1987 w/4+3

[Rufus1050]

Hello from the bayou land...I have been looking at a 87 at one of the local lots that was traded in several weeks ago. The exterior is nice and except for the driver's seat, is in great condition. Here the problem...the motor is supposed to be bad but they can't get the key to turn in the ignition so that I can listen to it. I've tried to get the previous owner's name so that I can call him and get the low down on this rig. No luck thus far. Owners who have the 4+3, can you tell me if there are any special manueuvers that you have to go through to get the ignition switch to turn. I'm ignoring the possibility that they have the wrong key. Advice appreciated...have a good week.

Rufus

 

[G Winter]

First off try moving key up and down while trying to turn it . Second wiggle the wheel, may be presure against the lock. If they are sure they have the right key and it is worn, any GM dealer can cut a new key if they have the vin number. Provided the lock has not been changed .This is not a copy but a new cut. How much are they asking for the car?

 

[hAZcAT]

First put the Car in Reverse, my 85 was really hard to remove the key and sometimes almost impossible to get the key in, and then if I got the key in it wouldn't want to turn, I found out it has some linkage or something or other (don't have the correct name for it) that acts like a "park" postion as far as the key is concerned. good luck, and good night

 

[Rufus1050]

Thanks, GWinter...I'll certainly take that into consideration when I chat with the salesperson. They're asking six grand...later...

 

[Rufus1050]

Appreciate the reply hAZcAT, that's what I was looking far. It was obivious that the salesperson didn't have a clue...of course I didn't either...except that they may have the wrong key. I'll arm myself with your info and see if that doesn't kick it off. Thanks and have a great week.

 

[Nitronick]

I went through this with my 85. The tumblers were stripped in the ignition. $12.50 at O'Reilly Auto, $5 for the plastic "turtle" from GM and I was up and running.
From what I read on the subject while doing my fix, dumb*sses yank the key out of the ignition while the shifter is not in reverse. This ruins the tumblers. I have read of people being able to take the key out of the ignition while the car is running, and even of some that can start the car with no key:W. The main thing is to never turn the switch back to the lock position. This locks the ignition(with now stripped tumblers), and no amount of muscle on the key will get it to turn.
This sounds like the situation with the car you are looking at. It was my problem anyway. It is a pretty easy fix, but don't tell the seller that.
With no way to start it and a supposedly bad motor, $6k is waaaayy too much.

 

[G Winter]

6 grand is way to much if the engine is bad.

 

[Rufus1050]

Appreciate the reply hAZcAT, that's what I was looking far. It was obivious that the salesperson didn't have a clue...of course I didn't either...except that they may have the wrong key. I'll arm myself with your info and see if that doesn't kick it off. Thanks and have a great week.

Hey guys...thanks so much for the scoop and I am not planning to shell out six grand for who knows what...here's the deal. I bought an 85 last year in fair shape. The engine, transmission, seats and tires were great. The interior is ratty and it could use a paint job. Long story short, I'll probably need to spend another 5 grand to get it in decent shape...maybe more if I have to replace the nose and some of the interior items such as carpet dash housing, etc. So I'm figuring that the 87 is super clean...paint & interior except the driver's seat is very good. If all is well except the motor then I can get one for less than I would have to spend to doll up the 85. Of course there's a great deal of other issues that would have to be examined before I would even think about the 87. Looks aren't everything, not with a vette. A million things could need replacing and I've done much of this already with the 85. I'm figuring on making them an offer...say around 2,500 -3,000. Don't know if they'll bite but I can only try. Thanks again to all the nice folks who replied to my distress call. CAC Rules...

 

[Rufus1050]

Just want to report that as of this day, the car has been sold. Takes care of that itch...thanks for all the feedback.