XJS ( X27 ) 1975 - 1996 3.6 4.0 5.3 6.0

ignition switch does not turn

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Old Oct 8, 2014 | 03:36 PM
  #1  
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Default ignition switch does not turn

Hi,
I am very surprised at my problem but here goes. All three of my ignition keys goes into the ignition cylinder but the cylinder does not turn. The steering wheel is not locked and I can move it a few degrees. In all my other cars if the steering wheel is in a certain position the ign key would not turn but when I move the steering wheel the ign key turns. I do not know if this happens on the XJS BUT this is not the problem this time. What can it be?
The car was in a parking garage so I guess the imbecile who went to get my car did something to it. I refused to let them park my car and they agreed to that but they would not let me retrieve it.
Please help!
Jomo

Update. I shined a light into the key cylinder and it looks like there is something stuck
in there! Any idea how to get it out?
If I replaced the cylinder with a matching set of keys will that be enough to get the car started or will the car say it is the wrong key and not start?
 

Last edited by jomo; Oct 8, 2014 at 04:23 PM.
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Old Oct 8, 2014 | 04:48 PM
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hmmm 1995....isn't that a tibbe key? Those things wear out really fast, but if you have 3 ignition keys, not valet or whatever else, and they don't work, obviously the problem is the ignition cylinder. The guy probably hasn't seen a key like that and put it in wrong or turned it at the wrong point.

Really inspect the keys and make sure they are all cut the same still and really make sure the steering lock isn't binding up.

To my knowledge there aren't any resistors or anything, a new ignition would get it running again.
 
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Old Oct 9, 2014 | 07:22 AM
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Hi,
OK here is what I did. Knowing that the cylinder was shot unless I tried to really forcefully turn the key I attached my key to my vice grips and tried to turn it but no luck. Then I hit that vice grip/key into the cylinder and tried once more to turn the key and it worked. But it was not the smoothest turning of the cylinder that I have ever seen but after a few turns it is nice and smooth turning and I am back on the road again!
Jomo
 
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Old Oct 9, 2014 | 11:27 AM
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thats great man, be sure to spray a bit of dry lube in there to make sure everything is moving smoothly and not sticking
 
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