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 Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q
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JedCoop



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288 posts
94 Q45t w/TCS, 92 Q45 w/TCS, 91 Q45 touring (RIP)
San Jose CA
11-23-2003

  Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q


My '92Q has over 190K. I have the original two factory keys. Both of which progressively have gotten worse and worse. They get stuck during insertion into the iginition key slot, now it takes five or so minutes to get the right magic combination to get the key inserted. It was getting tough to do when there is any time pressure, and my wife refuses to drive the car at all (I don't blame her). I noticed the key from my '94Q slides in almost every time, so I bought a new factory key from Infiniti to solve the problem. My '91Q also had this problem at 145K until its sudden demise.

$150 later, the new key works usually in the first five attempts, so it takes only 20 seconds or so to start the car - a real improvement , but it still stinks. The key gets stuck just when the small square hole in the key is about to go into the key cylinder.

I don't want to get a new ignition cylinder and then have to buy another set of keys that do not match the doors. Any ideas on how to make this work? I have used graphite and moly grease to lubricate the key cylinder.

Has any one tried to rebuild a key cylinder - or maybe remove it and send it to a locksmith to rebuild?

[Should this be in the online mechanics section?]




94 Q45t w/TCS, 92 Q45 w/TCS, 91 Q45 touring (RIP)
jamesmost

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1920 posts
"95Qmodded, M30 Conv. both in minty, 1986 MB 560sec
Strong Island NY
7-8-2003

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (JedCoop)


my 95 is starting to do that as well



95Q w/TCS-Tokico blues w/Eibachs, 20mm rear sway bar, NICO switcher ecu,JWT tcu, Stock Air Box, solid urathane sub frame & sway bar bushings, Stillen upper control arms rear, SPL's front, Stillen strut tower brace, BBS-RK rims - 245/45/WR17 95W - Yokahama a/s, Stillen adjustable tension rods, all urathane bushings, Hella HID headlights & driving lights, t-spoiler, Stillen 2.5" cat back exhaust (removed the 2 cans under the car, lower cats & gutted uppers), B&M trans cooler, SS braided brake lines, Power Slots w/Hawk HPS pads. 91 transmission w/performance rebuild, 2,800 stall Billet Dragon torque convertor, additional clutches, cranked up pressure solenoid, crosshatched clutches & shift kit. Powertrain industries driveshaft. Timing advance to 17. JDM motor installed w/45k miles. Body freshly painted,JDM clear lenses,all rear plastic smoked out w/35% film, windows tinted, GTR32 rear 4.08 gear synthetic fluids
Q451990
Old School Q Guru



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6924 posts
1990 Q45 - 96K, 2005 G35 Sedan - 51K, 2004 Frontier M/T - 57K
Columbia, SC
7-23-2002

 « 


This type of lock is commonly called a "wafer lock" by locksmiths. I suspect a good one could rebuild it for you. If the "wafers" (like pins in a regular lock) are just worn, they should be able to replace just them. If the rest of the lock has problems, then you'd probably need to replace the whole thing.

Mine was replaced under the 100K warranty, so I don't know for sure...

Good luck!

Heath



1990 Infiniti Q45 **** AKA "Q2"
2005 Infiniti G35 **** Sedan A/T
2004 Nissan Frontier.. King Cab M/T
Rex
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20219 posts
1995 SC400 Red/Black 1993 Maxima Black/Tan
Cincinnati OH
4-5-2003

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (JedCoop)


I'd suggest looking into one of the Q's being parted out and see about replacing all the locks/keys. May be less expensive, just depends on what kind of deal you can swing.



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Jesda
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30647 posts
LETS GO VANNING
ITS A PARTY IN THE USA
5-5-2003

 « 


1) Use a tube of graphite (available at Home Depot) to spray into the key hole and on the key to lubricate it. That did the trick for me and it improved over time with use. If that fails...

2) Have a brand new key made based on your VIN number. Should be $50-$100. And then...

3) Have the ignition lock cylinder professionally readjusted/rebuilt based on the brand new key. Should be $50-$100.



Quote, originally posted by MinisterofDOOM »
Get out of my gene pool. And take your ES350 with you.

