Problems with worn ignition key cylinder '92Q

[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. 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?]

[jamesmost]

my 95 is starting to do that as well

[Q451990]

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

[Rex]

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.

[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.

[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.

[jamesmost]

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]

Jesda did u use the graphite powder ??

Lol looked like he did!

[JedCoop]

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]

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]

Graphite powder makes a huge difference.

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.

[Flagship-Q]

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.

[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.

[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.

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]

Graphite powdered today feels good time will tell

[AlabamaDan]

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.

[jamesmost]

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]

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]

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

[DrewQ45]

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?

[simma]

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]

just got my key copied at a local locksmith for $40. this fixed all key problems for me =).

[Jesda]

Wow, he had blanks ready to cut?

[simma]

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]

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?

[Q45tech]

Master Keys have a Titanium alloy circular decorative logo insert.

[saps5789]

where is the locksmith located that can cut keys

[oldmako]

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!zerothread/302127

[Q45th46]

Well my key is stuck completely in slot any suggestions?

[Woot!]

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.