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just discovered my ignition key won't work in the doors

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Old 03-31-2010 | 11:14 AM
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westport's Avatar
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just discovered my ignition key won't work in the doors

i've had this truck for a couple weeks now and I was going to lock the doors as I've got some new shocks and a pitman arm inside that i'm going to install tomorrow. Went to lock the doors and thought I'd better check the key first in the door.
Well, it doesn't work. I only got one key with the truck so I'm wondering if the ignition has been swapped out sometime ago. Do I need to call a locksmith? Can they match the doors to the ignition key?
Old 03-31-2010 | 11:35 AM
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Good thing you checked. I didn't. Luckily I was able to open the sliding glass window and sweet talk a cute little lady into climbing through it (what a view!).
Old 03-31-2010 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver Ram
Good thing you checked. I didn't. Luckily I was able to open the sliding glass window and sweet talk a cute little lady into climbing through it (what a view!).

how'd you get yours fixed?
Old 03-31-2010 | 12:47 PM
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From: Liberty Hill, Tx
yeah i just have two keys one to get in and one to start. not the best setup but it works. i would like to know if it can be changed to match as well. you may be able to call dodge and have them send you a key for the doors. Not sure if they can do it or not but worth a call.
Old 03-31-2010 | 08:59 PM
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From: Sportsman's Paradise
A dealer should be able to cut you a new key using your vin. I'd give the local guy a call a see if he can help. I don't remember what it cost but it wasn't much. Another option would be to install aftermarket power locks with a remote or just the remote if you already have power locks. (I'd still want a key, just in case.)
Old 03-31-2010 | 10:15 PM
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From: Edmonton Alberta
should you lock your self out and have power locks, the antenna will unscrew and can easily be inserted in by the door rubber, and push on the unlock switch, works every time, and it saves a call to the locksmith should you lock your self out
Old 04-01-2010 | 06:16 AM
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From: Lubbock TX.
If you don't want 2 keys a locksmith should be able to rekey the thing to match.
Old 04-01-2010 | 08:31 AM
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From: lyman, utah
Originally Posted by nickg
should you lock your self out and have power locks, the antenna will unscrew and can easily be inserted in by the door rubber, and push on the unlock switch, works every time, and it saves a call to the locksmith should you lock your self out
that is useful information!!!! i have locked myself out more than once....my entry method was to pry open the rear slider
Old 04-01-2010 | 10:02 PM
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From: Valparaiso, IN
Originally Posted by nickg
should you lock your self out and have power locks, the antenna will unscrew and can easily be inserted in by the door rubber, and push on the unlock switch, works every time, and it saves a call to the locksmith should you lock your self out
I used that same method before and it works pretty well. I did get a strange look from the neighbor though, he watched me remove my antenna and break into my own truck while it was running with the dog inside. The dog locked me out, gotta train him to unlock the door...
Old 04-02-2010 | 03:57 PM
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From: Denver, Colorado
Originally Posted by westport
i've had this truck for a couple weeks now .... I only got one key with the truck so I'm wondering if the ignition has been swapped out sometime ago...
My 1998 has the original key which fits the ignition and the doors.
Old 04-02-2010 | 09:40 PM
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From: Evansville, In.
Originally Posted by westport
i've had this truck for a couple weeks now and I was going to lock the doors as I've got some new shocks and a pitman arm inside that i'm going to install tomorrow. Went to lock the doors and thought I'd better check the key first in the door.
Well, it doesn't work. I only got one key with the truck so I'm wondering if the ignition has been swapped out sometime ago. Do I need to call a locksmith? Can they match the doors to the ignition key?
If you're like me (and I know I am) I would pull one of the door locks and have a ket cut to work it. Then make sure the other one uses the same key. This will let you lock the doors and leave the truck running to warm up in really cold weather. You can have the cylinder changed to match the ignition key. I did that last summer and it ran about $20 for one cylinder at the locksmith. Personally, I'd use two keys, leave an extra ignition somewhere inside and hide an extra door key outside somewhere. The second will let you in if you lock yourself out but someone won't be able to use the truck without the ignition.
Old 04-04-2010 | 06:30 AM
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From: Pensacola, Fl
I feel your pain, I just got mine, the left door has been changed. The geniuses didn't pull the lock cylinder from the old door, so, my key fits the ignition and right door.....why????? Do people not think??? This is easy stuff, now I gotta fix this, too.
Old 04-06-2010 | 09:15 AM
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Quick update, I found the key to the door. The guy I bought the truck from gave me three keys. At the time i assumed they were all the same. The key for the ignition looks like a copy. The door key has the chrysler emblem in it. So I'm guessing they replaced the ignition module sometime in the trucks life.
At least I've got some keys I can use for now until I can get to someone to commonize.
Old 04-09-2010 | 06:39 AM
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From: Cresco,Pa
Originally Posted by DragonSlayer
I feel your pain, I just got mine, the left door has been changed. The geniuses didn't pull the lock cylinder from the old door, so, my key fits the ignition and right door.....why????? Do people not think??? This is easy stuff, now I gotta fix this, too.

Haha,

Yea i have the same exact thing. I lock my doors and i need to go inthrough the passenger side.
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