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qship96

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4480 posts
1996 Q45
Timonium,Md
11-24-2002

 « 


and.................dont put lots of keys,doo-dads,heavy keychain ornaments on your keyring,as the added grams will accelerate wear to lock and key.
jamesmost

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1920 posts
"95Qmodded, M30 Conv. both in minty, 1986 MB 560sec
Strong Island NY
7-8-2003

 « Re: (Jesda)


Quote, originally posted by Jesda »
1) Use a tube of graphite (available at Home Depot) to spray into the key hole and on the key to lubricate it. That did the trick for me and it improved over time with use. If that fails...

2) Have a brand new key made based on your VIN number. Should be $50-$100. And then...

3) Have the ignition lock cylinder professionally readjusted/rebuilt based on the brand new key. Should be $50-$100.


Jesda did u use the graphite powder ??
CrimsonQ



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1770 posts
Purple People Eater
Kansas Chitty KS
4-20-2005

 « Re: (jamesmost)


Quote, originally posted by jamesmost »

Jesda did u use the graphite powder ??

Lol looked like he did!




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JedCoop



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288 posts
94 Q45t w/TCS, 92 Q45 w/TCS, 91 Q45 touring (RIP)
San Jose CA
11-23-2003

 « Re: (Jesda)


Quote, originally posted by Jesda »
1) Use a tube of graphite (available at Home Depot) to spray into the key hole and on the key to lubricate it. That did the trick for me and it improved over time with use. If that fails...

2) Have a brand new key made based on your VIN number. Should be $50-$100. And then...

3) Have the ignition lock cylinder professionally readjusted/rebuilt based on the brand new key. Should be $50-$100.

I have done (1) and (2) already - the new factory key cost $142 plus tax from my friendly but inflated priced Infiniti dealer. The factory key is much better, it works about 1 out of 3 times! I'm going to do (3) - in California your $50-$100 is at least $200.

My key chains have always been lean, I hate wads of keys and dangly-things.


JedCoop



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288 posts
94 Q45t w/TCS, 92 Q45 w/TCS, 91 Q45 touring (RIP)
San Jose CA
11-23-2003

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (jamesmost)


Quote, originally posted by jamesmost »
my 95 is starting to do that as well

I was really hoping that this was fixed in the 94s and newer. Hopefully the rebuild isn't painfull (i.e. resonable price and it works!)

MinisterofDOOM
Admin of DOOM



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23968 posts
1995 Q45t, 1993 Maxima GXE, 2004 Maxima SE
Layton UT
5-19-2004

 « Re: (Q451990)


Graphite powder makes a huge difference.

Quote, originally posted by Q451990 »
This type of lock is commonly called a "wafer lock" by locksmiths.
Heath

Ahh, the double wafer tumbler: bane of lock-picks everywhere!

Does Nissan use side-bar wafers? Ugh...not fun at all.



-The MinisterofDOOM
|The Q of DOOM| - |The Maxima| - | Hear my Q!|


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Flagship-Q



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302 posts
1992 Infiniti Q45
Ft. Wayne IN
6-7-2005

 « 


In the service records of my Q from the previous owner, he had the same problem and had to have infiniti replace all locks and ignition to the tune of $1300. Not pretty. Hope there's a cheaper route.



1992 Inifiniti Q45, 123K, 3rd Owner, 17x7.5 Chrome Faulken Torque 5, 225/50/VR17 Toyo Proxes TPT, Active Swaybars, 94 Auto-Dimming Mirror, Chrome Inside Door Handles, Updated, Chain Guides, Bose, Tranny Cooler (2 Filters), Lucas Synthetics.

Q45denver



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941 posts
1995 Q45t 1990 Q45 1998 Nissan Frontier
Denver CO
7-25-2002

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (JedCoop)


I had the same problem with my 1990-even with the replacement factory key. I finally just removed the clear. plastic ring around the outside of the lock and now it works fine with either key.
JedCoop



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288 posts
94 Q45t w/TCS, 92 Q45 w/TCS, 91 Q45 touring (RIP)
San Jose CA
11-23-2003

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (Q45denver)


Quote, originally posted by Q45denver »
I had the same problem with my 1990-even with the replacement factory key. I finally just removed the clear. plastic ring around the outside of the lock and now it works fine with either key.

hmmmm... the price is sure right. But I don't see how that makes a difference. Does the ring somehow keep the cylinder aligned? Looser seems like it would be worse, not better. I'm going to take it apart and see. Thanks

jamesmost

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1920 posts
"95Qmodded, M30 Conv. both in minty, 1986 MB 560sec
Strong Island NY
7-8-2003

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (JedCoop)


Graphite powdered today feels good time will tell
AlabamaDan



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1557 posts
94-Q45 98-QX4 88-Jeep XJ 4x4
Heart of Dixie
8-2-2002

 « 


I seem to recall from my memory that the original Infiniti keys are made from Platnium and appear to wear the locks down faster.

