Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 06:17 pm, by: Chris Anderson(Piston_broke)
Hi guys i've got a problem getting my key to work in the ignition barrel. It doesn't want to go all the way in so i cant even turn the key to start it. At the moment my car is stuck at an audio installers shop (just had an install of an aftermarket head unit under the emv screen). I am lost as to what to do so any advice would be greatly appreciated. ((its a v8 toyota soarer 91model))}
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 06:43 pm, by: Daniel Blomfield(Soarer_nz)
try putting some powdered graphite in the key hole to lubricate the lock this has worked fro me on other worn ignition barrels don't know if it will work on the soarer but worth a shot powdered graphite can be purchased from most hardware stores and usually comes with an applicator put a small amount in the lock and push the key in and out a couple of times it should loosen up almost immediately
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 07:38 pm, by: Chris Anderson(Piston_broke)
Yeah key was working fine before. Its the key which came with the car, and it does look a bit worn but in 2 years only once has it ever done this, ages ago... then I just took the key out, tried it again a couple of times with a bit of a wiggle and it worked.
The car is still at the audio installers seeing as I cant start the car. They managed to operate the key with no problems to drive the car into their workshop and only had the problem after they had finished installing the audio unit in place of the old cassette deck.
They told me of the problem when I arrived to collect the car, and (unfortunately from what I have since read) one of the cures they tried was a spray of CRC or WD40. Despite half an hour of jiggling and trying, the key goes almost all the way into the barrel but just not enough to be able to switch it on. I tried the boot and doors and the key still operates them with no problem. However the glove box would not unlock.
I was thinking maybe there is something they might have inadvertently done in the audio install that had perhaps reset or altered something to cause the problem.
They have an auto elec coming to look at it in the morning. I will also mention the graphite powder idea to them.
Thanks for the responses. Any other thoughts please keep them coming.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 08:54 am, by: David Ward(Djwtoyota)
Suggest whip the barrel out and as Tom said use a silicon spray that locksmiths use. Invert the lock and see if you can flush the blockage out with the liquid spray. If you don't know what you're doing get the audio installers to take it out and take it to a locksmith competent with auto locks. Is there any chance they may have tried to use a wrong key in the ignition?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 09:05 am, by: Daniel Arndt(Darndt)
Does anyone else find it strange when we take our cars to these places, like mechanics, panel beaters etc they often come back with something else broken/damaged? What the hell is going on here? Chris I just hope they claim responsibility for this and pay up the cost to fix.
Mine is going in for a windscreen tomorrow, what are the chances it comes back with a flat tyre?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 05:15 pm, by: Evan Kaio(Knave)
Had this key issue when I first got my Soarer. The problem was that the end of the key had become rounded after 15 years of use. Got a new key cut, ends square, all good.
Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 08:00 pm, by: Chris Anderson(Piston_broke)
Hey guys many thanks to your help !!! I ended up getting a new key cut at the "www.locallocksmiths.com.au" shop in Glenferrie Rd, Malvern(03 9509 0442 ask for Julian). I got their replacement key called a TOY40 cut on the spot within 5 minutes. Its given all the locks on the car that seemless new feeling again so i highly recomend anyone with a worn out key to get a new one and avoid being in this situation.
Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 08:09 pm, by: Chris Anderson(Piston_broke)
As for the ignition barrel i ended up blasting it with lots of compressed air, then i squirted in some graphite and gently put the old key into the barrel. To get the key all the way in i gently tapped it in with a hammer and turned the key with a pair of pliers while another guy was holding the steering wheel to free the steering lock. Then took out the old key and now use the new key. Problem sorted!!!YAY
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