OK folks, I need help here - and once you read this you may think I really need help (psych ward).

Here is the issue - I can't tell if my second generation truck is picking on my wifes third gen, or vice-versa. Those of you with a late model second gen are probably familiar with the two screw holes in the back of the steering wheel. Well, every now and then the key to our '03 will stick into that hole while I am driving the '01. This "locks" the steering wheel and is quite alarming when not expected. Since I am actively driving, I force the wheel to the position I need it to avoid catastrophe. This usually bends the '03 key to about 45 degrees. Is this the '01 showing disdain towards the '03 by destroying offending trucks key? or is the '03 trying to cause me to wreck the '01 so I'll drive IT more often?

This "game" came to a frustrating head this week. While turning right at the square in Glen Rose, I was straightening out the wheel and heard a loud POP in the cab. The radio died, heater stopped, and the truck sputtered to a stop. I was able to coast to the side of the road and start immediate panic mode. I couldn't for the life of me identify what kind of failure this was! I started feeling around the dash (it was dark) and couldn't identify what had happened. It suddenly dawned on me that everything had stopped, just like the truck had been switched off. Sure enough, when I checked the ignition switch it was in the off position, and the '03 key was really bent! Truck was started and off we went.

What is going on here? Oh yeah, when I got home I immediately got some duct tape and covered the two holes in the back of the steering wheel. My wife thinks that I have lost my mind......

 

Deedle deedle, deedle deedle, deedle deedle. Sounds like you're driving in the Twilight Zone.

 

Another great use of duct tape!!!

Well, you may be right.
My truck, when it gets close to the third gen trucks belches a lot of smoke on it like it does with the other brands!!!!
And of course it acts very meek around the 12 valves too.

What is going on with these trucks??

 

LOL, Jfox, your truck obviously respects it elders........

Yea, mine acts all goofy when I haven't driven her for awhile.

 

Take the '03 key off of the key ring and put it in the glovebox of your wifes truck.If it still finds its way to "the hole" you'll know the truck is possesed and you need to get a priest or something to call out the evil spirits.
I stayed in Glen Rose for awhile while working near there...nice little town.

 

Man, do you have one of those key rings with 20lbs of keys on it or what. I figure, I can only drive one vehicle at at time so have the keys for each vehicle on separate key ring.

Now, if the keys somehow magically find their way from your house and into the steering wheel to jam it up, you'd better call an excorcist.

 

THat's funny. There was a service bulletin re: just this event a few years back. I think my dad's 94 got a different backer on the steering wheel or something.

Kurt

 

It all goes to show you what can happen when companies like Daimler and Cerberus run the show. Dr. Z was Satan, you know.

 

How about moving the 3rd gen key on the key ring? When I still had my ranger, its key would get stuck in those holes in the back of the steering wheel and kill the truck. Key was bent up pretty good. I (re)moved the key and it was all well.

FWIW, I had and still have about 8 other Ford Keys on my key ring, so its not a Dodge/Ford rivalry, as the dodges are still outnumbered.

 

I'd put some caulking in the holes.
The early 12 valves had a recall for a similar problem except it was extra keys getting stuck in the crack between the steering wheel and the cowling.

If you file a complaint here http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ and enough other people have it will force Chrysler to make a fix and recall.
Considering their financial problems the fix may very well be duct tape.

 

my other 93 thats turned up runs 1 pound more boost when running beside my buddy stroke and were raceing around town

 

WHAT???

 

Kinda like a Horse will always run faster when it is running next to another horse......