Its been this way for a few months...
I put the key in, and it doesnt go all the way. As its about to go all the way in the ignition, it feels like it jams up on something. I have to keep removing and reinserting it to get it right, which is a pain since the steering wheel keeps moving up and down every time I insert it.
I know I caused it, since I used to have three keys and three heavy keychains dangling off it.
Tried WD40, which didnt help. Any other ideas?
Thanks,-Jesda
Key Stuck on Insertion
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Jeff Williams
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 4:17 am
- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
I think a 2003 M45 should do the trick!
I would try some sewing machine oil, on the key.
Mine has started sticking half way between the insertion point, and on. It kinda stops, and acts stuck. It only does this, when I try to start the car really fast. If I slowly insert the car, and turn it, there is no problem.
I may take my own advice (see solution above).
I would try some sewing machine oil, on the key.
Mine has started sticking half way between the insertion point, and on. It kinda stops, and acts stuck. It only does this, when I try to start the car really fast. If I slowly insert the car, and turn it, there is no problem.
I may take my own advice (see solution above).
Mine does this every time. I have to pull it out half way and keep jabbing like I'm stabbing the ignition 2 or 3 times until it goes in.
I bought this:...for $2.60 at Wal-Mart.
It comes with a long 4" tube so you can get into hard to reach spaces. I put some all over the key and inside the keyhole, and there was no progress.
I jabbed for a good twenty minutes to no avail and gave up. No matter what angle I tried to insert the key, it would sometimes go right in or sometimes take 2-3 jabs to finally go in all the way.
Sux.
-Jesda
I bought this:...for $2.60 at Wal-Mart.
It comes with a long 4" tube so you can get into hard to reach spaces. I put some all over the key and inside the keyhole, and there was no progress.
I jabbed for a good twenty minutes to no avail and gave up. No matter what angle I tried to insert the key, it would sometimes go right in or sometimes take 2-3 jabs to finally go in all the way.
Sux.
-Jesda
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Jeff Williams
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 4:17 am
- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
Sorry, man. I have no clue.
Maybe the guy your getting the ignition from, can tell you how it came out & how to install it.
You might try the online mechanic forum, for some technical help on this.
I had the ignition replaced on my old Honda Accord, and it cost me $35.00, inlcuding the parts and labor. I am sure the Q is a little different.
Maybe the guy your getting the ignition from, can tell you how it came out & how to install it.
You might try the online mechanic forum, for some technical help on this.
I had the ignition replaced on my old Honda Accord, and it cost me $35.00, inlcuding the parts and labor. I am sure the Q is a little different.
Did some more reading and talked to a bunch of locksmiths (man, you never know how valuable they are until you need them).
I also ordered a used ignition switch and key from a wrecked 91 with under 100k off ebay for $35 shipped.
One locksmith said the old cylinder could be bent from using heavy keychains.
Another said the old key could be slightly warped from using heavy keychains.
I was half way through removing my old ignition when I got curious. I put my old key into my new (used) ignition and it did the same thing!! It got jammed/stuck part of the way in. I put the new (used) key in the new (used) ignition and it went in and out fine.
That got me thinking some more.
I put the old key in the old ignition and half the time it would get stuck, as usual. But the new (used) key in the old ignition went in and out fine.
Both of my old keys had the same jamming problem upon insertion on the old and new ignition.
I picked up a small tube of graphite powder at the hardware store, which helped a bit.
I think my tentative conclusion is that I need new keys. I will test out this theory tomorrow and report back. Thank goodness, because the ignition looks like a royal pain to remove.
And if all goes well, I guess I'll have an ignition switch and key for sale.
-Jesda
I also ordered a used ignition switch and key from a wrecked 91 with under 100k off ebay for $35 shipped.
One locksmith said the old cylinder could be bent from using heavy keychains.
Another said the old key could be slightly warped from using heavy keychains.
I was half way through removing my old ignition when I got curious. I put my old key into my new (used) ignition and it did the same thing!! It got jammed/stuck part of the way in. I put the new (used) key in the new (used) ignition and it went in and out fine.
That got me thinking some more.
I put the old key in the old ignition and half the time it would get stuck, as usual. But the new (used) key in the old ignition went in and out fine.
Both of my old keys had the same jamming problem upon insertion on the old and new ignition.
I picked up a small tube of graphite powder at the hardware store, which helped a bit.
I think my tentative conclusion is that I need new keys. I will test out this theory tomorrow and report back. Thank goodness, because the ignition looks like a royal pain to remove.
And if all goes well, I guess I'll have an ignition switch and key for sale.
-Jesda
Jesda,
95% sure it is your keys. I had the same problem with the original Bronze (gold color) keys and I never had anything but a keyfob for the alarm on it. My car is a 90 and the raised portion of the key (the part that is actually cut) wears down over time and doesn't engage the pins in the tumbler. I had a new key cut and the problem went away.
I'd start there.
