04 Ignition "sticky"

Recently the ignition has gotten more noticeably difficult to turn. At times can wrestle/jiggle it for 2-3 full minutes before it finally works and turns. And it's easy to turn once it finally does - no resistance.

Wd 40 seems to help a bit still not great. I know this comes with a ~20 yr old truck but I'm curious what I may be in for if only option is to 'replace'.

How difficult/expensive does this tend to get? If replaced, what about doors? Or best to keep two keys like we did in the 80s? One for door(s) and one for ignition.

 

I wouldn't spray stuff in there. Might make it worse as it collects dust and other stuff. In my 98 I had to take my ignition out and remove some of the tumblers. They just wear out. A new ignition is pricey, have to match your door locks too as you don't want 2 keys.

 

Sound like the lock cylinder is worn out.

This happened to me about 10 years ago. I think all said and done, with key matching, I paid $250.

 

Buy a new ignition lock cylinder have it rekeyed to the key you have now.

Powdered Graphite is the best lubricant for lock cylinders .

If your using WD-40 or other spray lube use enough to wash all the dirt and grit out.On a constant basis.

 

For sure replace that cylinder now. I bought one then procrastinated and sure enough...found myself stuck one early morning needing to get to work. When it fails it fails suddenly. 10 minute job replacing the cylinder.

 

So there is a way to replace cylinder w/o re-keying?

 

Sure, you'll just end up with two keys on your keychain. Nbd really.

To remove the cylinder you have to be able to rotate the existing one to "accessory". I was lucky that I eventually got the old one to turn one last time.

 

10 minute jobs always take me at least 30

 

Some people live in the alternate reality where time flows different .

My neighbor says he will be back in 15 minutes I have learned to me that means several hours or not at all.

 

this is why whenever I need to do anything to the truck, I tell my wife I need at least half the day or longer, if I know its a bigger ordeal.

If I tell her I can get it done in 30 minutes it will end up taking an hour or 3 and then whatever plans we made are screwed

 

It seems to be one of those hard and fast laws of the multiverse.

Then it only happens when you have plans or park in front of the over head door.

 

I always take longer to work on my own stuff. In part - because I want it done correctly. I typically don't like working on things for other people because they are always in such a hurry. "Do you know how to fix this?" nope. Nope. Don't know how to do that. Sorry. Take it to a mechanic haha