C5 Ignition won’t turn
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
C5 Ignition won’t turn
Tried starting my car the key wouldn’t go in fully at first. Then went in but won’t turn the ignition, steering column is locked. I believe I’ve had the recall done for that. I’ve tried to move the steering wheel back and forth with the key in with the key out ect… also have tried my spare key nothing is working.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 46
Likes: 39
From: Cape Cod
I had this exact same thing happen to me last summer in my 04' when we were leaving a car show. It was difficult getting the key into the the ignition, actually felt a little crunchy. Once the key was in it wouldn't turn at all and the wheel was locked. Had to get towed to the local Chevy dealer. It needed a new cylinder and ignition switch and then new keys made to fit. Total cost was $700, hoping you can find someone to do it cheaper for you.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Jul 8, 2024 at 04:12 AM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 5
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its just strange to never have an issue and then just all the sudden the ignition won’t turn definitely don’t wanna spend more money to tow it to Chevy and pay for the ignition towed it home already was hoping just the ignition switch was bad.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Jul 8, 2024 at 04:12 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 46
Likes: 39
From: Cape Cod
Thankfully I had AAA because I had it towed 3 times in two days. First time was from the car show to home which is 50 miles. Then the next day was from home to my mechanic for another 50 miles. He was concerned about working on it because of the VATS so another tow to the dealer but only 10 miles. My car has always been perfect until this happened suddenly.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Jul 8, 2024 at 04:13 AM.
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Just saying tire was prefect stopped in a store a came out flat tire. Same as a battery. Things happen.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I had this exact same thing happen to me last summer in my 04' when we were leaving a car show. It was difficult getting the key into the the ignition, actually felt a little crunchy. Once the key was in it wouldn't turn at all and the wheel was locked. Had to get towed to the local Chevy dealer. It needed a new cylinder and ignition switch and then new keys made to fit. Total cost was $700, hoping you can find someone to do it cheaper for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
I don't know what shop you went to, but I wouldn't have them work on your car. If the key will not turn in the Ignition switch its a busted key cylinder. You or someone else will have to pull the Ignition switch and take it to a locksmith so he can replace the key cylinder.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2024
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Tried starting my car the key wouldn’t go in fully at first. Then went in but won’t turn the ignition, steering column is locked. I believe I’ve had the recall done for that. I’ve tried to move the steering wheel back and forth with the key in with the key out ect… also have tried my spare key nothing is working.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I would take a look at 5:14 in this video and he explains about the steering column locking problem.
https://youtu.be/kry_fsQntJI?si=56fVmDgCT_RXMsOf
https://youtu.be/kry_fsQntJI?si=56fVmDgCT_RXMsOf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
Ignition switches sometimes fail suddenly as you have experienced, there is a small switch at the end of the Ignition switch so the car knows that the key is in the Ignition switch. So nothing else will happen if you can't rotate the key to the On or start position.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
As a possible temp repair, squirt some CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner in the key hole. My switch was giving me problems not starting the car. I used the CRC and it cleaned whatever. Had a new switch put in last month. It took the 4th one to work. I now carry CRC in the car.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
As a possible temp repair, squirt some CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner in the key hole. My switch was giving me problems not starting the car. I used the CRC and it cleaned whatever. Had a new switch put in last month. It took the 4th one to work. I now carry CRC in the car.
i didn’t know that the steering wheel would still be locked saying that dash lights up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I did not put the switch in myself. My go to mechanic did. Others may be able to answer your question.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
Off course your steering wheel is locked because your not able to turn the key to the On position, remember that the steering wheel on our cars is unlocked electrically. There is no programing associated with the switch, you do have to use your old key or buy a new one with the same resistance value your present one has. The small pellet on the key is a resistor, and there are 15 different resistance values for the C5.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,289
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From: Somewhere out there
You have a worn ignition cylinder, and the steering wheel is turned and bound up against the lock pin. Jiggle the steering wheel while turning the key and you'll get it where youre going.