Key won't turn

[bluesboyst]

Started my car and moved it out the garage and shut it off in the driveway. Hour later put the key in the ignition and it won't turn...tired the spare key, same issue. What is up with this?

[Spectragod]

Turn your steering wheel, sounds like it’s against the lock


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[MyBlackBeasts]

Or the tumbler puked. Not a fun job when the key doesn't turn.

I've got my fingers crossed for you that steering pressure has the lock pinned like Spectragod said. GL!

[bluesboyst]

Marauders don't have a locking steering wheel....I even tried to push up the release button that is on the ignition switch...No Luck :(
if the tumblers are gone... How do you take out the ignition switch?

[musclemerc]

The steering wheel locks.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Marauders don't have a locking steering wheel....I even tried to push up the release button that is on the ignition switch...No Luck :(
if the tumblers are gone... How do you take out the ignition switch?

It locks internally when you turn tumbler to the position to remove key.

Occasionally when shutting engine off the steering wheel return force will tightly trap the locking pin. (This happens with many cars ever since the pin wheel lock design was implemented many decades ago)

Grab the steering wheel firmly and try to turn it slightly back & forth while trying to turn the key.

If that doesn't work, 99.999% the tumbler puked.

Replacing the tumbler when the key can be turned is a DIY job.

Replacing the tumbler when key doesn't turn is a job for a professional.

Good luck!

[bluesboyst]

I can turn my steering wheel even with the key out of the ignition.......Is this not suppose to be like that ?
I did some reading in the owner manual and it states that in ignition position 3


2. LOCK, locks automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows key removal.

3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories without locking the steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal being depressed.

I wonder if somehow I was able to pull the key out in this position 3. I am going to try moving the shift lever....

[justbob]

My wheel has never locked.


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[bluesboyst]

Thanks, At least I know that I am not the only one that can turn the wheel even with the key out.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Thanks, At least I know that I am not the only one that can turn the wheel even with the key out.

If your steering wheel turns, then the tumbler puked.

The tumbler is retained in the column by a detent pin, the pin will only release when the tumbler is in the run position.

This is why a tumbler replacement is easy if the key turns.

When the key doesn't turn, it requires a lot of cutting, drilling which is best done by a professional that knows how to do it and prevent damaging the column causing it to have to be replaced.

Good luck!

[justbob]

BTW I have read on here numerous times and seen other examples in person of non locking steering wheels.

Maybe yet another ‘03/‘04 difference?

But google shows a few in the past with your issue as needing a new cylinder.


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[Spectragod]

My ‘04 wheel locked, maybe mine was a 1 off, seems to happen to me more often than not


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[offroadkarter]

My ‘04 wheel locked, maybe mine was a 1 off, seems to happen to me more often than not


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I've certainly had mine lock before in my 04, I never tried to lock it in the 03

[bluesboyst]

I will be calling a locksmith this week. Now if the lock cylinder has to be drilled out the tumblers are ruined of course. Can the new lock cylinder be rekeyed to use the old keys? Can it be rekeyed just from the original keys?

[MyBlackBeasts]

BTW I have read on here numerous times and seen other examples in person of non locking steering wheels.

Maybe yet another ‘03/‘04 difference?

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I never paid attention to mine, just assumed it locked like every car since the mid 70's.

Now I'll have to check it to see.

[EMAS]

Yes a locksmith can get an unkeyed lock cylinder and key it to your existing key.

However before you go down that route try some lube and wiggling, jiggling and tapping the the key to see if you can get it to turn. Then you can release the pin and remove the cylinder yourself, then take you key to the locksmith and have them put together and new cylinder for you to take home and pop in.

[Invective]

Yes a locksmith can get an unkeyed lock cylinder and key it to your existing key.

However before you go down that route try some lube and wiggling, jiggling and tapping the the key to see if you can get it to turn. Then you can release the pin and remove the cylinder yourself, then take you key to the locksmith and have them put together and new cylinder for you to take home and pop in.


