DIY Toyota Corolla ignition lock repair

In detail: DIY repair of the Toyota Corolla ignition lock from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Every car part has its own resource, and the ignition switch is no exception. Despite the fact that the Toyota brand is reliable, it is a frequent occurrence that this unit malfunctions. Do not ignore the jam, because this can lead to the fact that the key will fall out of the hole, and the car can be started with an ordinary screwdriver. This article covers all Corolla AE generations from 100 to 140.

Image - DIY Toyota Corolla ignition lock repair

There are 2 types of breakdowns of this unit: electrical and mechanical, which will be discussed in the article. For any type of breakdown, this part must be removed from the car for repair.

Under no circumstances should the wedge lock be lubricated! The fact is that the parts of the lock, during the process of wear, generate metal shavings, which becomes full inside. In addition to it, small particles of dirt and dust are brought into the hole. Now imagine what will happen when all this dirt is mixed with grease and clogs all the grooves. The key will simply stop turning.

To replace this element with a Corolla, a chisel, 2 screwdrivers and a hammer are used. Sequence of work:

  1. For safety, it is necessary to disconnect the terminal with the "-" sign from the battery.
  2. The steering column is covered at the top and bottom by two shrouds fixed with screws that must be unscrewed. For convenience, you can also remove the steering column pad, which is attached in the same way.
  3. After removing the covers, it is required to disconnect all the wire chips.
  4. The lock itself is fixed on a metal bracket with 4 bolts. For anti-theft purposes, these bolts are screwed in at the factory, and the caps break off on purpose, but you can unscrew them with a chisel and hammer. It is necessary to emphasize the tool against the side so that when knocking on it, the bolt turns counterclockwise.
Video (click to play).

Replacing the Corolla AE 100 ignition lock with a new original one is an expensive business. The cost of such work under the order: $ 100. Buying this spare part for disassembly is not the best option, because it is not known how long it will last for operation, even though it costs 2,500 rubles. It may happen that the device breaks down again in a month.

The most reasonable option in the event of a breakdown is a new larva or repairing an old one, because it is this part that breaks down most often.

In order to pull out the larva, it is necessary to turn the key to the ACC position (120 degrees), and then press the stopper with a screwdriver as in the photo.

Image - DIY Toyota Corolla ignition lock repair

Use another screwdriver to detach the cover shown by the second red arrow.

Mechanical failure

This unit works thanks to special metal plates - pins (they are also called "levers"), which are spring-loaded from below. It is they who identify the key, falling into its grooves. Due to the fact that Toyota key pins are made of soft brass, they quickly wear off from friction. This is what causes most of the breakdowns. The repair is carried out on the principle of replacing old plates with new ones. Price per set: 100 rubles. In addition, you should pay attention to the springs: they must hold the plates at the same height. If somewhere the pins sag in comparison with the rest, then in them it is necessary to change the springs to new ones.

If you do not want to repair the ignition lock yourself, then you can simply hand it over to the service or buy a new larva with a key.

Electrical fault

If the key turns without jamming, but the car does not react in any way, then in 100 percent of cases this is the business of an electrician. The most common problem in this problem is contact oxide. In this case, it is worth cleaning the terminal connections from plaque. If stripping does not work, then each wire should be ringed. According to the diagram below, the terminals are called like this: hold the first contact of the ohmmeter at position "1", and with the second contact alternately touch positions 2–7. There must be the same resistance between all terminals, otherwise the wires must be changed.

Image - DIY Toyota Corolla ignition lock repair

Technically, the ignition lock from Toyota Corolla is not complicated, and you can repair and replace it yourself. For those who do not want to spend money and get a good result, self-repair is a good option.

You will need: All the tools for removing the steering column shroud and a flat-blade screwdriver.

1. Disconnect the wire from the negative terminal of the storage battery.

2. Remove the lower part of the steering column cover (see "Removing and installing the steering column cover").

3. Disconnect the harness block from the immobilizer antenna unit.

For clarity, the following operations are shown on the steering column removed from the vehicle.

4. Remove the contact group of the ignition switch (lock), see "Replacing the contact group of the ignition switch (lock)".

5. Press the clips with a screwdriver ...

6.… and remove the immobilizer antenna unit from the ignition switch.

7. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the "ACC" position.

8. Insert a screwdriver into the hole in the ignition switch housing and pull the switch cylinder out of the housing until it stops.

9. Press the ignition switch cylinder lock with a screwdriver through the hole.

Image - DIY Toyota Corolla ignition lock repair

10

10. . and remove the cylinder from the body.

11. Install the parts in the reverse order of removal.

When starting a car, the first thing we notice when we insert a key into it is the ignition switch, and the Toyota Corolla is no exception. The lock serves not only to ensure the safety of the vehicle from the encroachments of intruders, but is also responsible for the reliable operation of the entire vehicle.

