el jefe

Yesterday, i inserted my key to fire up and the key would not turn. Neither forward to the on position, nor back to the accessory position. I twisted the key a little trying to turn it forward and was able to twist it back by turning toward the acc. position, but got no physical movement either direction. So I called the dealer and a wrecker service and went to leave the key in the fuel door, but decided to try one last time. It worked. It's worked like normal today. Has anyone else had trouble with theirs. I don't want to pay the dealer 138 and some change in labor to replace it, but don't want to get stranded either. Has anyone replaced it themselves.

blownaway

Sounds like a dumb question but did you mistake it for a different key from another Dodge, used to happen in my shop all the time, or maybe a tumbler was just stuck so removing and re-installing the key knocked it loose.

Fronty Owner

happens quite frequently if you park with your wheels turned, when the power steering pump drops pressure, the wheels steer back a little. this can put the steering lock in a bind. turn your wheel just a bit when your key doesn't turn and it should..

el jefe

No , I only have one vehicle(and one set of keys) and the wheels were not in a bind. It has acted similarly when the wheels were in a bind, but like you said Fronty, all I had to do was turn the wheel a little. This time the wheels were not in a bind but I tried moving them back and forth anyways, the key would not budge. I'm a courier for a company so I do cycle the ignition quiet a bit but have never had this problem before with any vehicle. I guess I was wondering if anybody else has had similar trouble with their 3G.

Hounddog

First try a little wd40.

MikeyB

Nooooo....... WD40 will dry up and leave a gummy film behind. Better to use dry graphite powder.

MikeyB

Hounddog

NO! dry graphite power has metal in it.Has been known to short igntion switchs.Keys that contain a chip it screws the signal up and after use with dry graphite they won't START again until switch replaced.Have had G.M.s towed in for no start conditions and just had dry graphite used,(did TWO in our own shop)it killed the switch. Wd40 may leave a residue but I've used it for years and it always made switch's work slick.

FiverBob

I think the diagnosis of steering wheel bind is right on. Just pull or push that wheel a bit while gently turning the key. Should do it.

MikeyB

Hounddog,
That is true for the GM passive resistor setup. But not for Dodges.

MikeyB

kry226

So use a silicone spray lube instead of the dry graphite or wd40.

By the way, I think it's time for a new ignition switch.

el jefe

I appreciate the help guys, but like I said, it definitely wasn't in a bind and had worked flawlessly since. I wasn't even touching the wheel when I finally got it to work. The truck was parked on level ground with the wheels dead straight. I'm just curious now as to whether anyone has replaced theirs and if so how hard was it to do.
Thanks again, Scott

030303

Is the key worn enough where it isn't making good contact with the tumblers?

bubba33

I have had mine replaced it was getting stuck

el jefe

The key appears okay, but it was suggested by the service writer I spoke with to get some new ones made. Before that, my dad said I should try using my spare. I haven't had any trouble since Monday so I guess I'll wait and see what happens.
Thanks again for the suggestion and if anyone has personally replaced one, chime in with some tips or tricks. If it's easy enough I'll just do it myself and get it over with.
Scott