My Q didn't come with the original key and I was going to have one made that's how all this came up. I just use a aftermarket key cut from a good locksmith.

If you think about it, Inifiniti even stopped using those keys.

They look really really cool, but over the long haul 150k cause problems I hear.



Danny

Done- Jeff Williams FSTB, Touring Rear Sway Bar, Valve Cover Gaskets, Fuel Filter, Spark Plugs, Brakes, Michelin Pilot Exalto 96V tires, Cleaned MAF, Cleaned Throttle Body, Cleaned EGR, Steering Rack Boots, Upper Links, Tokiko Blues, Boots and Bump Stops, Replaced Various Bushings, Mobile 1 Oil and Filter, BG-44K, Synthetic Fluid in Diff.

Pending- Alignment, Transmission Cooler

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jamesmost

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1920 posts
"95Qmodded, M30 Conv. both in minty, 1986 MB 560sec
Strong Island NY
7-8-2003

 « Re: (dannymchale)


Quote, originally posted by dannymchale »
I seem to recall from my memory that the original Infiniti keys are made from Platnium and appear to wear the locks down faster.

My Q didn't come with the original key and I was going to have one made that's how all this came up. I just use a aftermarket key cut from a good locksmith.

If you think about it, Inifiniti even stopped using those keys.

They look really really cool, but over the long haul 150k cause problems I hear.


Other posts claim aftermarket keys degrade the cylinder.
I have origional wife has aftermarket. origional used 90% of the time
Wheez

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1 posts
'95Q,'79ZX,'72Z,'74B210,'95Maxima,'80ZX
Yuba City CA
2-14-2006

 « Re: (jamesmost)


Just rebuilt drivers door lock cyl. for my '95Q - Smooth as butter now.
Kind of a pain in the *** tho. 10 separate tumblers to deal with.
maxnix
NICO Supporter



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38 posts
1995 Q45, 1995 Q45t, 2000 Q45
Austin TX
7-22-2002

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (JedCoop)


The main deal here is to have nothing but your remote hanging off your ignition keychain.

If your keychain looks like a building superintendant's, the ignition switch will wear very fast.

Modified by maxnix at 10:10 PM 10/2/2006



Brian
1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

DrewQ45



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1960 posts

Atlanta
10-22-2002

 « Re: (qship96)


Quote, originally posted by qship96 »
and.................dont put lots of keys,doo-dads,heavy keychain ornaments on your keyring,as the added grams will accelerate wear to lock and key.

Damn Qship, does this mean I have to get this off my keychain?





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simma

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4 posts

surrey bc
9-25-2006

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (Q45denver)


Hi my '92Q has been having this problem of removing the key and sometimes turning the key to start the ignition. Has anyone had any luck removing this clear plastic ring and resolving the problem? If so how can I go abouts and do this?
simma

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4 posts

surrey bc
9-25-2006

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (simma)


just got my key copied at a local locksmith for $40. this fixed all key problems for me =).
Jesda
Nice Pants, full of bacon and win



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30647 posts
LETS GO VANNING
ITS A PARTY IN THE USA
5-5-2003

 « 


Wow, he had blanks ready to cut?
simma

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4 posts

surrey bc
9-25-2006

 « Re: (Jesda)


yea the local infiniti dealership actualli referred me to the small shop. saved me $100 from them. i was surprised they even had the blanks too.
lino



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2271 posts
1991 Q45a FED-SPEC
East Coast
8-15-2005

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (JedCoop)


Quote, originally posted by JedCoop »
My '92Q has over 190K. I have the original two factory keys. Both of which progressively have gotten worse and worse. They get stuck during insertion into the iginition key slot, now it takes five or so minutes to get the right magic combination to get the key inserted.
...so I bought a new factory key from Infiniti to solve the problem...
$150 later, the new key works usually in the first five attempts, so it takes only 20 seconds or so to start the car - a real improvement , but it still stinks. The key gets stuck just when the small square hole in the key is about to go into the key cylinder.

