Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler
Ignition Lock Housing Assembly
Replacement Instructions
This design was used on many Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles from 1995 through 2007. These vehicles include, Neon, Breeze, Stratus, Cirrus, Sebring, PT Cruiser, Jeep Cherokee, TJ, Wrangler and Liberty.
NOTE: Beginning in 2001, many of these vehicle have immobilizers requiring additional parts and programming by a DRB III or Starscan Scan tool.
Most of the time, the need to replace this part is due to a theft (or attempted theft). When the lock cylinder is forcefully removed from the housing, the cast metal sleeve that holds the lock breaks, leaving nothing for the lock cylinder to slide into or to hold it in place.
Chrysler (Jeep) only sells these housings as part of the entire steering column assembly, however we have these components available separately and for sale to you Here.
The vehicle used in this example is a 2001 Dodge Stratus. Some applications may be slightly different and may require removal from the vehicle
DISASSEMBLY
1) Remove the lower dash panel to allow access to the steering column. (Older Stratus and Cirrus designs require the top dash panel be removed 1st)
2) Remove the lower steering column cover. Some vehicle have 2 screws, while others may have 3.
3) Unscrew the multifunction switch. There are 2 screws on the top of the column. they may be 20 torx or phillips head.
4) Disconnect the bulk connectors and remove the switch from the column. Check for damage to the switch near the area of the lock. Sometimes the thieves damage this switch as well.
5) Under the dash, at the bottom of the column, locate the steering column coupler (flex joint).
Some vehicles will have a bolt and nut rather than a roll pin. Additionally, some Jeep models and Stratus designs require the column to be removed in order to accomplish these next steps.
If you do need to remove the column, BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO ROTATE THE CLOCKSPRING WHILE OUT OF THE CAR!!
To understand more about a clockspring, Go Here.
6) Using a punch, drive out the roll pin holding the column coupler to the shaft.
7) Gently, but firmly flatten the locking washer holding the spring tight to the lower shaft. Once you release the pressure, the spring, washer and lower bearing guide will slide down the shaft.
8) Slide the coupler, washer, spring and guide off the shaft.
DO NOT LOSE THESE PIECES!
9) Disconnect the electical connectors to the clockspring.
10) Release the locking tab on the top and bottom of the clockspring holding it to the lock cylinder housing. Gently, begin to slide the entire steering wheel and shaft out of the column.
11) Slide the shaft with the airbag, steering wheel and clockspring still attached, completely out of the tube, making sure you do not rotate the clockspring.
12) Loosen the tamper proof torx screws holding the lock housing to the tube.
13) Disconnect the wires and shift interlock cable (automatic transmission only) from the housing and remove the housing from the column.
These are photos of the lock housing assembly (with the switch attached and without).
We have these components available separately and for sale as an assembly Here.
RE-ASSEMBLY
1) Install the replacement housing onto the tube, making sure the cast is seated correctly into the tube.
2) Insert the shaft, with the steering wheel and clockspring attached back into the tube. Seat the clockspring exactly into the housing as it came out making sure not to rotate the steering wheel.
3) Locate the guide, spring and locking washer. Flatten the washer back into shape so it will hold the guide and spring securely on the shaft once again.
4) Slide the pieces back onto the lower shaft once again making sure the shaft does not rotate and the spring holds tension on the shaft.
5) Slide the coupler onto the shaft aligning the groove and notch for the roll pin or bolt to fit properly.
6) Install the roll pin
7) Install the remaining pieces of the column exactly as you removed them.
If these instructions have helped you and you wish to see more, please donate any amount to our continuing web design and improvements.
With these funds we will create more instructional and informative pages.
Thank you.