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Followup To
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Followup To
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Put the key in the ignition but it will not turn to the onor off position. The wheel is locked and I have tried moving it back and forth slightly while trying to turn the key to no avail. I am able to shift into neutral, the car rolls but the key stil will not turn. Any help appreciated.
Answer -
Hi Paul,
Before tearing into the steering column, I would suggest trying to use a spare ignition key just in case the old key is worn to the point that the pins are not being moved properly to the unlock position. Also if you have a tube of powdered graphite grease try putting a bit on the key and maybe puffing some into the lock opening if the tube is a squeezeable type so that we give the lock itself a chance to free up. Let me know if that doesn't do it, let me know and we'll go over how to either remove the lock cylinder or verify that the interlock safety cable isn't the source of your problem.
Roland I have tried a second key and have had no sucsess it does appear that their may be a problem between the safety interlock, If I remember correctly the shifter should not shift when the car is parked but it does. Any other sugjestions on how to trouble shoot the problem?
Answer -
Hi Paul,
Unfortunately I don't have the shop manual for the Sebring, The only thing close is for the Cirrus/Status for '96 which may or may not be applicable to your car. I note that there is a cable that relates the shifter to the lock mechanism, and if one removes the shrouds on the column, that cable is accessible and can be disconnected from the lock mechanism by pressing on a locking tab at that junction.
Whether you have to remove the steering wheel to access that part of the column is an unknown to me. But if that were the case, be sure to disconnect the battery before taking off the air bag module, and then remove the wheel, etc. I would suggest that you might want to get a Haynes manual for the car, if not the Chrysler shop manual, for the real story. But I suspect that the shifter has become disconnected from the cable, so you might want to check at the floor shift to see if that is the case, too. Maybe if you could get the other end of the cable reattached if it is indeed detached would also unlock the lock mechanism.
One last idea, if you haven't tried yet, why not move the tilt mechanism up or down just in case that might free up the situation of the cable and the lock?
Let me know how you resolve this.
Roland
Roland, to make a long story short I got hosed, I called the dealer about a recall on the interlock and shifter and he asured me that the problem I was having was involved in the recall. So I had the car towed their only to get a call that it was not the recall but the key cylinder was defective (of course the warenty expired 6 weeks aggo)it would be 120.00 for the part and 190 labor. Realize that I cant drive the car as is so I had the work done, having them keep the old part for me. Indead the cylinder was stuck but after working a little wd40 on it it appears to work fine. So now Im stuck with a330.00 bill and a spare key cylinder.
Live and learn Paul
Live and learn...
AnswerHi Paul,
Thanks for the report. I am saddened by what happened at the dealer. I would have hoped they would have tried to lubricate the cylinder first. I will pass along this experience to others who write asking about a similar situation. At least someone else might avoid the unnecessary repair.
Roland
