Hey guys no biggie but lately when you insert the key into my ignition the key won't turn its acting like when you lock the wheel and than put the key in and it won't move without you holding the wheel...hopefully you understand if not I'll probably have you guys....searched for similar problems to no avail...

 

Have you seen if the car is in well put in park? How about actually "holding the wheel"? Check the key though, which is the most likely cause! Any small chip or imperfection in the key will cause problems too.

 

Those are the first things I checked when it started doing it....first was that the steering wheel but it wasn't locked...second shifter was fully seated in park...than tryed both keys....no big deal but I'm afraid I'm going to get stuck somewhere...and than when someone comes to pick the car up it works!!! We all know how these cars work...try to make us look dumb and all!!!

 

Well, the cars are so smart it's hard for us to look any other way! Could be the key cylinder, but boy would that be rare!

 

Yeah...I'd take it to the dealer but the guys that learn how to fix cars wouldn't be able to figure it out! Heard of anyone else complaining about this biggie?

 

Mine does that too. I kinda pull back on the key just a hair and it turns every time. I've gotten used to it now...

 

Well, I use to have a house key that I'd have to slightly pull out for it to work. I also have the magic stick that I pull out to make sure that it DOESN'T work![&:] Sorry mate, never heard of this before you two guys posted it.

 

Spray a small amount of WD-40 or Tri-Flo into your ignition then run the key in and out a bunch of times. Make sure you wigle the key a lot immediately after spraying so the lubricant coats all the parts inside the igntion cylinder. This should help your problem.

I used to be a locksmith for 6 1/2 years and that is the best way to maintain an iginition.

 

Great idea tokay...never even thought of that! Welcome BTW!

 

Hi guys, I've heard of a few similar problems on another site, and tokay's got it bang on. Give it a go n see how you get on.

Jim

 

Thanks that was my next option if it keeps doing it I just thought I'd see if there were more things I should start expecting after that problem!!! Usually when one thing starts going 3 other things linked to that go as well!
I'll be trying some lube but not wd40 as far as the smell goes I'll keep that out of the equation....I like not having a air freshener in my car to make it smell good/new....

 

I have the same problem. They say the lock cylinder has failed, need a new one. 2003 X-type.

 

I used to be a locksmith as well, and I tell people never to spray WD40 into locks.

It might help for a bit, but the oil attracts all dirt, gubt, fluff and crap deep into the locks mechanisim. It can also cause a vacuumm effect where the levers/wafers inside the lock get stuck sucked.

But hey, everyone has an opinion huh. Personally, the only thing Id be puttng in a lock is graphite.