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I too, had the same problem. This issue has left me stranded in a parking lot before. At least this time, I was lucky enough to come across the website.  Sadly, I have a relatively new vehicle (2007 Jeep Wrangler) and I am having this problem...so apparently it isnt something that Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge is planning to fix anytime soon. God bless beating it with a mallet!  

This forum rocks!  Started with a couple of slight taps straight in on the key with a rubber mallet...then turned the steering wheel back and forth while simulatenously turning the key (pushing in a bit with a slight up/down jiggle) worked like a charm.  I tried taking the key out many times as a test and every time it wouldn't budge...but every time the method above worked.  Calling a locksmith now to see if the ignition switch is something they can repair rather than paying the dealer an arm and leg.

It's like that old joke where the farmer charges the broken down traveller $500 to fix his car, but does so by hitting the engine once with a hammer.  Traveller says outraged:  "I could have done that!  How can you charge me $500 to hit the engine with a hammer?".  Farmer says "You gotta know where to hit it".  

PS:  Mine is a 2000 Dodge Caravan.  Good rig though so far...never have had any other problems besides some brake issues that were easily repaired by Les Schwab and a starter going out.  

I am trying to get everyone with a key/ignition      problem where you just cant start your car and go because of lockup to contact me. I AM LOOKING LOTS OF PEOPLE TO TRY TO FORCE CHRYSLER TO FIX OUR VEHICLES FREE OR ELSE I WILL TRY TO HAVE A CLASS ACTION CASE AGAINST THEM. WRITE A LETTER TO stevenelijah@gmail.com and say include me. It will take a while but we can prevail. The publicity will hurt them more than anything else. they will pay or fix .I am MAD    It should not cost us money when they make a faulty system.If you are a victum    please contact me.   steve  

I have a 99 grand caravan with the ignition problem.  After 2 AAA visits, the second locksmith fixed it disassemling the ignition and sanding the tumblers with an emery cloth.  He said Chrysler knew about it, but since it only affected 20 to 30 thousand parts, it wasn't worth their trouble to fix it.  He told me he had just gone on a call for the same problem with a new chrysler car, less than six months old.  She declined spending the extra 20 bucks he was charging because it was under new car warranty.  Chysler put a new ignition in for her, and she had to call the locksmith the very next day when the new one locked up, leaving her stranded again.  Get your locksmith to fix it; it's cheaper and lasts longer than buying new chysler junk.  

I have been having the same issue with my 2001 Durango for several months and the key tapping will work - for a while. Mine got to the point where I went from 2-3 light taps with a screwdriver handle to 5-6 hard taps and even that wouldn't always work. Today was the last straw, I almost couldn't get it to turn even after 8-10 smacks. I called a local locksmith and he knew exactly what the problem was. I got it started again and for $65 at his shop he pulled the lock cylinder out and rebuilt it using better components than the oem cylinder. Having it replaced at your dealer will only cure the problem for a while until that replacement cylinder wears out too since they have not changed the design. I grin like a damn fool every time I start it now. No more screwdrivers, paper towels or WD40 clogging my cup holders and my steering column is all back together so it doesn't look like I jacked my own car. Plus I am still using the original key. Best money I've spent in weeks.  

Can't turn the key in the ignition to start the car.

The car is a 2004 Chrysler Crossfire (Canada)and a year ago the Cylinder Lock was replaced on warranty.
It's happening again but it's 1-yr. and 3-weeks since the service was done.
Service Warranty of one year is over and they say to repair it, pay, and then make a claim to Chrysler. That can only lead to Chrysler Customer Service problems, I believe.

