Ignition problems, key wont turn Options

[jimmykay]

I just had a really weird problem when I went to leave work this evening.

I go to put my key in the ignition and it just sorta clunks in there and wont turn. So I wiggle it around and still nothing. I alternate between flipping the key over and trying that side of it, and even pulling out a spare key that I keep in my wallet and trying that one. and for about 5 minutes (felt like 10) I couldn't get the key to turn. it eventually turned on with my normal key so I could get home and find out something.

I dont think its a problem with my key, since I didn't have any better luck with my spare. And I know its not the wheel lock since my wheel wasn't locked. So that leaves the ignition portion of the car. My initial thought is that something is sticking in there. But since I really dont know much about the internals of an ignition, I cant say for sure.

playr suggested WD-40 in chat, and I'm gonna try that, but I am curious if anyone has had a similar problem, or if anyone knows much about that.

thanks.

[bmj67]

try to turn the steering wheel a bit and turn the key at the same time even if the wheel lock isn't engaged it could still be part of the problem. if that doesn't work it could be that one of the pins in the lock is going in which case you would have to replace the lock

[richee3]

I've got the same problem. It doesn't do it all the time, just every once in a while. It's a combination of two problems with me: one is the ignition being old and worn out, and the other is my key being a copy of a copy of a copy. I have a key that is only the second copy in there, and it almost always works. When this happens to me, all I have to do is turn my key over, and maybe wiggle it around a little bit. Sounds like yours is a lot worse than mine though.

[jimmykay]

the WD-40 worked. I think it may be a combination of the cold and parts just getting worn. It wasnt the wheel lock.