How To Pick Ignition Lock Cylinder & Find The Key Code GM GENERAL MOTORS [Chevrolet / Buick / GMC]

I have been going through videos to help my own understanding of the GM ignition cylinder, had a lot of problems with them recently in michigan. Some tips for those who plan to take on this task. You can tell by the large black plastic piece around the entire ignition (not the cap that he removes) that this truck has an anti theft chip and thus will Not start when you turn the ignition to On during this process! because of that, you can leave this truck in park to remove the ignition. On trucks without that black plastic (antennae) part, you MUST put the car into a gear where it cannot start, or remove the battery power to the truck so it cannot start. Because it will take you some time to pull the ignition out, if you keep it in the start position while the truck is in neutral or park you can damage your starter by keeping it engaged while the engine turns on. Thanks for helping me understand how to pick the ignition in another way, and I hope that I helped someone else with this repair to not damage their vehicle.

Thanks...just bought a (no key) motorcycle from copart. In order to repair it i needed to ( pick the ignition) untill i get a new one....( bike was a gamble.....for once i won😊) now to turn salvaged title to rebuilt😊

best most detailed instruction video ever. Thank you!!

Thank you, I sat in my yukon today and thought surely this can be picked to put my new tumbler inside the ignition barrel. And you proved me right.

I didn't really need this but when I came across this video I found it compulsive viewing , and found the explanations very good , well done

This video is really the best! Thank you for share your knowledge!

I just got a abandoned 2010 Suburban I am going to try and pick the lock with the help of your video and get the key code . I do Marine repair for a living from one Trades Man to another excellent video I love how detailed you keep it and simple. I am not a lock smith I know nothing about this

Thankyou so much!! i was seriously losing my mind over this. you fixed it.

Thank you for this comprehensive video wasn’t able to do chevey for years

You're a good teacher. Thank you

Nice job!! I did this on a Honda Fit Now my son's 2003 GMC needs to be done!!

Very good video that I'm sure helped everyone here, thanks!

Thank you so much for the information !!!!

Hey , you are Great ! You included so much small but important detail that others gloss over. I think you are Excellent !

I am used to be an Auto Tech and anytime you work on the ignition system always disconnect your battery . This will stop any accidental starts and stop any issues with possible damage to electrical system or to you ECM .

I watched you do that then looked at my '06 chevy express and thought it has a ring that doesn't come off with 2 tabs to give you leverage turning it so I didn't need the vise grips. I pushed a small plastic wire tie into the area with the black bar and got it to go in quite a aways. (maybe an inch) Then after I lubed up the slot with wd, I just used a chevy key for a different van and about the third time in and out it turned! I put a rod in the catch removal hole and slowly turned the thing until I felt the give of the cylinder and it came out! i just needed to get the cylinder out so I could put in my cylinder from my non tilt column.

Great video my friend, I just subscribed to your channel, this is my first video and I like it very much, very well explained step by step, one question ? Where are you located?

Great video

Harbor freight has an orange handle hook and pick set. I use the weird angle tool included in that set to tension the sidebar and still rake the lock. I do not pull the cap off the end of the igniton because plastic gets brittle and could break. I also use a metal test key instead of using a transponder key if I'm not sure of the code or bitting. Cheaper that way so you dont waste transponder keys.

this technique should work for a 2011 chevrolet impala yes? ive taken apart the panels like in video and my ignition looks exactly the same so it should work.. i answered my own question lol jus to get the picks now..