ritzsupra98

I have a 91 L sedan i jumped in it this morning to goto work, and it wont let me turn the key. Yes i moved the wheel back and forth and also played with the gear selector. Nothing seems to be working, does anyone know whats going on with my car? I think it might just be the cold, but i still need to fix it cause i can't just borrow my dads car all winter long.

 

FiveSpeed

try a different key if the key you are trying is worn too much but also the ignition switches are pron to go bad on legends

if a good key will physically not turn, sounds like something jamming the mechanism maybe spray electronics cleaner (do not spray WD40 or anything oiley it will gum it up)

If you clean it a little with electronics cleaner, then put a little lock graphite to lubricate, then try

ritzsupra98

i have tryed 5 differant keys now and none of them are working

ritzsupra98

it also looks like my ignition might be screwed. i just talked to my dad and he thought that he would take it upon himself to put penetrating oil in my ignition. can i fix that anymore or should i just replace it. i think that might be little too pricy to do.

FiveSpeed

there is a little pin inside the lock that gets pushed up by the key. This tells the system the key is there so it can do the chime thingey etc....

So another idea would be that pin is stuck or jammed, broke whatever which means you may need a new lock switch if spraying cleaner does not help...

ritzsupra98

its still chiming, so i dont think thats it. I did just go look at it and the silver part that you put you key into is now iced over. I also seen a lot of oil on the key itself when i pulled it out

FiveSpeed

the pin used to stick so the car would chime even after I took the key out of the ignition. Spraying with solvent (not oil) ie. electronics cleaner helped but eventually it got to the point that the car would not turn on even though the lock was turning. In your case, if the lock won't turn at all, it sounds like something jamming either that PIN thing or the actual lock cylinder. If the PIN is the problem, changing out the switch fixes this. It cost me $56 for the switch and is fiddely to get to but not impossible to do yourself.

If it is the lock tumblers inside the cylinder that are jamming, I still think electronics spary solvent might just free it up unless there is some foreign object lodged in there.

If you have to change the actual lock cylinder, yes pricey because you need all new keys.

ritzsupra98

do you think silicon would be good to use?

FiveSpeed

a locksmith taught me never spray oil of any kind into a lock. It gums it up. They use graphite powder if they use anything at all. Electronics cleaner is a solvent and evaporates quickly. It will not harm your finishes if you keep a rag around to contol overspray and catch the run off.

Most other cleaners sprays are oiley. and also brake part cleaner is too caustic to spray around inside the car.

FiveSpeed

silicon spray i.e. wd40 ... is basically viscous --- oiley. It will gum it up. How is your lock "frozen" is there water or condensation inside the car? Are you saying the lock may literally be frozen with water?

auto parts stores and electronic supply places sell electronics cleaners. I found graphite lock lube tubes I think at Home depot

ritzsupra98

no my dad put penetrating oil in and on the switch while i was at work. and the oil is now frezeeing.

FiveSpeed

so no doubt its bloody freakin cold in Michigan

ritzsupra98

only about 4 degrees outside. I threw the car in nuetrel and rocked the car back and forth, jumped in and started turning the wheel back and forth as hard as i could and got the dang thing started. the swich is really gummy tough so im trying to find the elec. spray and lock graphite. thanks for the help that you did provide, but in the end it came down to my being pissed off and physically getting it done.

FiveSpeed

awesome, good to hear she's running

91boz

Same thing happened to my 91. It would intermittently lock up at different times. I tried all the things mentioned but the fix was having the lock cylinder replaced. I think it was like about $140 and came with 2 keys.

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91boz