This won't be especially helpful to anyone right this second, but I wanted to document it for search purposes, if nothing else.

We had a towed-in 1999 Lexus LX470 and the complaint was "key just spins". They were referring to the ignition key. Well, the lock cylinder actually is removable on these, and it was perfectly fine. But the housing it fits inside of, has an internal actuating rod, that was broken.

The housing is called "bracket" by Lexus, and acts as the steering column lock also.

It looks like this; [1999 Lexus LX470, Photo]

but will look like this;

[Toyota] [Toyota]

with all the electrical switches attached.

So here's the tip....since it came in BROKEN, you honestly don't know one little important thing: Although the ignition switch only attaches one way, and the lock cylinder only slides in one way, that piece that was broken (the rod, inside) can be spun all the way around and around and around. So you may not realize you are in for trouble. You will know you ARE in trouble when the steering column locks with the key ON and unlocks with the key OFF.

So, make sure to install the lock cylinder, while the whole assembly is out of the car, that way if the column lock is working backwards, you can take it back apart and give it a 180° twist in just a couple minutes.

Geoff from Hawaii

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