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ignition hard to turn



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 10th 18, 08:51 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
Tim R
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Posts: 9
Default ignition hard to turn

It's an older Chevy. Occasionally the key didn't want to turn, but enough jiggling and I could get it to start.

Now it's every time, and I'm never sure I'll get it.

Would spraying lubricant into the keyhole help, or make it worse?
  #2  
Old August 11th 18, 09:59 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
Kevin Bottorff[_3_]
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Posts: 84
Default ignition hard to turn

Tim R > wrote in
:

> It's an older Chevy. Occasionally the key didn't want to turn, but
> enough jiggling and I could get it to start.
>
> Now it's every time, and I'm never sure I'll get it.
>
> Would spraying lubricant into the keyhole help, or make it worse?
>


it wont hurt anything but dont expect it to help much. the key may be wore
out or the tumbler cyl is. but try the lub first. KB
ps if you have another key try it first.
  #3  
Old August 11th 18, 10:58 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
John_H
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Posts: 12
Default ignition hard to turn

Tim R wrote:

>It's an older Chevy. Occasionally the key didn't want to turn, but enough jiggling and I could get it to start.
>
>Now it's every time, and I'm never sure I'll get it.
>
>Would spraying lubricant into the keyhole help, or make it worse?


Better to use powdered graphite (or a dry lube stick) applied directly
to the key.

--
John H
  #4  
Old August 13th 18, 01:44 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
Tim R
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Posts: 9
Default ignition hard to turn

On Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 5:58:27 PM UTC-4, John_H wrote:
> Tim R wrote:
>
> >It's an older Chevy. Occasionally the key didn't want to turn, but enough jiggling and I could get it to start.
> >
> >Now it's every time, and I'm never sure I'll get it.
> >
> >Would spraying lubricant into the keyhole help, or make it worse?

>
> Better to use powdered graphite (or a dry lube stick) applied directly
> to the key.
>
> --
> John H


I'm wary of powdered graphite. Sometimes it can cake into dried mud.

I tried all three keys. All have the same problem. It acts like when the steering wheel is in the wrong position, preventing the key from turning. But if we play with it enough eventually it frees and turns.

I put a drop of STP on the key and tried that. It improved the action greatly, when it isn't stuck. It doesn't seem to have reduced the getting stuck.
  #5  
Old August 13th 18, 05:20 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
dsi1[_11_]
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Posts: 331
Default ignition hard to turn

On Monday, August 13, 2018 at 2:44:24 AM UTC-10, Tim R wrote:
> On Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 5:58:27 PM UTC-4, John_H wrote:
> > Tim R wrote:
> >
> > >It's an older Chevy. Occasionally the key didn't want to turn, but enough jiggling and I could get it to start.
> > >
> > >Now it's every time, and I'm never sure I'll get it.
> > >
> > >Would spraying lubricant into the keyhole help, or make it worse?

> >
> > Better to use powdered graphite (or a dry lube stick) applied directly
> > to the key.
> >
> > --
> > John H

>
> I'm wary of powdered graphite. Sometimes it can cake into dried mud.
>
> I tried all three keys. All have the same problem. It acts like when the steering wheel is in the wrong position, preventing the key from turning. But if we play with it enough eventually it frees and turns.
>
> I put a drop of STP on the key and tried that. It improved the action greatly, when it isn't stuck. It doesn't seem to have reduced the getting stuck.


You're putting a load on the latch of the steering wheel lock. Rotate the steering wheel until the pressure is relieved and frees up the ignition lock.
  #6  
Old August 14th 18, 03:29 AM posted to rec.autos.tech
[email protected]
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Posts: 68
Default ignition hard to turn


> You're putting a load on the latch of the steering wheel lock. Rotate the steering wheel until the pressure is relieved and frees up the ignition lock.


yep on my antique car I turn the wheel about 2 degrees to the left and then
the key moves just fine.

Nils K. Hammer
  #7  
Old August 14th 18, 01:23 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
Tim R
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Posts: 9
Default ignition hard to turn

On Monday, August 13, 2018 at 10:29:26 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> > You're putting a load on the latch of the steering wheel lock. Rotate the steering wheel until the pressure is relieved and frees up the ignition lock.

>
> yep on my antique car I turn the wheel about 2 degrees to the left and then
> the key moves just fine.
>
> Nils K. Hammer


I've had cars (Fords) where you had to shake the steering wheel when the key locked up like that.

If I push on the key, the lock will go in a short distance and then turn to the accessory position. It won't go immediately to start, but once it's in accessory getting it into start is usually quick. I think the lubrication helped, it's sticking less now and turning more easily.

I used the same stuff (STP) on the rear view mirror. My wife broke it off - the glue let go from the windshield. When I re-glued it I realized both ball and socket joints were very hard to move, so I put a drop of STP on each and worked them until smooth. It adjusts easily now.

 




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