# Ignition switch key will not turn **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** neon, dodge\ **Created:** [October 7, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209 "2025-10-07T16:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/1 "2025-10-07T16:54:45Z")
2005 dodge neon. This was a problem a few months ago. The cable going from ignition to shifter was the problem. I removed the cable at the ignition, and it worked perfect. Till today. Again, the key will not move either way. Is it the ignition this time? is it something else? The starter sol has been going bad I assume for a while. once in a great while I have to lightly tap on the solonoid to get it to turn over. i assume not related. I have been planning to soon take off and get tested at auto zone. i started a new topic because the old one i could not find ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/2 "2025-10-07T18:44:46Z")
> [@Neon ignition switch won’t turn to lock](https://community.cartalk.com/t/neon-ignition-switch-won-t-turn-to-lock/201184): > > Car starts runs fine. Everything works. Key just won’t turn to lock. Key can’t be pulled out. Steering does not lock. Have to unplug battery if sitting for a king time. I assume it’s a bad switch. Last time you said it won’t turn to lock, this time you said it will not turn… Does it turn any?? or doing the same as last time and won’t turn to lock?? ---
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/3 "2025-10-07T22:10:47Z")
you are right. it’s been so long i didn’t not recall exactly. My memory sucks. Then it did not shut off, and I had to disconnect the battery if sitting a long time until I removed that cable. Now it just does not move anywhere. Key does not turn at all now. So, do you think i need a new switch? their cheap like 20 ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/4 "2025-10-07T22:36:24Z")
Sounds like you need a new lock cylinder… Try spraying a little WD-40 (for now) on the key and then working it in the lock cylinder, maybe even wrap the end of the key with the handle of a big screw driver to see if that helps, if so then you either need to add some lock cylinder graphite to it or replace the lock cylinder, I would remove it and see if it frees up and nothing i the column is keeping it from working… As I said in the other thread, I don’t remember the details, but I do remember Neon’s having an issue with the column needing repair… ---
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/5 "2025-10-09T01:10:32Z")
It has to be the key. I have 2 spare keys that came with the car. They will not work to run the car but today I tried them to turn and they did. It runs for a few seconds and dies. Either these keys are not programed or they cannot be. Also the spare keys are almost twice as wide as the original. So looks like I have to get AAA again to get towed and keys made and programmed. Or get a new ignition for $18 with 2 keys and get those keys programmed. Is it possible to get the car programmed not to need these keys at all? ---
**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:** [October 9, 2025, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/6 "2025-10-09T01:21:37Z")
Insert the “spare key” into the ignition, place the handle of the registered key next to the handle of the spare key while cranking the engine. The engine should start allowing you to drive to a repair shop to have the ignition lock cylinder replaced. ---
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/7 "2025-10-09T22:22:45Z")
That is cool idea. I will try that tomorrow. Maybe even tape it on. ---
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/8 "2025-10-10T23:26:39Z")
That works perfect. Spare key in with the other key near by it keeps running. Now all I have to do is drive it to the dodge dealer and get keys made up. Thanks. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/9 "2025-10-11T00:15:47Z")
In the late 1990’s the local taxicab company mounted the key head near the immobilizer antenna on their cars, this allowed them to make and use 2 dozen common key blanks for $1 each. Years ago, a lock shop quoted me $75 to cut and registered a new key, seems like a lot for a $10 key blank. When I worked a Dodge dealer, they offered aftermarket key blanks for $25. Note that to register a new key, the PIN is needed. The lock shop can obtain the PIN via phone from a dealer. ---
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/10 "2025-10-13T21:00:26Z")
Dodge dealer here charged $90 for as many keys as you want within reason. ---
**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:** [October 14, 2025, 3:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/11 "2025-10-14T03:25:19Z")
How many keys did you ask for? How many did you get? ---
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/12 "2025-10-14T17:18:32Z")
4 keys total. thanks ---
**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:** [October 14, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/13 "2025-10-14T20:15:46Z")
They must be interested in disposing of the old key blanks (obsolete). I would expect them to charge at least $5 each for transponder key blanks. ---
**Author:** ![knocksensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@knocksensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knocksensor)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/14 "2025-10-15T19:05:41Z")
3 weeks I will be parking again for the winter along with the Mercedes. Then I just drive a couple Buicks. Lesabre for the most part and a park av for when I want a nicer car. Here in Wisconsin they spread this liquid craap on the roads every time they think me might have bad weather and it eats cars up. I heard shops have doubled brake line jobs since they started that. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/15 "2025-10-15T22:19:02Z")
Why not use something like Fluid Film, Surface Shield or Wool Wax etc etc etc, the bottom of your vehicle(s), or have a pro spray the coating to prevent rust… Most All the Tacoma guys that live in the rust belt all the way up into Canada area, a lot of these guys are hardcore off roaders and daily drive their rigs… I would think the guys on here would know of the best stuff to use on your car in your area… ---
**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:** [October 15, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/16 "2025-10-15T22:25:12Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > I would think the guys on here would know of the best stuff to use on your car in your area… For years they have claimed undercoating on a used vehicle to be ineffective and damaging, I don’t think they are familiar with modern products like Fluid Film. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-switch-key-will-not-turn/204209/17 "2025-10-15T22:38:13Z")
Yeah, the 1st gen and 2nd gen Tacoma guys learned to rust prevent after having to replace some of their frames… It’s getting that time a year again, so all the northern guys are talking about spraying the anti rust stuff under the vehicles, yeah it may be a gooey mess when you have to work on it, but for them it is worth it, I would assume they do all their vehicles that drive in winter… Heck most are even doing the A/C evaporator drain extended drain hose mod to keep from rusting the frame where it currently drains, even in the south, I will do it one day… lol