So apparently i've been driving with a faulty ignition barrel for a while... as it seems, the battery draining issues I'd been having lately are due to something draining it within the barrel. That's all gonde now, for it has failed on me completely now. I can turn the key and turn everything on, except for the starter. I've had a quick peek and it seems I need a new barrel, I'm gonna have a second look but don't think I can fix this one, it's all a single unit.

So I've been searching the almighty ebay and have found several hits. But I also found something called a repair kit, for making your own key fit any new ignition barrel.
This sounds interesting.... but I'm not entirely certain it's worth the money (or works, even). Anyone have experience with this?

Seems a bit trivial, but somehow I just don't like the idea of having to use different keys for doors and ignition. That just has a somewhat offbeat kinda ring to it. Not that the truck is anywhere near tiptop condition, but you can at least try to make it a bit sound, right?

 

If the kit to do it yourself is not to expensive and is complete with instructions, it sounds like it might be best. When mine died a while back I had to buy a new one from the dealership and just took it to the locksmith to get it matched to my key. I think it was only $10-15 to do so.

I think even autozone carries the lock cylinder.

 

Very cool, i'll get into that. I think a locksmith is fine for me. Next dumb question; does any barrel work or do you need a blank for that? All I can find on ebays and such is barrel with keys.

 

By the way, you say you had it done, is this a common issue then?

 

In all vehicles it can be a common problem.

 

You need the one designed for your truck. You may need the electronic part or the lock cylinder. I replaced both because I had already bought the electronic part, and it ended up being the lock cylinder, and they wouldn't let me return it being an electrical part. Call up ORielley's and see how much. I don't think I paid more than 80 bucks for both. I do have to use different keys for ignition and door, but doesn't bother me. I didn't know you could have a locksmith take care of it.

 

I think I found the problem:

 

I got the new lock in the post today. Went straight to a locksmith and although he says it can be done, he can't. There's only a few who can, maybe, in the whole region so I'm gonna stick with the two key option.

Battery is charging as we speak, after that hopefully I'll be good again.

 

Dang that sucks. Try another locksmith, it is not that hard to get to the pins.

That is the same exact problem I had about a year ago is that corner broke off. That head is held in with a crush pin. Pull that out of both locks and place the new head on the old lock and reinsert the pin.