignition Lock Cylinder Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Install an Ignition Lock Cylinder on 2000 Dodge Ram 3500?

  A: Before removing the ignition lock cylinder, place the key in the key cylinder, disconnect the negative cable from the battery and for tilt columns, turn the tilt lever counterclockwise to remove it. Next, remove the two covers of the steering column and if the car is automatic, make sure the shifter is in Park. A retaining pin is found on the side of the key cylinder assembly; turn the key to Run, push the pin down and release the key cylinder. For the ignition key lock cylinder installation alone, move to the following steps. Turn the flag on the ignition lock cylinder at the back to Run so that the key will fit into the ignition. After the key is in the ignition cylinder, twist the ignition so the pin comes down and then put the cylinder into the switch by inserting the pin into its corresponding slot and moving it in until it sits properly. After engaging the switch, flip the key to Off or Lock and see if the cylinder stays firmly inside. Before installing the ignition lock cylinder in a vehicle with automatic transmission, be sure the shift lever is in Park and the rear security pin on the ignition fits perfectly into the park lock linkage. Pull the flag at the ignition switch's rear into the steering column before you can use the steering wheel lock lever. Position the ignition lock cylinder in the Lock mode while making the column lock flag travel parallel to the ignition terminals. Rub light grease on both the dowel pin and the park lock slider linkage, push the linkage forward so that it sits at the bottom point and pull it backward about a quarter of an inch. Put grease into the column lock flag and on the shaft at its end, then slide the ignition lock cylinder into the steering column, with the park lock dowel pin in the slot of the park lock slider and the flag above the steering wheel lock lever. Place the rear dowel pins inside the holes on the steering column and screw the three rings holding the switch to 2 Nm ± 0.5 Nm (17 in. lbs. ± 5 in. lbs). Following installation of the ignition lock cylinder, try rotating the ignition key from Lock to On, checking if the park lock moves as needed to let the gear shift lever exit Park. If you can't move the slider and the gear lever is locked in Park, the dowel pin in the slot of the park lock slider linkage has not been inserted properly and you must remove and reinstall the ignition lock cylinder. After inserting the connectors into the ignition lock cylinder and halo lamp, fully seat the locking tabs within the wiring connectors. Put on the steering column covers, fasten screws to 2 Nm (17 in. lbs.), assemble the tilt column lever when it's available, attach the battery negative terminal wire and see if the halo light illuminates correctly. When the key is in Lock, the car should be locked into Park; then, when you rotate the key to On, Park will unlock. In the end, test that the ignition works in the Accessory, Lock, Off, On, Run and Start positions and check that the steering wheel won't turn when the key is set to Lock but unlocks when set to On.