Ignition Switch

My ignition switch has a spot that binds when I start the car. I have tried my spare key and it acts the same. I have to turn the key both ways several times before it goes past that spot. It is much worse when cold.

Has anyone had any luck lubing the ignition lock? A locksmith told me to use graphite powder to free up stuck pins. Aaany advice? I don't want to spend $250 for a new one. Wow what a price!

Thanks

Gary

$250.00?? Yikes. I wouldn't either. The local U-Pull it would sell you one for about 20 bucks. It sounds like you have some tumblers that aren't meshing up real well. If you get a another one at the wrecking yard, and take to a locksmith, then they can match up the tumblers with the original key for a few bucks more. I'm trained in locksmithing somewhat and done some of that in the past. It is relatively easy to do.

One other option that I've had good success with is to take your VIN number down to the local chev dealer and get them to pull the original key code (it was stamped on a little metal tag that came with the owners manual - how many of us still have that little piece of documentation???).
It will cost you a few $$ unless you are friendly with the person at the parts counter. Depending on where you live you will probably have to take your license and registration along.
Then take the key code to a locksmith and he can cut a key to match the original. That key will almost always work properly saving you the expense of a new ignition. Do try out the new key while you are at the locksmith so if any adjustment is needed it can be done right there.
My theory is that over time the lobes on the key wear not fully depressing the pins in the lock cylinder causing the sticking.
I had a locksmith tell me that you should get a new key made every couple of years before your old one wears down significantly as "modern" ignitions cylinders are "hardened" while the keys are not so the key wears first. Made more sense when I realized the "new" key is usually just a copy of the "old" key. So if the wear on the key is the issue a key copied off the old one will still have the same problem.

Good Luck

Followup:

Thanks for the help. I did what a locksmith said and squeezed a little powdered graphite into the ignition key hole. After about two days the switch now works like it did when it was new. :wink: The spot where the key would bind is totally gone.