Ignition Switch won't turn, '04 Camry SE

[Jim Gracey]

Just purchased a 2004 Camry SE (70k miles) for the wife. Love the car but on day 5 the ignition switch started to get a little hinky. Insert the key and it won't turn. Grab the steering wheel and try to turn it just a little, jiggle the key and it works. Car is parked on flat ground with wheels straight. It this a known issue and any idea how to 'fix' it? Thanks!

[somick]

I drive 04 LE and so far everything is all right.

What you desribe may be just a safety feature. When steering wheel is at a certain angle it locks itself up.

I would not worry about it.

Sam

[KimMG]

How worn is the ignition key? Use to see this occasionally at the dealership and a new key cut from code would fix it.

[Jim Gracey]

Originally Posted by somick

I drive 04 LE and so far everything is all right.

What you desribe may be just a safety feature. When steering wheel is at a certain angle it locks itself up.

I would not worry about it.

Sam

Thanks for the quick reply. I can get the car started just fine but the wife is spooked. Doesn't help that her last vehicle left her stuck with engine running and locked up steering and shifter! Just need to see if there is anything that can be done so she can use the Camry with confidence.

[Jim Gracey]

Originally Posted by KimMG

How worn is the ignition key? Use to see this occasionally at the dealership and a new key cut from code would fix it.

Key looks new. Need a spare (transponder I think) key so will have one made and try it. Thanks!

[DFBonnett]

Is it an original Toyota key? I have a generic spare as a hideout key and it is a bit fussy to use. The originals are fine.

[Mike Gerber]

Follow KimMG's advice and go to the Toyota dealer and have a new key cut from the key code. That way you know you have a good key. Your current key may look new, but it could be a duplicate key cut form another duplicate key that may not have been good to start with.

Mike

[Jim Gracey]

Originally Posted by DFBonnett

Is it an original Toyota key? I have a generic spare as a hideout key and it is a bit fussy to use. The originals are fine.

You made me go look. It is a genuine Toyota key. Can't tell if it's an original so I'm off to the dealer to have a 'genuine' key made from the code. That is, if the loan to pay for it goes thru!!! I'll post the final outcome so everyone knows what we found.

Thanks a bunch to you and Mike Gerber for the thoughts and suggestion.

Jim