Can't start my car; key won't turn

[SideShow Bob]

Don’t know if it has been mentioned, but did you have the wheels turned and parked facing up or down hill and not set the parking brake before letting your foot off the brake pedal?

Doing this, even with the wheels slightly turned can put pressure on the column lock. Try pulling the steering wheel one way then the other while trying to turn the key.

[rondog]

Many moons ago, my mother learned the lesson of "too much shit on your key ring will wear out your ignition switch".

I paid attention and took that lesson to heart. The one I use, is minimal. The spare I carry in my backpack, has all the extra shit.

[rondog]

Also years ago, my stepson had a car that just suddenly wouldn't start - dead as a hammer, nothing. I worked on that bastard for hours, to no avail.

Sitting in the driver's seat, angry at the last failed key turn, I smacked the floor shifter in frustration - and heard a click - then it started right up.

Damn shifter wasn't all the way into Park. And I worked on that pig for hours. Made my ass red.....

[Justin]

Ended up calling a locksmith.

He said that there's a bar in the unit that gets worn out over time, and that mine was pretty worn down and had a lot of metal shavings. He fixed it, and suggested I switch to using my spare key as the primary.

Seems to work fine now.

[ChickNorris]

: )

[Gman]

Ended up calling a locksmith.

He said that there's a bar in the unit that gets worn out over time, and that mine was pretty worn down and had a lot of metal shavings. He fixed it, and suggested I switch to using my spare key as the primary.

Seems to work fine now.

How difficult is it to get another fresh key cut from the spare?

[rondog]

"Like button".....

[Justin]

How difficult is it to get another fresh key cut from the spare?

He offered to do it for me, no idea how well that would work.

The spare that is now my primary is one that I had the Honda dealership make for me a few years ago, and that cost around $100.

[Gman]

Basically I was looking toward what's the backup to your 'spare' that has now become the primary?

Best to cut a key from the spare while it's still fresh and unworn.

Maybe it's just me being a Boy Scout.

(Disclaimer...I was never in the Scouts, but try to be prepared)

[eddiememphis]

Most dealers can build you a new cylinder. You can look up the key code from the VIN if it has never been changed or a good parts guy can build one from reading the key.

I have seen the opposite of your problem. So gunked up the pins stay in place and you can turn the cylinder with any key or flat bit of metal.

Or the tech brings one in that won't turn. Tear it apart and there is the very tiny end of a key broken off in it. Saw one that had a cigarette filter stuffed deep into it. I think that was a Charger owned by a Denver Nugget. That guy lost keys like i've never seen. I sold him six key fobs in one season. He had my direct line.