Ignition sticks / grinding when turning key
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 137
Likes: 55
From: Southern California
Ignition sticks / grinding when turning key
So this morning out of the blue the ignition is now sticking / grinding when i insert the key and trying to turn it. I drive the car almost everyday and this has never happened before. Everything still works fine it just feels like the ignition is catching on something when i try to turn the key. Could the key be getting old? I don't have a second key to try out. Could it be the tumblers? anyone else had a similar issue? Any info is appreciated
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,141
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
It's internal, something is happening with the tumblers, I would pull the Ignition switch and take it to a locksmith or buy a new key core, you will need the VIN to know which key core to buy.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
This happened with my truck, turned out to be a worn out key. Can you post a clear pic of your key? What I did was bring the ignition tumbler to a locksmith and he cut me a fresh key, been good to go since. With the worn out key, I could remove the key with the engine running. Not so with the new key. You could hit the key with some WD40 in the meantime, may help buy some time. Also trying jiggling the key as you turn it, this should reduce the force needed to turn the key.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 137
Likes: 55
From: Southern California
This happened with my truck, turned out to be a worn out key. Can you post a clear pic of your key? What I did was bring the ignition tumbler to a locksmith and he cut me a fresh key, been good to go since. With the worn out key, I could remove the key with the engine running. Not so with the new key. You could hit the key with some WD40 in the meantime, may help buy some time. Also trying jiggling the key as you turn it, this should reduce the force needed to turn the key.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,141
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
I still believe that the key core in the Ignition switch is the problem, worn out keys will not allow you to turn the key in the Ignition switch because the peaks of the key are worn down.