95% sure it is your keys. I had the same problem with the original Bronze (gold color) keys and I never had anything but a keyfob for the alarm on it. My car is a 90 and the raised portion of the key (the part that is actually cut) wears down over time and doesn't engage the pins in the tumbler. I had a new key cut and the problem went away.
I'd start there.
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valleybouy
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 1:06 pm
- Car: autos computers stock market
ignition key
I had this same problem in my 91Q about 6 years ago. The tech replaced a security system relay and I have not had a problem since. valleybouy
Jesda- I'm not a locksmith, but thanks to a former law enforcement career I have had a little experience picking them. This is just my assessment based on experience with my own Q and educated guessing, so don't take it as gospel.
The worn keys are jamming against the pins inside the tumbler (I assume). The pins work "on top of" instead of against the cuts and wedge the key. Look at the key and you can see that the Infiniti uses a non-typical design that doesn't cut the entire thickness of the blade. There is a flat blade with raised "cuts" on both sides of it. The cut patterns are reversed from one side to the next. Therefore, the pins in the tumbler have very little surface area to engage and as the "raised" portion wears down, the pins wedge against the key instead of riding along the cuts.
It is possible that the opposite is true also and your tumbler is worn, not the key-- in which case changing keys will make it worse. All I know is that I have 5 keys; 3 gold oem and 3 silver oem "valet keys" (no valley cut down the middle of each side, preventing them from opening the trunk and glove box). 2 of my gold (original) keys won't work and all of my valet keys and duplicate gold key do. The 2 gold keys that don't work do EXACTLY what you are describing. The only physical differences seem to be the thickness of the cuts on the keys.
The worn keys are jamming against the pins inside the tumbler (I assume). The pins work "on top of" instead of against the cuts and wedge the key. Look at the key and you can see that the Infiniti uses a non-typical design that doesn't cut the entire thickness of the blade. There is a flat blade with raised "cuts" on both sides of it. The cut patterns are reversed from one side to the next. Therefore, the pins in the tumbler have very little surface area to engage and as the "raised" portion wears down, the pins wedge against the key instead of riding along the cuts.
It is possible that the opposite is true also and your tumbler is worn, not the key-- in which case changing keys will make it worse. All I know is that I have 5 keys; 3 gold oem and 3 silver oem "valet keys" (no valley cut down the middle of each side, preventing them from opening the trunk and glove box). 2 of my gold (original) keys won't work and all of my valet keys and duplicate gold key do. The 2 gold keys that don't work do EXACTLY what you are describing. The only physical differences seem to be the thickness of the cuts on the keys.
One more thing, I talked to an Infiniti tech who told me that if the tumbler is worn... use a fine flat draw file and "true up" ever so slightly, each side of the key until it will insert easily. You could even use 400 grit sand paper or emery board. He said sometimes that will make the key fit the tumbler. Sand, try, sand, try, etc. and make sure you flip the key once on each try because one side may work before the other.
I guess it's worth a try... I just did it to one of my old keys and it worked! Wierd though, because now it doesn't like the door lock at all...
These keys are all about thickness.
I guess it's worth a try... I just did it to one of my old keys and it worked! Wierd though, because now it doesn't like the door lock at all...
These keys are all about thickness.
Awesome.
I'll try sanding an old key, but I'll also do the $45 for a new key.
Its funny, both the dealers in St Louis use ONE GUY who is a mobile locksmith to create their keys. And hes the only one of all the locksmiths I called who can make a key for the Q.
Im not too concerned about the door, since I have a spare key and I use remote keyless anyway.
Thanks for the help!
-Jesda
I'll try sanding an old key, but I'll also do the $45 for a new key.
Its funny, both the dealers in St Louis use ONE GUY who is a mobile locksmith to create their keys. And hes the only one of all the locksmiths I called who can make a key for the Q.
Im not too concerned about the door, since I have a spare key and I use remote keyless anyway.
Thanks for the help!
-Jesda
Jesda!
When I saw your "day from hell" thread I thought it had to do w/your key woes... A FREAKIN GAS CAP? HAIL? BAD DEALER? Hot chocolate won't do it my man. Sorry to hear it-- been there-- really sorry to hear it!
So did you get the key issue resolved? I see you are now giving away an ignition/key... is that a good thing?
When I saw your "day from hell" thread I thought it had to do w/your key woes... A FREAKIN GAS CAP? HAIL? BAD DEALER? Hot chocolate won't do it my man. Sorry to hear it-- been there-- really sorry to hear it!
So did you get the key issue resolved? I see you are now giving away an ignition/key... is that a good thing?
Ah! Yes I did. I got a graphite tube at Home Depot and shot a few puffs into the cylinder and on the key. That helped a little, but then I switched to my spare key, which now works perfectly. My valet keys work perfectly too.
At some point I'll have to make a new key for a proper spare. w00t!
-Jesda
At some point I'll have to make a new key for a proper spare. w00t!
-Jesda