Key won't turn

[hear]

Today's my lucky day, my key won't turn in the ignition. I say it's my lucky day because we're going wheeling in a few weeks and it would suck to have had this happen then.

I'm a little confused as to what I need to actually replace. The ignition lock cylinder or the ignition switch, or should I do both while I'm in there? It's a 97 automatic, never given me the tiniest bit of trouble starting up before now.

 

[dbbd1]

The actuator. The second picture.

 

[hear]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-fix-an-ignition-key-that-wont-turn-remains-locked.20189/

This thread suggests otherwise. I guess both parts turn so it's hard to say which one is the one preventing it from turning?

 

[hear]

update: I can jimmy the key while trying to turn the ignition and I can eventually get it to turn & start up. If I turn it off I immediately have the same problem again, and I can overcome it in the same way. It sure feels like the ignition tumbler but I don't guess I know for certain.

 

[DuckNut]

Had this happen before. Try turning the key over or use a different key. Most of the time it is the tumblers. My work truck only worked with the key inserted a certain way. If it is upside down it will not turn no matter what you do to it.

Get a new tumbler and a locksmith will match it to the key.

 

[hear]

Had this happen before. Try turning the key over or use a different key. Most of the time it is the tumblers. My work truck only worked with the key inserted a certain way. If it is upside down it will not turn no matter what you do to it.

Get a new tumbler and a locksmith will match it to the key.

I hadn't tried it the other way I don't think, but I have a new tumbler (and actuator) on the way.

Matching a new tumbler to the old key is pretty simple.

 

[Rickyd]

Only three parts to it. Take off the electrical switch and turn,then the actuator,then the lock. My money is on worn out key and tumbler assembly

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Kind of the opposite problem but I replaced the tumbler in my 99 after I got back in at the liquor store and went to start it And realized I didn't have the keys. I had driven there with the keys to my 2000 Silverado, which won't even fit in a healthy Jeep ignition.

You're right, rekeying it is easy.

 

[SPECWAR]

Kind of the opposite problem but I replaced the tumbler in my 99 after I got back in at the liquor store and went to start it And realized I didn't have the keys. I had driven there with the keys to my 2000 Silverado, which won't even fit in a healthy Jeep ignition.

You're right, rekeying it is easy.

???

 

[hear]

Kind of the opposite problem but I replaced the tumbler in my 99 after I got back in at the liquor store and went to start it And realized I didn't have the keys. I had driven there with the keys to my 2000 Silverado, which won't even fit in a healthy Jeep ignition.

You're right, rekeying it is easy.

Hmm, I wonder if I should just re-key it to one of my other jeeps. One less set to keep track of.

 

[SPECWAR]

after rereading your key post, I apologize for questioning it.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

I had a similar problem. Key would need to be jiggled occasionally to start. I thought it was the tumbler assembly because my spare key (which I thought was an original) didn't work either. I went to the dealer and had a key cut from the VIN and it works remarkably well. The spare key wasn't an original and was a copy from a worn original and when I compared the key I used everyday to the new one, I was shocked at how the key was worn down.

 

[pbeach]

FWIW: It happened to me before a few years ago. A stop-gap hack until you install the new components: with the key in, hit the end of the key with the palm of your hand once or twice. At the time I was absolutely convinced I needed a new lock cylinder. I never did replace the cylinder (but have one on standby just in case) Hasn't done it again since.

 

[Murf926]

I had a similar problem. Key would need to be jiggled occasionally to start. I thought it was the tumbler assembly because my spare key (which I thought was an original) didn't work either. I went to the dealer and had a key cut from the VIN and it works remarkably well. The spare key wasn't an original and was a copy from a worn original and when I compared the key I used everyday to the new one, I was shocked at how the key was worn down.

I had the exact same situation. Starting my Jeep was getting trickier and trickier over the past several months. Then, it dawned on me that I've been using the same key for 20 years. Having bought my Jeep new, I still had the other original key, so I compared them.

Mine was also totally worn. I was most surprised at how much thinner the used key was than the unused key. I tried the unused key and the starting issues completely went away.

I immediately drove to my local Ace hardware and had 2 keys made off of the unused original. I am now using one of the newly made keys without issue. I figure I'll always use a copy going forward, saving the good original to make additional copies if necessary.

 

[hear]

I went to the dealer and had a key cut from the VIN and it works remarkably well. The spare key wasn't an original and was a copy from a worn original and when I compared the key I used everyday to the new one, I was shocked at how the key was worn down.

My keys are all worn way down, a new one cut from the vin would be awesome. I think mine actually look worse than @Murf926's.

FWIW: It happened to me before a few years ago. A stop-gap hack until you install the new components: with the key in, hit the end of the key with the palm of your hand once or twice. At the time I was absolutely convinced I needed a new lock cylinder. I never did replace the cylinder (but have one on standby just in case) Hasn't done it again since.

I tried some similar hacks to this, but no luck.

 

[macleanflood]

I ordered a matching set of door locks and ignition with two keys from Wolf Security. Worked perfectly. Just need to figure out how to rekey the glove box and center console...one of these days I'll take them to a locksmith.

-Mac

 

[DuckNut]

I hadn't tried it the other way I don't think, but I have a new tumbler (and actuator) on the way.

Matching a new tumbler to the old key is pretty simple.

Yes. But hear me out..no pun intended.

Your key is probably wearing out and soon it will fail in other locks. If you can get a new key made from an original lock or a spare key that hasn't been used for 19 years. Otherwise, you might find yourself locked out at 3am while trying to go home from the local exotic dance hall.

 

[LONGJP2]

IIRC, you have to turn the key to remove the lock.
Don't wait too long to fix it, you don't know when your last 'turn' will be.

 

[hear]

Got the old ignition out, that was alarmingly easy. Getting the new one back in was a little harder, it didn’t want to turn far enough to start, and the key didn’t want to come out….but I think it just needed to be worked a little. No trouble at all. There isn’t a hard detent for off, so the key kinda comes out at an in between position, but I guess I’ll get used to that.

BONUS- now I have the “turn back for ACC” whereas before I didn’t really have ACC mode.

PS the black “key guard” actually comes off which makes it way easier to get the lower trim piece off. I don’t know how I ever did it before, but it was hard. I’m probably the last person to learn this but whatevs.