cannot turn the ignition key

[remigio]

good morning. i am a fairly new firsttime owner. so far, i have had no major issues with the car. i bought this 86 targa in july and so far so good. even took it on a road trip, no big problems to speak of. however, on a couple of occasions, the ignition key barrel would not turn, the last time being last night. on both occasions we solved it by jiggling the steering wheel.

obviously, the questions here then are, (1) is there a mechnical interlock between the ignition and the steering column and (2) if there is, is the interlock in my car going bad, or already bad?

i've had a few cars since i was eighteen and i've never had ANY ignition barrel freeze unless the wheels are at "the stops" hard left or hard right.

comments. advice?

thanks

remigio

[aigel]

The ignition lock also locks the steering column. Did you try to rotate the steering wheel either direction while trying to turn the key. Often the tires preload the steering to push in one direction, not allowing the ignition lock to unlock the steering column. What I am saying is that you should wiggle the wheel left and right while turning the key.

If that does not help, you will have to dig deeper into the mechanics of ignition lock and steering column.

Hope this helps.

George

[twistoffat]

The Key could be worn. Have you tried another key?

[JJ 911SC]

Did you ever had problem with the same key, locking/unlocking the doors?

How old is the car?

[pete3799]

The first thing i'd do is clean the tumblers. Spray some brake clean in the key slot (hold a rag under it to catch the drips) spray,insert key ,spray insert key until the fluid comes out clean. Then use Lock Ease or similar graphite lube. If you have a spare key try useing it.
I had the same problem and this plus using the spare key has solved it so far.

[kach22i]

I keep a can of PB Blaster or WD40 in the trunk (must have straw) for when this happens.

My suggestion is to put a large rag or towel on your lap/legs and wear shorts. That way the drips can be wiped up and you will not ruin yet another pair of pants.

I also leave the old towel on the floor to catch any drips over night.

It's a messy deal but replacing the assembly and re-keying the tumbler seems like another expensive time consuming project.

I like pete3799's suggestion but that graphite stuff seems to stay on my keys and get all over my clothes, even weeks after application. I'm going to try carb/choke cleaner and follow thru with PB Blaster next time I do this. I do this once or twice a year to keep the key demon at bay.

[HarryD]

My locks were balky when I got my car in 2002.

I used WD-40 to clean the gunk out followed by a shot of TriFlow Lube (as recomended by by Locksmith).

Voila! Smooth, easy operation.

Now, every 6 months I put a shot of TriFlow in the locks and I have had zero problems since.

[WIL84911]

Originally Posted by aigel

...try to rotate the steering wheel either direction while trying to turn the key.

+1. Happened to me the other day.. almost broke the key... I guess it comes with age (speaking for myself)..

[mschwien]

Mine was not easily returning back from the start position - WD-40 with rag underneath to catch the drippings - no further problems and that was over 2 years ago

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by mschwien

no further problems and that was over 2 years ago

You are about due for more problems then. Nip it in the bud and lube it up again just to be safe.

[313green]

when you remove the key, you will notice a small click (you'll hear it too).

i've found that if i remove the key too fast, the click doesn't happen.

the click is some sort of ignition mechanism.

once you get the key out, make sure you always remove it slowly (turn it all the way to the left so it's perfectly straight, then remove).

[aigel]

I would not lubricate key / tumblers with oils. Graphite only. Oils will attract gunk off the key and will gum up your lock in the long run. Graphite doesn't do this.

George

[RWebb]

yup. that's what I've always heard

but all the locksmiths around here seem to use TriFlow (Teflon) now


try to move the wheel to one side or the other as you try to turn the key

be sure not to break the key off in the lock...

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by aigel

I would not lubricate key / tumblers with oils. Graphite only. Oils will attract gunk off the key and will gum up your lock in the long run. Graphite doesn't do this.

George

I asked my locksmith about Graphite. His response was that I was free to use it and he is looking forward to seeing me in few years to clean out the mess. He felt pretty strongly about TriFlow.

[aigel]

Harry,

There was no tri-flow 25 years ago when I learned about graphite. I am sure there are better products out there now, I am just saying oil based lubricants will bind to the dirt / dust you insert with the key every day. I used graphite on all my classic cars and it worked flawlessly for years.

George

[na2ub]

Originally Posted by 313green

when you remove the key, you will notice a small click (you'll hear it too).

i've found that if i remove the key too fast, the click doesn't happen.

the click is some sort of ignition mechanism.

once you get the key out, make sure you always remove it slowly (turn it all the way to the left so it's perfectly straight, then remove).

+1 on this info. When I rip the key out in a hurry, I tend to have a tough time unlocking the ignition. I came to the exact same conclusion ast 313green. Maybe some triflow would improve this?

[HarryD]

George:

No problem my friend. I was a graphite guy for a very long time.

[dshepp806]

Tri flow, for sure.

Aside,..when exiting the car, ensure the wheels are lined up straight ahead (no wheel pressure on the locking stuff)...it's just a habit of mine,...then remove the key and slightly rock the steering wheel L or R....no binds.

Your locksmith is correct.

[dicklague]

any luck with these solutions Remigio?

[Quicksilver]

On my car if it is locked and the steering is preloaded the key won't turn. I just move the wheel to release pressure on the lock and the key frees up.

I had a friend let me drive their SC and the key wouldn't move until I turned the wheel till the wheel lock kicked in.