Available at hardware stores everywhere.
https://i.imgur.com/2VwXRYjl.jpg

[Turbov6Bryan]

None of my marauders have a locking steering wheel.
none of the ones I've parted out had a locking steering wheel.

[Turbov6Bryan]

The same thing happened to my brother-in-law's Saturn the key was worn out. Have you tried another key?

[Fastbob]

Turn the key over and try it again.

[MyBlackBeasts]

The same thing happened to my brother-in-law's Saturn the key was worn out. Have you tried another key?

He did, same issue.

[bluesboyst]

Problem solved. Called AAA and they sent out a locksmith... Drilled out the ignition cylinder, I gave him the keys and re-keyed the new cylinder to the old keys....took about an hour.
AAA payed the first 100.00 so I only had to cough up 125.00.... Not bad.....
Advanced Lock and Key out of Brockton MA..... they do great work.
:banana2:

[blazen71]

https://i.pinimg.com/600x315/53/05/83/530583e79e4fc7f75855995d511e18 5c.jpg

[bluesboyst]

All is good. Thanks for all the info.....

[MyBlackBeasts]

Problem solved. Called AAA and they sent out a locksmith... Drilled out the ignition cylinder, I gave him the keys and re-keyed the new cylinder to the old keys....took about an hour.
AAA payed the first 100.00 so I only had to cough up 125.00.... Not bad.....
Advanced Lock and Key out of Brockton MA..... they do great work.
:banana2:

Awesome!!! Great to hear! Now get out there and drive that car! :-)

[Marauderjack]

https://i.pinimg.com/600x315/53/05/83/530583e79e4fc7f75855995d511e18 5c.jpg

Hey Dave.......I don't think mine (yours) locked either.......does it??:confused:

[MyBlackBeasts]

I finally got around to checking, my MM steering wheel does not lock. As it's a basic anti-theft feature in cars since the mid 70's I think I just figured it did. I wonder why Ford stopped using it???

[Marauderjack]

I never could figure out the purpose of a locking steering wheel.......was it so a thief couldn't steer it and crash....beats me??:confused:

[Invective]

I finally got around to checking, my MM steering wheel does not lock. As it's a basic anti-theft feature in cars since the mid 70's I think I just figured it did. I wonder why Ford stopped using it???

This is why.

https://www.popalock.com/franchise/charlotte-county-fl/local-locksmith-blog/understanding-transponder-key-systems/

[Invective]

I never could figure out the purpose of a locking steering wheel.......was it so a thief couldn't steer it and crash....beats me??:confused:


The feature was rolled out across the 1969-1970 model years in American cars to reduce theft. Key transponders were introduced in 1985 on Corvettes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering_column

[Marauderjack]

Still not much of a deterrent since you can break the locking pawl fairly easily!!:rolleyes:

[MyBlackBeasts]

This is why.

https://www.popalock.com/franchise/charlotte-county-fl/local-locksmith-blog/understanding-transponder-key-systems/

PATS is no help when the towtruck backs up to it and drives off with it.

Typical short sighted thinking. Pull in slot, turn wheel all the way to one side and lock steering wheel and the miscreant will go look for an easier mark.

My Impala SS has both - far better thinking.

Moron engineers.

Thanks for the info!

[Invective]

PATS is no help when the towtruck backs up to it and drives off with it.

Typical short sighted thinking. Pull in slot, turn wheel all the way to one side and lock steering wheel and the miscreant will go look for an easier mark.

My Impala SS has both - far better thinking.

Moron engineers.

Thanks for the info!


The law of averages will prevail. Necessity is the mother of invention?

https://i.imgur.com/6UZ65rtl.png

[justbob]

PATS is no help when the towtruck backs up to it and drives off with it.

Typical short sighted thinking. Pull in slot, turn wheel all the way to one side and lock steering wheel and the miscreant will go look for an easier mark.

My Impala SS has both - far better thinking.

Moron engineers.

Thanks for the info!

Been there, took that.. [emoji6]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191107/e00659f3961f83bfead7bb9b62af2d ba.jpg


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