Key Won't Turn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: St. Robert Missouri
Key Won't Turn
This has happend twice.....
Put the key in the ignition (tried both keys) and the key would not turn. The steering wheel would turn just fine. Yes it was fully in park. (this is an A4) No amount of prayers or cussing helped. As it was being hoisted up onto a rollback wrecker the tow driver tapped on the ignition switch, no luck. Then he reinserted the key and tapped on the key. It started. It has been to the dealer and they can find no problem and it started for them numerous times. No codes or messages on the DIC. Runs great. Anyone had a similar problem or circumstance???
Put the key in the ignition (tried both keys) and the key would not turn. The steering wheel would turn just fine. Yes it was fully in park. (this is an A4) No amount of prayers or cussing helped. As it was being hoisted up onto a rollback wrecker the tow driver tapped on the ignition switch, no luck. Then he reinserted the key and tapped on the key. It started. It has been to the dealer and they can find no problem and it started for them numerous times. No codes or messages on the DIC. Runs great. Anyone had a similar problem or circumstance???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: St. Robert Missouri
Originally Posted by quimbo
Dirty chip on key thats your problem happened to me with my 98 clean the chip off with some electrical contact cleaner and a soft rag
QUIMBO
SEEYAAAH
QUIMBO
SEEYAAAH
Thank's 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The key CHIP has NOTHING to do with keeping the key from turning! You have a column lock issue or a ignition cylinder lock issue! Getting the dealer to see the problem can be a royal PITA!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 500
From: Hilton NY
There is a small cable that connects the key lock to the shifter, you can see it if the console is removed. I don't know if it can prevent turn on but it can prevent key removal. If the console is removed you can unclip this cable and see if the key works; it is located toward the front of the shifter and looks like a black wire.
