QuestionQUESTION: Hi Todd
1997 Grand Am SE, 124,000, 4 cyl, 2.4 liter. Key will turn to accessories and all the instrument panel lights come on as normal. And key turns off so it can be removed. But the switch won’t turn to on so engine turns over. If I push in on the black ring surrounding the switch and jiggle it, the key will turn and the car will start. Have tried that 5-6 times and it works every time. Goes in gear OK, drives OK. If I push in on the key only and jiggle it, the key still won’t turn to on. Have to push in on the ring. Problem just started suddenly today. No other problems noticed. Shifter is securely in park; steering wheel has play so it isn’t locked. Is this a switch problem? And if so, do I need special tools to replace? I’ve replaced alternator, water pump, shocks—nothing major but more than just oil changes. I’ve never done any electrical work or anything in the steering column. I’m really strapped for cash right now but could pay to have it done if I had to. Any idea how much it might cost? Thanks so much. Don (Nashville, TN)
ANSWER: Hey Don:
sounds like an ignition lock cylinder issue and not a switch. No real special tools needed other then a small pick but in order to remove the cylinder you have to be able to turn the key to the crank position if not ther is a long drawn out proceedure you need to do to drill out the retainer for the lock and get the cylinder out. once you take the upper and lower column covers off there is a small hole on the column you have to stick the samll pick in and turn the key to the crank position while pulling out on the key and cylinder and it will come out as a unit. The new lock cylinder will come uncoded so you will either have to have the dealer do it or a lock smith. they will code it to your key. the lock cylinder will come with a outter housing too you don't need to replace that if you do it will screw up the security system in the car from the factory so just replace the cylinder. before you do this disconnect the battery so the car will not start up while your doing this. Good luck :)
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QUESTION: I know you don’t do Lexus but thought I’d ask, because I’ve talked to both Lexus dealers here in Nashville plus an automotive electrical service and none of them know solution. And sense you’ve been so knowledgeable with the 10,000 questions in your profile, thought I’d ask. But if you’d rather not, I understand. Daughter has 2001 Lexus LX 470, 144,000, automatic. Can’t remove key from ignition switch unless you disconnect the negative battery cable(well, it may be either cable; I’ve only tried the negative). Problem started yesterday with no warning. The key stops at ACC and won’t turn farther left to lock & remove. She never could get key out last night and I worked with it for over an hour today and it would not remove. I made sure shifter securely in park and even tried turning the steering wheel to make sure it wasn’t engaged. Shifter is console type and it works OK, no problems. There is no key release on this model. I figured out the cable by accident. Disconnected it to keep battery from draining(which it did last night and I had it recharged today). And just happened to turn the key and it came out. Assumed it was coincidence but tried it about 8-10 times and every time the key did come out, but never would as long as cable connected. But she called me tonight and said when she got home, the key removed OK without having to disconnect cable. I thought it might be the transponder chip in her key, but one of the Lexus dealers did know enough to say if it was the chip that the car probably wouldn’t start at all. Was hoping you’ve seen this in other models. Thanks so much. Don
AnswerWell it can be 1 opf 2 things. I doubt it's has anything to do with the chip in the key. The release system for the key is either cable actuated from the shifter upto the lock assembly or and electrical release system. I'm going to bet on the cable relase system being that it's an older model car But I may be wrong! the cable may be binding at the shifter assembly especially if anything has ben spilled into the coonsole like soda or coffee?? ther is a mechanism that attches the cable to the shiter and if that is binding up it will make the key stick.. If it's an electrical system it has a switch in the center console that fires off a solenoid at the lock cylinder and lets the key be removed or keeps it in the lock vise versa. In that ststem you actaully would have 2 switches one for the shifter and one that is incororated with the traansmission so when it's in anything but park it will not allow the key to be turned all the way back the switch on the tranmsission could be bad as well if you mess with the shifter in and out of park it may make it work??? You could have high reistance in eihet that switch or the one in the console... Like I said It's either or and I have NO clue what this one would have?? Good luck either way!