Ignition is a very important system of the car, without which it will be impossible to operate. Therefore, its correct operation must be monitored and periodically carried out maintenance or repair of the elements of this system.

Toyota Corolla cars have several types of ignition systems, for example, with an internal electronic unit or an external one. Their main difference is that the first has an electronic unit, in other words, a switch, built into the distributor case. The coil in both of these systems is mounted inside the distributor.

The ignition system of vehicles, as a rule, consists of the following parts:

  • lock and ignition key;
  • accumulator battery;
  • the electronic unit;
  • induction sensor;
  • coil;
  • high-voltage and low-voltage circuit wiring;
  • distributor;
  • spark plug.

In modern Toyota Corolla cars, injection power units are installed, and the entire ignition system is controlled by an electronic processor (ECM unit). It performs all automatic adjustments, such as the ignition timing and some others. At the same time, it takes readings from various sensors that read the parameters of the engine, for example, the number of its revolutions, the temperature of the coolant, as well as the volume of air flow.

Before replacing any of the parts of the ignition system, you must make sure that it is she who is out of order.

When repairing or servicing this system in Toyota Corolla vehicles, the following safety rules must be observed:

  1. If the engine does not start, do not leave the ignition on for more than 10 minutes.
  2. The tachometer must be connected according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  3. It is strictly forbidden for the terminals of the coil to come into contact with the body of the machine, as this may result in the failure of both the coil itself and the electronic control unit.
  4. It is forbidden to disconnect the battery while the engine is running.
  5. Do not allow the electronic unit to be disconnected from the reliable contact with the vehicle ground.
  6. The ignition system generates high voltages, so be extra vigilant when carrying out repairs. The danger is not only high-voltage wires and the coil, but also the instrumentation that is connected to them.
  7. When repairing the ignition system, if possible, disconnect earth from the battery.

One of the most common breakdowns of this system is jamming of the lock, failure of the coil, as well as burnout of the spark plug contacts.

Toyota Corolla ignition switch is located on the right side of the driver. It is bolted to the steering column on different models with different numbers of bolts. The mounts are sealed and have TORX heads. In order to loosen them, the use of a special tool is required, but you can use a simple chisel, pliers and a hammer. In the lock, the following malfunctions are most often encountered: wedging (the key does not turn) and wear of the contact group.

Image - DIY Toyota Corolla ignition lock repair

For removal and disassembly it is necessary:

  • disconnect the negative terminal from the storage battery;
  • insert the key into the ignition lock;
  • remove the cover that covers the steering column;
  • unscrew the ignition lock, and if there is no special device for this, then rip off the bolts with a chisel and hammer and unscrew them with pliers;
  • disconnect the electrical connector and remove the lock together with the key;
  • after the lock is removed, unscrew the screws securing the contact group and disconnect it; if the disassembly was carried out to replace the contact group, at this stage it can be completed, a new contact group can be installed and assembly can be started;
  • for other repair work, remove the cylinder from the lock without removing the key;
  • inspect the secrets - they should not protrude from the larva; if defects are found, carefully grind off the protrusions with a file;
  • wipe all elements of the lock, lubricate them and assemble in reverse order.

Important! When performing all operations with the ignition switch, do not remove the key from it.

Toyota Corolla manufacturers recommend using NGK BKR5EY-11 spark plugs for their engines. But according to numerous reviews, Denso candles and many others are also suitable.

Image - DIY Toyota Corolla ignition lock repair

Replacement of candles should be carried out in a timely manner: after 20 thousand kilometers for ordinary ones, and 80 thousand for platinum ones. To replace the candles, you need the following tools:

  • spark plug wrench 16 mm;
  • 10 mm head;
  • ratchet.

Important! All work on replacing spark plugs is carried out only on a cold engine.

The replacement process itself is simple and does not differ from that on other cars:

  1. Unscrew the decorative cover from the motor using the ratchet head.
  2. After removing the cover, clean the surface from dirt and dust.
  3. Disconnect the ignition coil connector.
  4. Unscrew the fastening of the coils and remove them.
  5. Using a candle wrench, remove the old candles.
  6. Lubricate the new spark plug with graphite grease and screw it in gently (it should be easy to screw in).
  7. After you have tightened all the candles, tighten them as needed.

Carry out further assembly in reverse order. When replacing spark plugs, it is also recommended to revise high-voltage wires.

The ignition coil on Toyota Corolla cars cannot be repaired, therefore, if it fails, it must be replaced with a new one. On Toyota Corolla car models produced at different times, the coils can be installed in different places.

To replace the coil of recently produced cars, you must:

  • remove the decorative grille of the engine;
  • disconnect the coil connector and unscrew its fastener;
  • remove the coil and replace it with a new one.