91' Q45 KEY IGNITION HELP!!!! PLZ

[SanDY33go]

my friend just bought a 91' Q45 with a messed up key ignition. sometimes you have to use the tip of the key to get through the secuirty gate then wiggle it and turn to start it up. well this morning we had to move the car and this technique wasn't working for us and took us the whole day!! the last owner said it's a problem for the early Q45 models for the security gate to jam and it can be easily fixed with some WD-40. that didn't work out so we had to take evrything apart and use a flat head to turn the ignition switch. it worked fine but now the steering wheel is on lock and there is no way we can turn without using the key. we were thinking of just buying a new lock cylinder kit but it was around $700!!

is the problem the lock cylinder? secuirty gate? or just the damn car!! we're really annoyed and want this headache to go away. and to top off the night we just find out the sony 10-disc cd changer eject button isn't working, so we can't put CD's in!! is it possible to use another lock cylinder kit from the same model Q45 from the junkyard?? because 700 is just ridiculous!! please help us. thank you

-Aaron

[cccpman]

graphite powder anybody?

[Jesda]

Do not use WD40. Like CCCPman said, use graphite powder. Get it from Ace, Home Depot, or a locksmith.

Then, have a professional locksmith rebuild your lock cylinder.

[lunchmeat]

I've had the same problem. How would I be able to take the lock cylinder off of this car, and what would I need to ask the locksmith to do?

[SanDY33go]

ok ima try out this graphite powder later on today. if that doesn't work i'll check to see if a locksmith can take a look at? this means i gotta take it off but there's a bolt on the bottom with no screw. i don't wanna tow my car anywhere

[Jesda]

Usually, you can pay them to take out the lock cylinder for you. There's a couple previous threads on this issue with much more info.

[Q45tech]

Buying a very used 16 year old $40k car means you first must fix the $3,000 to $10,000 [at dealer prices] defects and defered repairs previous owners allowed to accumulate. Why these years are $2-3,000 less than a same year Mileage Lexus V8 because they need immediate work.

Every 90-93 had these ignition problems eventually usually after the 100k mark.

[Q451990]

this means i gotta take it off but there's a bolt on the bottom with no screw. i don't wanna tow my car anywhere

The bolts on the U-bracket on the bottom are held in place by bolts that had heads that sheer off, it was a security feature. You can drill them out, and then reinstall with regular bolts... probably cap-head allen screws would work the best.

Oh, and it looks like a new one is about $275 shipped from Joe.

http://www.trademotion.com/par...gid=1

http://www.trademotion.com/par...gid=1

Heath

[lunchmeat]

How do you take the two bottom bolts off? there are no threads on them

[greg_atlanta]

graphite powder anybody?

I'm having the same problem, guess I'll have to call the locksmith.

The local locksmith who does a lot of Q/LS work says to NEVER use graphite powder since it clogs up the springs inside the lock. He recommends a liquid spray with teflon & graphite and/or WD-40.

[cccpman]

greg_atlanta I think that locksmith is an idiot if he says never do this and that and the repair has been used on tons of Q's with success. spraying vs sprinkling graphite on to something... mmm the spray dries out (if not it runs down and ruins the springs im sure!) and leaves... graphite powder

WD-40 is not a great idea, and because he recommended it I recommend you get a new locksmith. Jesda knows what he is talking about, the only time you *might* be forced to use it as a temporary fix that will lead to a repair is if you have a locksmith who tells you to spray in a teflon/graphite liquid and it freezes up - at that time the WD-40 might be able to help a little

[Q451990]

Amazingly, I have gotten the same advice from my locksmith. I don't like WD-40 for anything other than a rust release agent - but just to back up what Greg is saying... These wafer locks may be different in what lubricants work?

Heath

[Q451990]

How do you take the two bottom bolts off? there are no threads on them

Please see my post right above your last one...

Heath