won't let me turn the key

[deadBird]

I'm gonna take pretty educated guess and say it's the ignition part that I actually put my key into. (what's that called?)

My car occasionally doesn't want to let me turn the key all the way to turn the engine over. I can unlock the steering wheel, turn on accessories, and try shifting all day. But for some reason it just doesn't wanna let me turn all the way to the 3rd position. Last time it took me about 15 minutes to finally magically let me turn the key all the way. Also, I tried a spare key that isn't worn to no avail.

1) How much is it to fix?
2) What is the name of the part?
3) Can I do it myself?

[ringsincorona]

Ignition cylinder?

[CCLaguna]

Are you talking about when you go to start your car? That key?

If so, try pushing on the brake while doing it, it might be locking up on you. If that dosn't work, then turn the key to the idle position (turn it towards you as far as possible) and then turn it all the way again. If that dosn't work, then it's locked for some reason, try turning the steering wheel, etc.

[OverAllComa]

Spray WD-40 on the key and slide it in and out. Repeat a few times.

[deadBird]

Tried the WD-40 and nadda. I'm wondering if the teeth are worn in the "ignition lock cylinder". Also, does anyone know if you buy a new one does it come with a set of keys?

Are the brakes normally really stiff when the car is off? I never noticed before...

[FinchUsed]

Automatic cars tend to have "stiff" feeling brakes while they are turned off. So if yours is auto, thats probably fine.

[deadBird]

Ok, well then new ignition lock cylinder it is! Unless anyone has any other ideas...

[Rabid Ewok]

Originally Posted by deadBird

Ok, well then new ignition lock cylinder it is! Unless anyone has any other ideas...

usually the tip of your key pushes a pin that lets the key turn... is the key really worn?

[ringsincorona]

If you pump the brake with the engine off, pressure builds up in the brake line. It will go away when the car starts or over time.

[jakegday]

Originally Posted by FinchUsed

Automatic cars tend to have "stiff" feeling brakes while they are turned off. So if yours is auto, thats probably fine.

that is the biggest load of bullshit ive ever heard, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with what kind of transmission you have, all cars with power brakes do it

[94VL]

I'm thinking your ignition switch has some bad innards thats blocking you switching to the start position.The electrical switch is down the column driven by a rod thats connected to the lock tumbler/key combo thats visible from outside.There is a spring/slide and contacts inside the switch,and anything can go wrong there.Fords have burnt up by the hundreds due to those type of switches/slides making partial contact when shut down.So it goes to show,they are pretty flimsy when new,and they only get worse.

[Rabid Ewok]

replace key cylinder and have a locksmith match the keys.

[SLAGHDOG]

I had a similar problem on my 98 grand am. It sometimes would not let me turn the key and magicaly it would work. It ended up being a switch on the automatic shifter under the shifter councel. I also changed out the ignition, it worked for a while and started doing it again. I got one from the junkyard, you have to take the whole shifter with the switch in it.

[SLAGHDOG]

That is i tried the ingition first and ended up fixing it with the shifter switch.

[deadBird]

Shifter? I'm assuming you mean the gear selector?

To be more descriptive... I can pull the key back (Accessories), and then go forward to the first position, and just before I get to the actual engine/turn over position, it physically doesn't let me.

Geez, last night it took me 15 minutes to get it to let me start the car.