My 1994 Toyota Corolla wagon has a problem. I drove to work, all seemed fine. I jumped in it in the afternoon, and my key won’t go in the ignition - it gets half way in, and that’s it. It feels like the key is bumping into something into the ignition lock cylinder. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve sprayed some WD-40 into the lock cylinder, thinking maybe the pins were jammed. If that is the case, it hasn’t helped. Zero improvement. This originally happened when it was really cold out, so I’ve waited and tried it again on a warm (40 degree) day - no change (though my door lock and ignition have been more stubborn in the cold in the past, but only marginally so).
So, what are my options?
I guess you can’t (easily) replace the lock cylinder without the key in the “on” or “acc” position (which I obviously cannot do). I’m not opposed to using a screwdriver as the key, or hot-wiring the car, but don’t want to take drastic (or stupid) steps before being sure I don’t have other choices…
Thoughts?
Did you try pulling right and left on the steering wheel while you try to insert the key ? Have you ticked off anyone to the point they would squirt superglue in the lock ? If wiggling the wheel doesn’t work I would try to find out who the best locksmith in the area is and go talk to them.
Yeah, the wheel turns ok - tried pulling left and right. Sounds like the locksmith then - thanks.
Does this car have a raised area around where the key goes in? If so try grabbing hold of it & jiggling it back & forth then try inserting your key.
It does not have a raised area like you mention - the ignition is aligned with the dashboard, not the steering column.
So far it sounds like a locksmith drilling out the ignition lock cylinder is my only option. Is this something a handy, but inexperienced, person should attempt? The car is almost not worth the few hundred dollars a locksmith would charge (except for the new tires…).
Have you made sure the transmission is in “Park”? Do you have another copy of the key you could try? Before you drill it, try tapping the key with a small mallet, making sure it is going in straight.
Its a manual transmission, so it being in park isn’t the issue. I don’t have another copy of a key locally (I’m stuck in Detroit, my home is in CO). I’ve played with the key (tapping, wiggling, finessing) so much I’m very convinced there is nothing wrong with the key - it’s going in straight. When the key is about 2/3’s in, I feel it start to grind against something, and it stops. If I start to force it I can get the key 3/4’s in, but that’s it - I haven’t tried whacking it with a hammer to force it the rest of the way, but maybe that’s next if the damage is already done.
Thanks for the ideas so far.
My old toyota truck wouldn’t accept the key today, shortly after it was just driven.
The key would barely go in a quarter inch.
So I just poked in a very short ways with a slim knife and wiggled it. Something moved.
I shot a small WD40 burst in in hopes of loosening.
Now the key enters and turns more smoothly than before.
WD-40 is not a lubricant. You are better off using silicone spray or a dedicated lock lubricant. WD-40 was designed to disperse moisture. It leaves a film behind but it does not lubricate very effectively.
This is my preferred lock lubricant:
To proactively lube my car locks I use those little short pencils you get at golf courses and libraries. I rub the lead (actually it is mostly graphite) along the key surfaces then insert and remove the key a few times. I do this once or month or so, never have had any key/ignition lock problems since I started doing that. I had to deal w/ a door lock problem one time , so I should probably do the same thing for the door locks.
Welcome to the forum…
Graphite should be used to lube your locks…
And I have been known to smack the end of a key with a small hammer to get it to work… remember you are not trying to drive a nail in a wall, just jarring the tumblers enough to move…
I buy powdered graphite in a squeeze bottle at the home goods store. Works great for lubricant all the locks in my home.