Key won't turn in ignition
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Key won't turn in ignition
This only happens sometimes but is getting very annoying very fast. Sometimes when I stick the key in the ignition it will not turn. I have to play with it about 15-20 times to finally get it to go. There doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason why it finally goes in.
Anyone have any similar problems? Ignition switch failing? or something with the Security system?
Thanks in advance.
Anyone have any similar problems? Ignition switch failing? or something with the Security system?
Thanks in advance.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Key won't turn
This only happens sometimes but is getting very annoying very fast. Sometimes when I stick the key in the ignition it will not turn. I have to play with it about 15-20 times to finally get it to go. There doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason why it finally goes in.
Anyone have any similar problems? Ignition switch failing? or something with the Security system?
Thanks in advance.
Anyone have any similar problems? Ignition switch failing? or something with the Security system?
Thanks in advance.
Good Luck
Last edited by bestvettever; Jul 17, 2008 at 11:38 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 860
Likes: 3
It sounds like either the resister pellet in the kem may be going bad, or the ignition cylinder. If you do not have a second key, I would suggest going to a local loclsmith and getting one made. If that key does the same thing, then I suspect it is time to replace the ignition cylinder.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
The pellet won't cause the key not to turn, it only prevents the car from starting. The most likely cause is as stated, the steering wheel is turned against the lock (if you still have the lock plate in your car). Second most likely is key worn. If you only have one key, you need two anyway. Find out what resistance your pellet is, buy a key with the right resistance and have one made. Bear in mind that if the old key has worn and a new key is cut from it, it's possible the new key will be cut with the worn down part too. The safest and most expensive way to get a good working key is to take your Vin and identification to a dealer and have a key made. Third, it could be the tumblers in the ignition switch, but eliminate the cheaper first.
Since you didn't fill out your profile with the year or transmission of your car, and didn't state it in your question, these will all be generic answers. All those who say you don't need to fill out a profile, take a look at this question and give a definitive answer.
Since you didn't fill out your profile with the year or transmission of your car, and didn't state it in your question, these will all be generic answers. All those who say you don't need to fill out a profile, take a look at this question and give a definitive answer.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Jul 18, 2008 at 08:56 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,109
Likes: 26
From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
This only happens sometimes but is getting very annoying very fast. Sometimes when I stick the key in the ignition it will not turn. I have to play with it about 15-20 times to finally get it to go. There doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason why it finally goes in.
Anyone have any similar problems? Ignition switch failing? or something with the Security system?
Thanks in advance.
Anyone have any similar problems? Ignition switch failing? or something with the Security system?
Thanks in advance.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
The pellet won't cause the key not to turn, it only prevents the car from starting. The most likely cause is as stated, the steering wheel is turned against the lock (if you still have the lock plate in your car). Second most likely is key worn. If you only have one key, you need two anyway. Find out what resistance your pellet is, buy a key with the right resistance and have one made. Bear in mind that if the old key has worn and a new key is cut from it, it's possible the new key will be cut with the worn down part too. The safest and most expensive way to get a good working key is to take your Vin and identification to a dealer and have a key made. Third, it could be the tumblers in the ignition switch, but eliminate the cheaper first.
Since you didn't fill out your profile with the year or transmission of your car, and didn't state it in your question, these will all be generic answers. All those who say you don't need to fill out a profile, take a look at this question and give a definitive answer.
Since you didn't fill out your profile with the year or transmission of your car, and didn't state it in your question, these will all be generic answers. All those who say you don't need to fill out a profile, take a look at this question and give a definitive answer.
the pellet has no effect on the rotation of the lock cylinder.since the column lock pin is not mechanically linked to the lock cylinder as previous gm products were where the linkage is in the column, it shouldn't have any effect on key rotation. the column lock pin is motor driven.
check for burrs on the cut area and if the key is bent. it only takes a hair's width to cause a problem in the lock cylinder
Last edited by 10U 99; Jul 18, 2008 at 09:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
I just bought this car on monday. I switched to the other key he gave me and it works just fine. I don't know why I didn't think of that before. I just assumed they would both be the same. Thanks for the help.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 5
From: Chico CA
Sounds like you got at least one copied key, which should be replaced with one that works. A good lock shop can do these without too much trouble.
But it begs the question of what happened to the other factory key. If the seller is local, there may be a stray key floating around in your area...
I hate losing keys! And my son is really good at it.
But it begs the question of what happened to the other factory key. If the seller is local, there may be a stray key floating around in your area...
I hate losing keys! And my son is really good at it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Yeah, one day I cussed my key for 5 min, until I realized I was using my Blazer's key! 
Then, I kicked my own *** all the way back into my house for the vette key. I now have my tiny car cover lock key on my vette fob to quickly tell the difference in fobs, so I don't act stupid again too soon!!
Then, I kicked my own *** all the way back into my house for the vette key. I now have my tiny car cover lock key on my vette fob to quickly tell the difference in fobs, so I don't act stupid again too soon!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Yeah, one day I cussed my key for 5 min, until I realized I was using my Blazer's key!
Then, I kicked my own *** all the way back into my house for the vette key. I now have my tiny car cover lock key on my vette fob to quickly tell the difference in fobs, so I don't act stupid again too soon!!
Then, I kicked my own *** all the way back into my house for the vette key. I now have my tiny car cover lock key on my vette fob to quickly tell the difference in fobs, so I don't act stupid again too soon!!
the snap on colored fob covers make for easy identification
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, TN
I had this problem on my 2003. It all started when the key would turn but nothing happening, and since I'd gone through this when I had my 1993, I knew it was the VATS and I would have to get Bella to my mechanic. So the next day I go out just to check again, and the key wouldn't even turn. After some searching, someone suggested putting the key in the ignition then tapping it with a hammer. I thought they were nuts, but I had to do something because you have to put it in neutral to have it put on a lowboy. So, I figured what the heck, and tried it. It worked. I barely tapped it, but I was able to turn the key. At least now I can turn the key and get the car into neutral so she can be taken to the mechanic.
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Closing the thread and moving it to C5 Tech.
