Hey all, I just went out to start up the squareback for her weekly engine turn over and now the key wont turn in the ignition!

I have soaked it in WD40 but still no luck, the same key still operates the doors ok.

Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Gib

[Edited on 23/4/2005 by Gibbo]

Steering lock??

Erm..... No. Steering turns without a problem.

Im silly, but not that silly....


[Edited on 23/4/2005 by Gibbo]

Anyone?

I didn;t mean to infer that you wre silly Other than that I don't have any idea what it could be unless the locking mechanism has slipped into the ignition...

Yeah I thought of that, but I cant see any way of getting into the unit to undo that sort of thing....

Is it the same key you have used all the time??? I recently aquired a wrecked fasty and found that the original key wouldn't turn unless it was out just a fraction!!!! but the copy worked fine so maybe try jiggling the key in the ignition in and out????

Kieran

As the song says: "Jiggle it...just a little bit..."
You might have a stuck tumbler that just needs to be worked loose.
If it still doesn't improve, get another one or call a locksmith.
Regards,
Toby

I made a copy of my original key, in fact, I made two copies from two different places. The two copies open the doors but cannot turn the ignition. Only the original can open doors and turn the ignition. I am peeved off with the key makers. If I loose or break my original I won't be able to drive my notch

For the third try I am going to go to a reputable locksmith. See if the centre of the ignition mechanism has been pushed in. Mine goes in slightly and comes out slightly when I put and remove the key. I have found that sometimes when the mechanism has been pushed in it does not turn, so when you are trying, don't just jiggle the key, see if the centre goes in-and-out as well (and get a cheeseburger while you are at it - let's see how many people get this joke).

a mate of mine got a key cut for his pajero and it would unlock the doors but not start the car. after pondering he realised the key was about a cm shorter than the origional. when he took it back the guy gave him a talk about how "those old keys are hard to make a copy with.......blah blah" but he shut up quick when my mate showed him the keys.

as for the ignition not turning. thats pretty weird something has seized in it obviously. perhaps egeworks is right and the steering lock mechanism has become permanantly snagged but then you would think the wheel still couldnt turn.

I have had a similar thing in the fasty a few times, what it is for me, the barrel sometimes doesn't come out fully when you take the key out. When the barrel sticks in, it won't turn. So now I am careful the barrel comes out flush with the ring around it before removing the key.
As others have said, a bit of jiggling. WD40/CRC/light oil spray sometimes helps also.

Octa, this is a common problem in old locks. The key and ignition barrel wear together so still sork, a new key cut being sharper on the edges etc will have trouble working. Not always the key cutters fault.

A little off topic but........ As an alternative to WD40 or oil you can use powdered graphite to lubricate your locks. The advantage is that graphite is dry and therefore doesn't attract dust and gunk. Should be available at bunnings etc.

If you have lots of keys on with ignition key you may just have to lift the key a little bit. Had this problem few years ago was caused by too many keys on car key ring weighing down on mechanism. Now just the ingition and doors keys in any key ring