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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!hplabs!omsvax!puck
From: puck@omsvax (Jerry Wheeler)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: RE: datsun ignition key problem
Message-ID: <678@omsvax>
Date: Thu, 29-Sep-83 11:10:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: omsvax.678
Posted: Thu Sep 29 11:10:08 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 2-Oct-83 13:34:04 EDT
Organization: Intel Corp. - Hillsboro,OR
Lines: 93

I'm responding to the request that barbaral from Tektronix put out
regarding the steering lock on her '76 B210.  I spent two years working
in the parts department at a Datsun dealership, so I know whereof I
speak (or at least I should).

>I have a datsun B210, 1976.  ...if I'm not careful when I get out of
>the car and hit the steering wheel, the steering wheel clicks and locks
>into place.  Then, the next time I want to drive, I can put the key in
>the slot, but I can't turn the key.

Actually, this is a *very* common problem with Datsuns.  It is caused
pretty much as the other two people who responded described it; that is,
the lock works by dropping a large pin down into a hole in a sleeve that
covers the steering column.  When there is any pressure on the steering
wheel, such as the wheel being turned *even slightly*, the pin will jam
up against the side of the hole, requiring the steering wheel to be
turned slightly to relieve the pressure.  This isn't so much a problem as
simply a poor design (by the way, Datsun doesn't make their own locks;
they buy them from someone else).
 
>One day I had a related problem, I was finished driving, and couldn't
>get the key out of the slot.  It was locked in the position such that
>I couldn't turn the car off!  ... After about 20 minutes, I finally got
>the key out.

I'm afraid I've got bad news for you.  The lock has about a 90% chance of
being shot.  This is such a common problem that the dealership I worked for
had to keep the steering locks in stock, rather than just ordering them
when needed (they didn't keep *anything* in stock that they didn't have a
common demand for).  My folks also owned a '76 B210, and the *exact* same
problem happened when I was driving the car.  I didn't even stop the car;
just headed straight for the dealership, let myself in, grabbed a new lock
(after charging myself for it), and took it and the car home to replace
it.

>Anyone else have these problems???

Unfortunately, yes, they do.  The only thing that cars with this problem
even *seemed* to have in common as a possible cause was that most of them
had a lot of keys on their key rings (making the key ring heavy).

There are only a few things you can do about it:

1) Do like I did and buy a new steering lock.  There are two disadvantages
to this approach:  They cost a *lot* (~$75 in 1979 - certainly higher now),
and the locks are not easy to remove (or you'll pay a pretty penny to have
it replaced).  If you want to replace it yourself, here's how:

	Remove the plastic cover on the steering column - about 7-10
	phillips head screws gotten to from underneath the column.  This
	will expose the two screws that hold the lock to the column.  At
	this point you'll notice that the screws don't have any slots for
	screwdrivers; get out your electric drill and drill the heads off
	them.  The lock will slip off over the shafts, which can then be
	unscrewed by hand.  Next, remove the ignition switch from the
	steering lock by taking out the two screws opposite the key hole.
	The new lock goes on with two new screws supplied with it - they
	have heads that break off after being tightened to the the correct
	pressure (so they can't be removed again).

2) Try getting one from a wrecking yard and use normal screws to hold it
on.  Cheaper, but some security compromised (not all that much, though; you
can't see the screws when the plastic cover is on).  I don't recall that
you can buy the special screws separately - you might check on it, though.

3) Do without.  If the lock jams in an *unlocked* position, you can use the
ignition without the lock (my parents did just that when the lock went out
for the *second* time on their B110 (1200).  The electrical switch (as
opposed to the mechanical part) is mounted on the steering lock with two
screws and can be activated by removing it and sticking something (similar
to a popsicle stick) into the slot in the switch and turning it.  It really
helps if the key isn't stuck in the lock (no one walking by will see this
car with the key in the ignition and get tempted), although you could just
break the key off.

>From my experience, it doesn't seem as though a locksmith will do you any
good, but it can't hurt to try - certainly it's the only way you'll get the
car fixed without adding a new key (just for the ignition) to your
collection outside of buying a *complete* lock set - replacing *every* key
on the car (aarrgghh!).

					Why be normal?

					puck

aka Jerry Wheeler at:

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