2000 Grand Caravan key won't turn in ignition.

Hello all. My 2000 Grand Caravan Sport just started having this problem. When I put the key in the ignition, it won't turn and I have to press the key in hard while moving the gear shift lever around a little. It's an automatic tranny and I'm wondering if I need to change out the ignition lock cylinder. Anyone have any idea what else could cause this problem?

Also, if this part does need to be changed, is it pretty cut and dry or are there any gotchas waiting for me?


Thanks.

Yes very easy to do just remove steering column covers then you have to be able to turn key some to be able to push retainer button up in order to remove cylinder .

Crazy man; just crazy.

Sunday morning I wrap up my midshift in time to kiss the wife goodbye for church and I ask her if she wants to take the car instead of the van. 'No, I'll be fine' She jumps in and is able to drive the entire day without the *$*#ing key locking for her.

I try it this morning and it won't turn for me. She gets in and it turns immediately. She tells me I lack her touch. More right than she knows apparently. I go to get the kids in the afternoon hop in the van and gently put key in ignition without jamming it in there and it starts right up. SOOOOOO, I get to eat a big humble sandwich tonight. Thanks though.

I had the same type of issue once, I had two sets of keys. One set of keys was the original, with the sail boat on it. The other set was a wall-mart special only worked half the darn time. I gave up on that set, went to the Dodge dealer had them make me a new set and now both work like a charm.

The ignition to my 1998 grand caravan has been sticking too. Today it finally locked up. Thanks to the great info on this site, i was able to remove it fairly easily.

The tip about banging gently with a hammer did the trick. It allowed me to turn the lock to acc. and then pull it out. NAPA OEM part is about 21.00 which sure beats $200-$300 wanted by the dealer.

Thanks

I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan (http://forums.automotive.com/70/16154/dodge/1999-dodge-1500-van-key-wont-turn-in-ignition/page13.html#) that had the same problem. The only thing that worked for us was hitting the end of the key quite hard with a shoe (which I kept in the van all the time). It seemed to be worse on cold days too. After about a year of hitting it, it started not working anymore, and finally failed. We ended up calling a locksmith who came to the house and took it apart, greased up the individual....well I can't think of the name, but they are little things that fall into the key's grooves when you put the key in, anyway, we haven't had a problem since. He said that those "things" were getting stuck and when you hit the key with a shoe, you basically vibrate those down to where they should be, "shake them loose". After he lubricated them and loosened them up, they have worked fine. He told us if we could have driven the van to him, he would have done it for 25.00, but it was a little more than that since he came to us. I think only 40 or so. Very cheap way to fix the problem. I would suggest trying a locksmith (instead of a dealer) before you get stuck like we did. I hope this helps!