I am experiencing the same problem with my car right now. It's real frustrating. I called Joe and he recommended calling a locksmith and also mentioned that he's not allowed to sell a new key to an out-of-state cutomer. I'm going to start calling around to see how much rebuilding a lock cylinder will cost.

When I bought my car, it came with an aftermarket key and the original valet key. I was wondering since I'm experiencing problems with my ignition (starting the car only, not the door lock), could it be, because of using the aftermarket key?



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Try to beat these prices:

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Q45tech
Q45 Guru

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13721 posts
1990 Q45 323,000 miles 19.5 years ownership
Marietta , Georgia
4-30-2002

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (lino)


Master Keys have a Titanium alloy circular decorative logo insert.



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saps5789

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10 posts

seaford ny
4-2-2007

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (simma)


where is the locksmith located that can cut keys
oldmako



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565 posts
'99 Q45 156K Black&Tan '96 Silverado 5.0 235K '89 23' Irvette CC F351
virginia beach virginia
12-3-2007

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (saps5789)


I got two keys cut in Norfolk Virginia for $2.75 each. However on a '99 car, the key will not start the engine. It will spin the starter and open all the doors and trunk, but the anti-theft brain doesn't recognize the chipless key and won't enable the ignition circuit.

Seems to me like it might be worthwhile to rip the whole thing out when the car starts to get long in the tooth and just stick and auto-zone ignition cylinder in the darn thing. My dealer gets 145 bucks for a new key.

Read all about it!
http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/302127




Since purchase Dec 07: Front struts-mounts-springs & rubber, Tension Rods, Stbd Tie Rod End, Front Brakes & Shims, All Belts, Mondo 245 tires, Spark Plugs, RR Diff with M1, RR Brake Fluid with my three dollar gizmo, RR PS fluid, RR coolant, RR Blinker Fluid M1, B/G TrannyFlush w/M1 and super jizz, Tranny Cooler, Misc wrenching and what not, 130!
Q45th46

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1 posts
1991 Infiniti Q45
chicago IL
1-8-2008

 « 


Well my key is stuck completely in slot any suggestions?
Woot!



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1588 posts
1991 Infiniti
St. George UT
11-30-2007

 « Re: (Q45th46)


Mine was doing this when I first got it and it had been sitting for a while... I figured it just got sand in it. Just hit the key with the palm of your hand a few times and usually that will do it for me. I only had to do it a few times than it has worked fine from then on.



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Haitian_King



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2803 posts
1992 Infiniti Q45
Willingboro NJ
1-13-2007

 « Re: (Woot!)


My key works great. I just have 2 different ones. Sometime in my Q's life BHK (Before Haitian_King), the ignition lock was recut. Or maybe it was the doors that were redone. Either way, I have one key that only turns in the ignition and one key that opens doors, glovebox, and trunk. Plus my valet key.

I guess it's either have the doors and trunk redone to match the ignition or have the ignition redone to match the doors. At night, the keys looks so similar that sometimes I put the ignition key in the door or the door key in the ignition. The result is a key that won't turn and lots of swearing.



"Don’t buy a poorly maintained Q… It’ll be like falling in love with a high priced hooker! The sex will be great but you’ll be broke and up all night crying." - DrewQ45

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306 posts
Q45, Formula 1, World Rally, Travel
Lower Mainland, BC
7-27-2002

 « Re: (Haitian_King)


A few years ago, the monster key got progressively worse to the point of having to exert inward pressure (push the key in) while trying to turn it to start the car. I changed to the other monster key I got with the car and it worked great, so I figured it was the end of the key that had worn down. A year or so later it started to happen again with the "newer" monster key. I immediately switched over to the valet key and the ignition has worked flawlessly ever since. Luckily we got 2 monster keys, 2 valet keys and a wallet key with the car! Our "new" '95 just came with the 1 monster key and it seems almost impossible to get a spare, wallet or valet key made.



'92 Q45 - '95 TCU, 20mm "Active" rear bar, trans cooler, Avon Tech M500 245/50x16 (Excellent grip, quiet, NOT uni-directional!). SOLD!

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dosborne

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5 posts
1990 Q45
Bend OR
7-19-2008

 « Re: Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q (Q45denver)


I am going to try that, this is new advice that I have not heard yet.
 

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