Car requires a trick to start, worn key or cylinder?

[lbrowne]

The keys I got with my 240 appear to be very worn. You have to jostle with the key a tiny bit to start the car otherwise its almost like you dont have the right key to start the car. Cylinder appears to be deadlocked.

Well this morning I get a call from the wife who isn't too familiar with the "trick" and she cracked the old worn key off in the ignition. That is currently getting removed.

I have one other key from the previous owner (just got the car, just got this extra key). If this key does the same...which looks equally as worn, would you say thats the problem or the cylinder itself?

1990 Hatchback, 5 spd

[lbrowne]

fresh cut key from the spare I picked up seems to have done the trick. for any future similar type probs anyone on here might have. Cheers.

[vancouverbc]

Duly noted.

[ricebike]

ah, were u lucky enough to have the key code on a sticker in the glove box?

X####

I did & that's how I resolved my key problems waay back in '98

[180fan]

You can also have a key made according to vin with certain dealers. Those cost more though...

[nukeone]

I have been able to simply take the key to a "quality" locksmith (not WalMart, Home Depot, local hardware store) ... they are able to "read" the key, which means he can look at the key and match it to a computer program to cut a new one. Not only does it fit and crank better, it even removes easier because of the way it touches that little "push button" release mechanism. They charge me $10 for the first key and then make additional ones for $2 each.

[cazlee]

I was wondering about this myself. I'm used to ignitian cylinder tricks, but the car is my boyfriends first car. I had to explain to him how to "feel" that you were engaging the correct pin to be able to turn the car over, then there's a little wiggle trick to get the key out. The "push" button confused the bejeezus out of me when I first started the car, LOL

[lbrowne]

Heres what happened. I was given a worn key to begin with from the original owner. Wife cracks that off and the guy I bought the car from had an extra he was giving me anyways.

I bring that to a key shop and have another created. Just one to test with to make sure it works. Remember, if a key is badly worn and has developed defects the spare you get cut will most liekly have the same defects and they will continue to get amplied as you make more copies of the copies.... so on, and so forth.

Going to dealer with my VIN was the next step, but all is well now.

[ricebike]

cazlee,

my previous owner had the original keys that came w/ the car as well as the rubber-key handled one...

the original key had my keycode etched in it as well as the sticker on da glovebox... i removed da sticker & kept the original key in my toolbox fo future cutz @ the local stealership if need be...

do get a new key cut & never look back @ the problem again!