# Won't start?--check the KEY!

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-check-the-key/73315>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 30, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-check-the-key/73315 "2012-06-30T19:08:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lllisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@lllisa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lllisa)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-check-the-key/73315/1 "2012-06-30T19:08:07Z")

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Whenever I hear someone call in and say their car won’t start unless they go crazy jumping around and jiggling the key, or they have problems getting the key out of the ignition, I yell at the radio, “Check the key! Check the KEY first!”  
I had this problem with my '98 Honda Accord, and took it to my brilliant mechanic. There was talk of “replacing the steering column” (!!!$$$!!!) or replacing the ignition switch, but he had the presence of mind to LOOK AT THE KEY ITSELF, and saw that _the teeth were worn down to almost nothing_! He got a new key made at the dealer ($30)–problem SOLVED!