car key won't turn in ignition

[grinder]

So my car is ~10 years old, and this afternoon the key wouldn't turn over in the ignition. Also, the steering wheel isn't locked. My door locks were jamming like this as well, and I used wd40 to solve this problem. Is wd40 my solution here, or is it something more serious? FWIW, the key doesn't have a chip embedded in it like most new cars have. Thanks...

 

[Simon Templar]

Was it grinding?

 

[NickDanger]

It's better not to put fluids in the lock. Graphite would be better. I would also yank the wheel back and forth just to be sure that isn't the problem even though you have probably tried that. Sometimes, especially when you are on a hill, gravity works on slightly turned wheels to keep them from letting the ignition lock disengage. Get a little violent with the wheel.

 

[Texas_Rocks]

This is gonna sound like a dumb question,but are you sure that it is completley in park? The fact that your steering wheel is not locked leads me to believe this may be the case. Go out to your car,depress the break and lightly wiggle your shifter around. I think you're being thwarted by a built in safty feature.

 

[grinder]

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[JinSA]

Oh wait does the key still open the trunk?

-Cheap way to fix the problem: Take the lock from your trunk to a locksmith and have them rekey it. I would bet more then likely the key itself has wore out and the key number is not fitting the lock anymore. If you take the lock assuming that one key works around the car, a locksmith will rekey your lock for 25 dollars. This happened to my BMW about 10 years ago.

 

[horn4life]

I wouldn't use WD 40 or Graphite.

Teflon is the ****! works great and doesn't attract dirt. that's what a locksmith recommended to me a while back.

 

[runner]

I am not a mechanic, however, I strongly suggest that you force it in some way. I would get some vice grips and keep applying pressure until something gives. That generally works for me.

 

[twid]

i had the lock in my steering column break somehow a year or so ago. now i have two keys to my car, one for the doors and one to start it.

 

[Aragorn]

Apparently only one other person on this thread noticed the fact that you're having the same problem with the door locks. The problem is OBVIOUSLY with your key. It's probably worn down. You might be able to have the dealer cut you a brand new one from which you can make copies.

 

[Bookman]

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[gecko]

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[guitartex]

Take your Vehicle Identification Number to a local car
dealer parts dept. and they will cut you a new key.
It's much cheaper than calling a locksmith. Sounds to me
like your old key is worn out. This is a very common problem.

 

[Palladio]

I concur with the recommendations for getting a new key cut. I had the same problem and took it to the Saturn dealership. They cut a new key for me, and now everything is golden.