95 Neon Ignition Switch Jammed

[Dirk Albring]

Tried everything already posted on the forum in relation to a jammed ignition switch. Have two keys and neither one will turn the ignition switch. Have turned the steering wheel all the way in both directions to no avail. Sometimes when I do that the wheel will lock in that direction. Pressing the brake pedal doesn't work. The fear shift (auto on the floor) won't budge unless the key is turned and the steering unlocked, so I can't try anything with that. Someone even mentioned taking the black plastic cover off of the switch, but that didn't work. I notice that it isn't until the last 1/8 inch or so of pressing the key into the switch that the bell starts dinging that lets you know your key is still in the ignition. Seems to me like maybe the keys don't go into the switch far enough to engage all chambers (I'm reaching I know). The used car dealership I bought it from took the car back because of the problem and said they put a new switch in. It worked for a few weeks but then started jamming back up again. Anybody know of a definite reason why this happens? It doesn't seem to be an isolated case with our car. There are others on the forum who have had this problem. It's not a bad running car, but man have we had one problem after another with it. Thanks.

[das2123]

The aluminum piece on the column may be busted and needs to be replaced. That is why so many of the neons are missing the column in junkyards. You will also have to break the column, because you want to get your tumbler out of there so you dont have to have the car rekeyed.

[Bear]

I had this issue with my '98 (do not know if you read my posts) and I took the trim pieces off around the steering column (need to remove the lower trim piece under dash (one screw at fuse box on side of dash and three under the dash and she pulls out), then take the three screws out below the steering column and snap that apart and this will expose the lock cylinder. Now with key in ignition, and using some suitable tool (I used a rubber mallet) start tapping the lock cylnder and the head of the key while trying to turn the key. In my case the key suddenly turned. OK now your key is turned in the ignition, what are yu going to do next? I, turned key to off and then tried to turn ignition on and she was again frozen (back to rubber mallet). When I got the key to turn I placed the key to run (not start) position and then depressed the gray plastic button on bottom of ignition cylinder and pulled the lock cylinder out. At this point you can try and lubricate the cylinder and see if that frees up the key (try turning key to all positions with lock cylinder out), if not you will need a new lock cylinder and they are pricey ($105 for mine with free re-key from dealer).

Good Luck.

[HPNOTIQracing]

dirk reading past posts or searching for your particular issue will get you a solution alot faster.

there is one about your same issue about 4 or 5 threads below this one.

EDIT: ten below this one.

[FemaleRacer]

Are you absolutely sure that there's nothing wrong with the tumbler? I had a very similar problem with my 98 Neon. A few weeks later the key then became stuck in the ignition. When the locksmith pulled it apart I found that there was a crack in the tumber (I saw it-it was big). The key-of course caught on it eventually-but origionally it wasn't making a good enough connection. And I was having the same trouble with the "warning chimes" that the key was in the ignition-or lack of them that is.