Key Very Difficult to Turn

Sometimes my key is very difficult to turn when in the ignition. This happens about once per week. The dealership said they couldn't duplicate the issue so they did nothing about it. (of course they couldn't duplicate it...it only happens about once per week)

Is there a TSB that addresses this issue? Does anyone else have this problem?

Thanks for all your help!

 

Work the steering wheel as you try to turn the key

That will be 90.00 dollars to my pay pal acct - thank you

 

Try a shot of powdered graphite in the ignition key hole. I haven't done it on this truck but it worked on other ignitions and random sticky locks.

Your avatar just made my pants fit a little tighter.

 

yeah im thinking the steering wheel gets locked. just jiggle it back and forth as you turn the key next time ans see how it works

 

+1 both suggestions, graphite and the steering lock.

 

Thats what she said... sorry I couldnt resist.

As for the problem, like everyone else has said, just jiggle the wheel back and forth while turning the key.

 

Guys, thanks for the help. I can tell you for sure it's not the steering wheel. I have tried that several times but it isn't locked. I know what you are talking about as I've had the steering wheel lock making the key difficult to turn on other cars...this is something different.

My driveway is straight so the wheels are always straight when parked in the driveway. Since the wheels are straight the steering wheel doesn't have any stress or pressure on the it causing it to lock.

I wonder if a little WD40 would work. Could it hurt anything?

 

Powdered graphite would be better for a lock

 

Check the power steering fluid. Could be low or you could have a leak.

 

Don't mean to Hi Jack your thread but I'

was just reading through this thread and hear about the second gen Tacoma's having a steering lock

That's the mechanism that's locks the steering when you park your vehicle and turn the wheel before exiting the truck

My 05 Tacoma Pre-Runner does not have a steering lock?

Never did...

Is it supposed to?

Thanks

 

Would graphite mess up the engine immobilizer in the key ?

 

Graphite should not affect the immobilizer. Check the key to make sure that it's not bent and has no burrs on it. I'd even try to use another key for a little while to see if it's resolved. You may have a pin sticking inside and the graphite may assist. You may have a small piece of sheared metal hanging something up.

Also, make sure your keychain does not look like it belongs to a prison guard. If there is too much crap or too may keys on it, then it can pull your key in an awkward angle and affect the internals to the ignition cylinder.

 

No graphite won't mess up anything, nor would any kind of penetrating oil that would act as a cleaner. Now, for the why? Did you buy the truck new? If yes, how many keys are on your key ring? If no, then you would have to guess the previous owner had a lot of keys on his ring (unless you actually have a huge key ring). The discs in the ignition tumbler are brass. Hence, too much weight bouncing around places excessive wear and can possibly bend them. I would try a liquid cleaner/penetrate like Liquid Wrench. Spray a burst in the lock and work the key in and out of the lock several times to compress and clean the disc. Then spray another burst in the keyway, and turn the key on and off several times. If, this seems to fix the problem. Great. If it still has issues, then take it to a locksmith to see if he can rekey it or check your key to see if either are out of specs. Might be a poorly cut key?? But, if it only started having issues, its probably gunked up.

 

You can also take a wire brush and go over your key a little. Be gentle and don't take too much off. The may assist as well.

 

My ignition has been sticky and difficult to turn a couple times recently , today was really bad , felt like I was gonna break off the key to get it to turn

 

You're not saying PB Blaster is ok? Are you?

 

I have this problem on occasion too

 

So graphite powder is the way to go ?

 

LPS - it's a dry film lubricant - my locksmith sells it. There's a lot of different varieties, I think LPS 1 is the one you'd need for a lock cylinder

http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/560