2002 Q45 - Key won't turn out of lock

[richschramm]

Hi,

I just bought an 02 Q45. It worked fine when I test drove the car and fine when I picked it up yesterday. It worked fine earlier today but now it is acting goofy. When I put the key in, it does not seem to recognize there is a key there or something. The steering wheel does not move or anything. After trying for a few minutes, it eventually recognizes it and then it turns and the car starts and everything is good, but it takes it awhile.

I also saw on my drive home last night that the buttons on the steering wheel for cruise, audio, press to talk, etc. do not light up. Are they supposed to light up or are those dark? I also saw last night that the interior front dome lights are out. I tried replacing the bulbs this morning and the old ones were obviously burnt out, but the new ones did not work either (and yes, the ignition thing happened after I tried replacing the bulbs and I put the old bulbs back in and it did not help).

Thoughts? Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Rich

[Mopar]

Well I don't know about the rest but I know that the keys on the wheel don't light up there is no bulb behind it.

Hi,

I just bought an 02 Q45. It worked fine when I test drove the car and fine when I picked it up yesterday. It worked fine earlier today but now it is acting goofy. When I put the key in, it does not seem to recognize there is a key there or something. The steering wheel does not move or anything. After trying for a few minutes, it eventually recognizes it and then it turns and the car starts and everything is good, but it takes it awhile.

I also saw on my drive home last night that the buttons on the steering wheel for cruise, audio, press to talk, etc. do not light up. Are they supposed to light up or are those dark? I also saw last night that the interior front dome lights are out. I tried replacing the bulbs this morning and the old ones were obviously burnt out, but the new ones did not work either (and yes, the ignition thing happened after I tried replacing the bulbs and I put the old bulbs back in and it did not help).

Thoughts? Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Rich

[maxnix]

What does the owner's manual say?

[richschramm]

It says nothing about this particular problem, at least not that I could find. It says in general, electronics problems you should check the fuses, and I have, and I see nothing there. Besides, the intermittent nature would not indicate a fuse. Fuses are either open or closed...

[goody90q45]

Your problem sounds pretty unique. It's time to do some troubleshooting using the factory service manual (FSM). If you didn't get a hard copy with your Q here's the PDF version. Troubleshooting of components will be in the electrical (EL) section. Good luck with the gremlins.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/

[RAP]

I tried replacing the bulbs this morning and the old ones were obviously burnt out, but the new ones did not work either (and yes, the ignition thing happened after I tried replacing the bulbs and I put the old bulbs back in and it did not help).

Just got my Q45. One day last week I had the same problem " ignition key would not turn" WTF? I moved the steering wheel a slight amount and voila! Watta a relief that was phew.

Actually happened that way. I had parked at a slight angle to the lines and the wheels were still under some steering force when I removed the key. Removing the key locks the steering. Happens to most people at one time or another.

Can't say about burned bulbs except bulbs burn sometimes. If you replace the bulbs and they burn again immediately then you have a problem with a short somewhere in that circuit. Need some book help to track.

Fuses are good, or, burned, then no good. Put in new fuse and it burns there is short. Circuit breakers open then you close, if they re-opens then there is a short.

Good luck

Jack

[ahzeem]

Your problem sounds pretty unique. It's time to do some troubleshooting using the factory service manual (FSM). If you didn't get a hard copy with your Q here's the PDF version. Troubleshooting of components will be in the electrical (EL) section. Good luck with the gremlins.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/

HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM... I changed my battery and now the key fob won't turn from the lock position. Please help

[djwarner]

I had the same key problem shortly after buying my '02 Q45. Only later did I figure out the steering wheel was applying pressure on the lock. Wiggling the wheel freed the key and all was normal.

As for the interior lights, try resetting the systems back to factory default.

[marksport]

Steering wheel locks when the key is removed, there is a bit of resistance from the tires trying to straighten out the steering wheel and binds against the lock. Nearly all my car do that. Wiggle the steering wheel and turn the key, that should work. Otherwise straighten out your wheels and the steering before you shut off and take the key out.