IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

[Guest Close Guest]

Hi Team

My 1998 Prado ignition switch has developed an annoying problem.

The key will easily go into the ignition but the key will not turn. I have 2 keys and both present the same problem. To start the car I must continually withdraw and replace the key until it turns / starts. Sometimes this is twice sometimes ten times.

I am thinking the ignition barrel is worn, lubricating it has not helped.

Is it possible to swap the barrel out of the passengers door lock with the ignition barrel as this should be in as new condition.

Any thoughts /ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers and thanks in advance Ian

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

Sounds like a sticky pin in the barrel holding it off.

A locksmith "may" be able to rebuild this for you.

PLease add a meaningful location to your profile.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

According to google cooldollar is right next to this chick in the red top:

Google Link

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

I am thinking the ignition barrel is worn, lubricating it has not helped.

Goodwood locksmiths. They're on Goodwood road on the city side of the underpass, west side of the road (above the road). Very handy with car locks and especially the security chip keys and locks. 210 Goodwood Rd, Millswood, SA 5034? - (08) 8373 5090? (no connection, just happy customer)

Google link (it's a bit hidden)

Michael

[jcas24 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close jcas24]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

What did you lubricate it with? Graphite Powder or something else?

I was gunna ask the exact same thing. WD40?? lol

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

Are the keys worn at all?

If they are sometimes that can be the problem the only fix I have heard of is to get new ones cut off an unused key.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

Wow is there no place to hide where the gooogle camera won't find you /me / us.

Anyway back to the problem at hand. ANSWERS

Yes WD40 used, turned out to be a slightly messy problem but never the less didn't seem to make any difference.
I have not got the little silver tag (with a number on it) that comes on the keys when you buy the car. Is there any way to access this code number and therefore get a completely new key cut?
A sticky pin in the barrel ? I'm liking the sound of that. Anyone who can replace a timing belt can take apart an ignition switch......... Surely?

Answers I need answers, my wife is going slowly mad waiting for me to fix it. I keep telling her "the Forum knows all"

I can buy a new barrel and key but then will have a different key to start and unlock doors which is not my prefered option.

Thought for the day "Beware the power of the Drone"

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

I still say take it to Goodwood Locksmiths. Lock problems are best left to the experts IMO.

If it's a problem with a worn key, they can fix it. If it's sticking cylinder they can fix it. If they need to replace the cylinder, they can re-key it to your existing key etc.

"Return this drone to the collective".

Michael

[Guest Close Guest]

Ignition issues - My fee free fix $$$

Thanks to all of you who posted replies re - Ignition problems

In short the problem was:
Keys worn, barrel worn, brass locking pawls worn. Sh**s were trumps! Going nowhere fast.

My solution was:
Disconnect battery.
Carefully and systematically take it all apart, lay out the locking barrel on a clean work area on the garage bench, make a cup off coffee and concentrate ! Otherwise you will never get it all back together.

First I drilled out the riveted section in the front of the barrel surround so it could be dissembled (clever Japanese seal it so clever Australians cannot save money by fixing it themselves, I'll show them!!) Then I deburred and polished the inside of the barrel housing, took out all the brass pawls and got rid of all the WD 40 that I had previously sprayed in there (which had attracted 11 years of dust into a black goop). Then reassembled pawls, put key into barrel and carefully filed off protruding pawls (worn key = pawls sticking up proud and preventing turning) removed all brass filings, cleaned all moving parts, reassembled barrel, riveted front cover section back on (the bit that's not supposed to come off).

Slipped switch back into steering column refasten all dash fixings. Rivets cannot be seen as they are covered by the black plastic surround.

Reconnect battery, reprogram stereo, turn ignition, drive to nearest CIBO coffee shop to enjoy an extra hot latte with the money you have saved.

Oh Yeah you have to love a successfull DIY project.

Cheers and thanks again

[Thistledo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Thistledo]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

Hi Team

My 1998 Prado ignition switch has developed an annoying problem.

The key will easily go into the ignition but the key will not turn. I have 2 keys and both present the same problem. To start the car I must continually withdraw and replace the key until it turns / starts. Sometimes this is twice sometimes ten times.

I am thinking the ignition barrel is worn, lubricating it has not helped.

Is it possible to swap the barrel out of the passengers door lock with the ignition barrel as this should be in as new condition.

Any thoughts /ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers and thanks in advance Ian

I had the same problem with my prado but the spare key was still good I just got a new key cut and ditched the worn key.

any good lock smith can cut your keys ( mine just typed the key number and cut a new key without the old key ) I cant remember the cost so it was not expencive.

[holden freak Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close holden freak]

Re: IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN - Can you help

thanks cool dollar, your free fix did the trick , not too hard to do and worked a charm. Only thing i did different was i did not need to rivet top back on as it clipped back into place. Again thanks , saved me heaps