# 2008 Volkswagen Jetta - key or ignition?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** volkswagen, jetta-sedan\
**Created:** [January 11, 2020, 8:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304 "2020-01-11T08:27:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![KoryCrossman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d78d45/32.png) [@KoryCrossman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KoryCrossman)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 8:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304/1 "2020-01-11T08:27:38Z")

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when I put the key in the ignition it either will not turn or its so hard to turn that it seems like the key is going to break to get it to turn over. What is the problem?? Key or ignition???

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304/2 "2020-01-11T20:34:11Z")

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Could be both; don’t force it! Years ago I had a Ford with a cheap aluminum key and it broke as I was trying to start the car. I was laid up for 2 days on a trip until; the dealer could get it fixed.

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304/3 "2020-01-11T21:49:00Z")

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Could be related to the steering column lock. Try jiggling the steering wheel back and forth while you turn the key.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304/4 "2020-01-12T01:20:52Z")

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Do you have another key?

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304/5 "2020-01-12T02:02:47Z")

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I expect your key has worn enough to no longer properly fit the ignition lock. There’s some obvious things to try

- If the key the same top and bottom, flip it over, see if that helps.
- Try some graphite lube. Ignition switch dry lube is usually available at auto-parts stores. Or what I do is just rub a soft pencil lead – like those short pencils you get at golf courses and libraries – on the key surfaces.

I’m guessing you’ll end up having to replace all or parts of the ignition switch assembly.

To minimize the chance of this happening again keep your keys as clean as is practical. I put my keys into the dishwasher along with the dishes every few months.

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-jetta-key-or-ignition/156304/6 "2020-01-12T02:15:25Z")

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Sounds like the tumblers in the ignition lock cylinder are binding. Plan on replacing the ignition lock cylinder.