QuestionQUESTION: Recently drove across town, parked and when I got back in
the key would not turn in the ignition. Tried several times
over a 1-1/2 hr period. Took a taxi home and came back with
a spare key that I just had made. That key was able to turn
in the ignition. When I got home the original key worked
again.
I am suspicious of the "chip." That either the
chip/resistor in the original factory key that failed has
gone bad or their was some sort of e-m or r-f interference
where I parked that caused a temporary failure in the
ignition system. Are either possible?
Also, is it possible to disable the subsystem in the
ignition that requires a "chip?" I'd just as soon have
this car be slightly easier to steal than to ever have that
feeling I got when the key wouldn't turn in the ignition.
ANSWER: Matt,
The cylinder has a lock for security. Wiggle the wheel back and forth and see if the key will work then. If not, you are going to need to install another cylinder lock. This is not alarm related and it is just a function of things wearing out.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks, but I'm not sure this is the case. In my
experience, your first scenario usually happens with the
front tires up against the curb and out of perpendicular. In
this case the front tires were touching only the asphalt.
And when the cylinder lock wears out, putting in a second
key usually does not do the trick.
AnswerMatt,
If the original key is worn down the worn off material is in the cylinder.
Depending on how the car was turned off you can have the wheel lock bind the cylinder and that would prevent it from turning.
If the old key sticks and the newer one does not get another key cut to avoid the problem.
Also, lubricate the cylinder with aerosol lock lubricant.
Again, there is no electronic security lock that is available on this model of Nissan that would prevent the cylinder lock from turning.
You really do not want to have to change the cylinder since it has safety bolts that have to be ground off and drilled.
