Key will not turn
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Springdale Arkansas
Key will not turn
My wife went to the store yesterday car drove fine.
She got back in and the ignition would not turn at all.
I checked the obvious:
The car is in park , battery etc.
I tried to disconnect the battery cable thinking maybe it was secuity system related hoping it would reset the problem NO DICE...
I am starting to get aggravated, I had the lockout recall done about a month ago, dont even get me started on the hosing I think GM has put on corvette owners over that.
any way off the soap box...
Any ideas I am thinking a bad lock cylinder or something of the sort.
If it is, how hard is it to change?
Thanks in advance, Jim
She got back in and the ignition would not turn at all.
I checked the obvious:
The car is in park , battery etc.
I tried to disconnect the battery cable thinking maybe it was secuity system related hoping it would reset the problem NO DICE...
I am starting to get aggravated, I had the lockout recall done about a month ago, dont even get me started on the hosing I think GM has put on corvette owners over that.
any way off the soap box...
Any ideas I am thinking a bad lock cylinder or something of the sort.
If it is, how hard is it to change?
Thanks in advance, Jim
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I don't have an auto trans so I'm not sure if the key should turn regardless of the trans or not. On the MM6 trans, the key is not impacted therefore I would instantly suggest pulling apart the ignition switch. If the car is still not at home, then get her towed back and pull it apart or call a locksmith and see if they can assist you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
He said his ignition won't turn at all...therefore I would think he means the ignition key lock assembly is jammed or the key is worn out. I don't think it'll cause any issues if the column lock is present or not. My '99 has no connection from the key to the column or transmission so I'm thinking the auto is the same...they aren't even mounted together so this shouldn't be an issue. I think something has jammed his ignition if the key won't turn. I want to suggest squirting some graphite in there (old school) but don't want him to mess up the chip contacts.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: Moorhead MN
the resistor pickup for the chipped key may have broken off and fallen into the tumblers. I just had mine do that to me about a week ago. the new ignition was like $125 set to my key from the dealer and took about 20-25 minutes for my tech to put it in
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Springdale Arkansas
update
First thanks for the reply guys!
I would have dug into this my self I have just been working to much to attack it.
On to the update, The dealer service writer called and told me it was the keyed assembly that was bad.
He then proceded to tell me that they broke the bezel when removing it and were NOT going to fix it...
I thought I was on candid camera... (you would have to know me)
The service writer then expounded that he had been doing this thirty years and these things just happen and because it is a 1997 (46,000 miles) the dealership would not fix it, but if I wanted to pay to have it fixed they would be glad to do it, oh and it will be $400.00 by the way.
He then went on to say that if I didn't want to pay to have it fixed. He reconmmended I super glue it.
I about lost my mind
After a very short and to the point conversation with very limited options it was agreed that the dealer would fix it...
Can you believe that load....
Jim
I would have dug into this my self I have just been working to much to attack it.
On to the update, The dealer service writer called and told me it was the keyed assembly that was bad.
He then proceded to tell me that they broke the bezel when removing it and were NOT going to fix it...
I thought I was on candid camera... (you would have to know me)
The service writer then expounded that he had been doing this thirty years and these things just happen and because it is a 1997 (46,000 miles) the dealership would not fix it, but if I wanted to pay to have it fixed they would be glad to do it, oh and it will be $400.00 by the way.
He then went on to say that if I didn't want to pay to have it fixed. He reconmmended I super glue it.
I about lost my mind
After a very short and to the point conversation with very limited options it was agreed that the dealer would fix it...
Can you believe that load....
Jim
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I recently had the steering column lower bearing replaced in my '99. They broke the steering wheel position sensor when reinstalling it. Even though the sensor is a discontinued item, they managed to get one right away. There was no issue with them replacing at their cost, honorable and integrity came to mind for me.
