C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

C5 ignition key won’t turn

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 9, 2021 | 06:06 PM
  #1  
fldime's Avatar
fldime
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default C5 ignition key won’t turn

Ignition tumbler maybe worn out. But now it won’t turn. I have 248,000 plus miles on it. Sometimes when the key is inserted the seat doesn’t move into position. The key is pretty sloppy when it goes in. Just replace all of it?
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2021 | 06:12 PM
  #2  
fldime's Avatar
fldime
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default Update

Tried spare key, same problem, it seems the tumbler is coming apart. Just going to replace all of it
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2021 | 08:30 PM
  #3  
The Former's Avatar
The Former
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,684
Likes: 425
From: Indiana Cornfield
Default

Good luck bro. Post up how it goes. Ok?
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2021 | 12:41 PM
  #4  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,324
Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Sounds like a replacement is in order. Good luck.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2021 | 12:57 PM
  #5  
MWWarlord's Avatar
MWWarlord
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Default

Might be a good time to switch to a push button ignition system. Good luck with your repair.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2021 | 01:35 PM
  #6  
fldime's Avatar
fldime
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default Push button

That would be a nice upgrade. Beyond my knowledge. I can follow directions
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2021 | 01:58 PM
  #7  
MWWarlord's Avatar
MWWarlord
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Default

I ordered one awhile back, but haven't installed it yet as I've had several more important mechanical things (and a custom steering wheel) That I needed to do first. They are shockingly affordable. Here is the thread that got me interested. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-install.html I posted my own thread before I purchased my own that has some useful info. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ote-start.html.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2021 | 09:16 PM
  #8  
heggsc5's Avatar
heggsc5
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 747
Default

It's probably what you're suspecting, BUT try taking off the trim piece first and then trying it. I ran into an issue last year where the cylinder wasn't seated correctly in the trim piece after I r/r'd it and it was blocking the key from smooth engagement/turning. Dealt with it for a while, then finally r/r'd it again for something else. paid attention to how I put it back on this time, and all back to normal.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 11, 2021 | 08:29 AM
  #9  
C5MSG2004Vert's Avatar
C5MSG2004Vert
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 414
From: New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by MWWarlord
I ordered one awhile back, but haven't installed it yet as I've had several more important mechanical things (and a custom steering wheel) That I needed to do first. They are shockingly affordable. Here is the thread that got me interested. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-install.html I posted my own thread before I purchased my own that has some useful info. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ote-start.html.
That is a really nice solution. The installation looks like it's a bit of a pain but it's pretty cheap. If I ever have a problem with my lock I would probably replace it with this.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2021 | 08:33 AM
  #10  
fldime's Avatar
fldime
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default Good tip

I will check that out. I can see getting everything coded could be a can of worms
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2021 | 08:32 PM
  #11  
fldime's Avatar
fldime
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default Update

Installed switch commutative interruptor and a new ignition with code reader. Rejected the new tumbler to match my existing keys. Tested everything before putting it back together. It recognized the key fob and the keys. Put it all back together and it started. Till I put it in gear and let the clutch out it quit. Kept trying and it eventually drove. Same problem when I went to leave my wife’s work. Eventually it would drive. I switched to a spare key that wasn’t worn and it still had reversing problem. It would go forward. After a couple tries it backs up. While your driving it’s perfect till you turn it off. Any ideas?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2021 | 05:16 AM
  #12  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,324
Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Moved to C5 Tech.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C5 ignition key won’t turn





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:19 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE