- 1). Park your Firebird and open the door housing the key lock cylinder that you need to remove. The window on the door must be completely up or in the closed position. If the window is not up, close it completely. Use a small pry bar or flathead screwdriver to pry up the front of the accessory switch panel or cover on the door. Remove the plastic panel by hand, unplugging any electrical connectors from behind, if present.
- 2). Remove the inner door puller and lock mechanism from the door panel. Unscrew the panel in the middle, using a Phillips-head screwdriver to turn the screw counterclockwise. Slide a flathead screwdriver behind the door slide-lock mechanism and pry the rod connector clip off of the slide lock. The slide lock and door handle are both connected by metal connector rods through the door assembly. Remove the slide-lock assembly from the connector rod.
- 3). Slide the door handle and lock panel off of the door handle by twisting the plastic panel free of the handle, while pulling it out away from the door panel. Remove the door panel completely from the rest of the door by prying gently around all of the edges of the door panel. Use a small pry bar or flathead screwdriver to pry the panel loose from the door. Pull the door panel upward out of the window jamb track and out from the door.
- 4). Remove the water cover from the door near the back of the door, using a razor knife or box cutter blade. You will need to access the point of the door handle and key lock assembly on the inside of both parts. Cut an "X" into the plastic water barrier so you can reach your hand into the doorframe.
- 5). Visually inspect and remove the connector rod clip from the door lock assembly. The connector rod from the key lock goes straight down to the lock assembly on the door latch. Remove the clip holding the rod to the key cylinder with a pair of needle-nose pliers or by prying it off with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the key-lock-cylinder retainer clip, which is a small shim clip between the lock cylinder and the door. Pull the clip free from the lock cylinder using needle-nose pliers or a flathead screwdriver. Remove the lock cylinder by pulling it through the outside of the door.
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