Is it stated that a locksmith can replace this part instead of a dealer?
Is it some kind of generic part?
Any other advise other than the mallet and/or wd40.  

replacing the switch is only a temporary solution. after awhile the problem starts again. Best solution. If you are stuck NOW tap the back of the key with a screwdriver, mallet anything sort of solid and it will usually work after 2 good taps. Then buy some electric part cleaner spray which comes with a little red tube to fit in the nozzle. Poke the nozzle thru a rag or paper towel and spray for 5-7 seconds into the keyhole. The red tip should be moving in and out all the while. wait 10-15 seconds and repeat.
Then put can outside of vehicle and spray can upside down for a few seconds to remove liquid. Then re-insert into keyway and using propelling with can upside down  blow out any debree. dirt will get caught on rag you have tubing poked thru and some may drip down so use a second rag to catch drips. This is what I did months ago and it is still working. then email to stevenelijah@gmail.com  and if he gets enough people he maybe can get chrysler to do something for us. The above solution works most always. It seems lint and small amounts of dirt build up inside keeping key from going in ALL the way. god bless you all.  

Mattlock,

What do you tap with the mallet in order to get it started so you can take it to a locksmith?

caravan2000  

replace the ignition cylinder yourself.  

take a jumper wire and make shure you have a good ground and put a good ground on  
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John R. seeking for the best maintenance help on Toyota Corolla cars..

I just had this problem this morning with my unreliable 2001 Dodge Caravan.  I found this thread and the mallet approach worked!  The van is still an unreliable piece of ***  This is the second time this has happened to me.  Last time I put a new ignition in the bag of bolts.  About 1 month after we returned home after being evacuated from Hurricane Katrina, I was driving down the road and the van just stopped.  I had to pay to have it towed and I was told it had "metal" flying through the transmission.  I had to pay $1900 to have it fixed because ofcourse the warranty was out of date.  No one could tell me why there was metal flying through the transmission.  Instead of fixing my house from hurricane damage right away, I had to fix this.  I WILL NEVER EVER EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE THEY PRODUCE!!!  The only reason I still drive this lemon is because it is paid off and I cannot afford to buy another vehicle until I graduate in another year.  When I do graduate from college, I am going to take the same hammer I had to use to start this piece of *** with and destroy it piece by piece.  I may film it and mail it to Dodge along with any small parts that fall off during the demolition.  

I am stupefied! The rubber mallet DOES work! Last year i had locked my keys in the trunk of my 2002 Sebring convertible and had to summon a locksmith. Sixty five dollars later I had my keys and an extra key for the doors and trunk. The locksmith had told me this key would not start the car as it did not have the "chip". Well, the other day I came across this key in my center console and for God knows what reason, I inserted the key in the ignition. Just as the locksmith had said, it did not work. I don't know why, but i guess I somehow imagined that he was lying to me for some reason and at that moment I needed to really test the key's workability. After that I put the key away. Several hours later I went out to start the car and the ignition would not turn - and I realized that my stupid attempt to use the dummy key had just screwed up the "chip" sensor. Boy did i feel stupid. Immediately I envisioned the mounting expense to undo this situation- weeks before Christmas when money was tight enough without some stupid repair that I stupidly caused. Before I called anyone I figured I'd check the web for any solutions to this problem. I came upon this thread and thought, this can't possibly be that simple a solution. Doubtfully I followed the instructions and banged on the key as it I was trying to drive it all the way into the column. After a couple of trys, the car started. As i said, I am stupefied!!! Thank you for this information.    

Thanks for everybody's input.  We tapped the column with a screwdriver and the key worked(01 Caravan). This advice saved me at least $200, after tow charges.  Many thanks to you all.  

Thanks for the solution.  Note your mileage may vary regarding "gentle taps".  My ignition wouldn't budge until I lost my patience after several "gentle taps" sessions and slammed the key into the lock with a hammer as hard as I could several times (not *that* hard, impossible to swing a hammer very hard in that space, but "gentle" it wasn't) -- but still being careful not to bend it!  It is also 17 degrees here, which probably contributed to the problem and certainly to my irritation with the problem.  I know I'll never be buying or recommending another American car.  *** garbage.  

Sebring Convertible 2000 Limited Key won't turn  problem : also fixed with 3 taps on the key with a screwdriver -  no wonder Chrysler Ford and GM are sinking like the Titanic !!