Automotive Forums

Also, same ignition problem with 2001 Chrysler TnC. No key turn, out of the blue.
1. mallet hit: worked (wooden end of hammer)
2. disconnect negative battery terminal: didn't work
3. rocking car into park: didn't work
4. pulling on steering wheel to unlock: didn't work
5. Wd-40: didn't have, didn't try.

Thanks bunches for evryone's comments and help. And how, never buy Chrysler or Daodge again. You'd think if theis is a common and recurring problem for the last, say 13 years (1993 was the oldest car mentioned), they could figure it out and fess up to their faultiness. But, no, of course no one at the dealership was aware of any problem like this at all. Whatever American cars. If the big American corporations truly promoted the ethic of capitalism, then they would make better products. Kind of makes one wonder how their businesses survive and who is subsidizing their ineptness.  

I have a 87 reliant and a few years ago I had the same problem with my ignition. I used to keep a lot of keys and stuff on my ignition key ring and it caused the cylender and cylender houseing to wear out of round. I tryed a new cylender but it didn't work because the houseing was oblonged. To fix the problem I covered the key with graphite and put it in the ignition and tryed to start the car. Of coures the car didn't start but when I took the key out I could see where the key was binding up so I took a file and filed down the marks where it was binding up. After that the ignition has been turning fine for years.  

I'm currently suffering the same key-won't-turn scenario with my 1994 Plymouth Voyager.  
I tried turning the steering wheel, but it only moves very slightly one way.  I have had minor problems in the past getting it from Park to Drive (it's automatic) and am worried it's related to that.  I CAN turn on the radio, etc (enough to drain my battery, I'm sure!) by turning the key back, but the darned thing will not turn to start the engine.
My car is the old, no-frills kind, so it does not have a security system.  
I'm going to try the WD-40, then turn it over in exasperation to my husband, hoping he has the magic touch.  Otherwise, my parking spot has a temporary "NO PARKING" sign up starting tomorrow, so maybe I'll just end up getting towed and leaving it for the city to deal with...
I'm reassured that it's not just me, but sorry for everyone else having this problem.  

I have a 2002 Grand Caravan Sport.. this happened a few days ago.. I jiggled and shook, called auto rescue, no dice. Finally called one of those emergency mobile locksmiths.. he was supposed to replace the column, but I went off to the atm, and when I came back it was working.. not sure exactly what he did, but anyway. Rip-off.

Thing is - the day after, my a/c stops blowing cold air. Coincidence? I wonder.

Now, two days after, my radio and clock stay off when I switch on.

I don't know if he possibly disconnected the battery to get the ignition to work,
and if these are alternator or fuse problems?

Does anyone have an idea? I doubt I'm suddenly out of freon.

I appreciate any ideas.. Thanks!

-J  

I have a 2002 Grand Caravan Sport.. this happened a few days ago.. I jiggled and shook, called auto rescue, no dice. Finally called one of those emergency mobile locksmiths.. he was supposed to replace the column, but I went off to the atm, and when I came back it was working.. not sure exactly what he did, but anyway. Rip-off.

Thing is - the day after, my a/c stops blowing cold air. Coincidence? I wonder.

Now, two days after, my radio and clock stay off when I switch on.

I don't know if he possibly disconnected the battery to get the ignition to work,
and if these are alternator or fuse problems?

Does anyone have an idea? I doubt I'm suddenly out of freon.

I appreciate any ideas.. Thanks!

-J  

Same problem on '02 Town & Country that only has 30,000 miles. The mallet worked but became impractical after a few days of having to do it every time and also having to train my wife on this maneuver. So brought it to the dealer and wasn't under warranty so spent $285 to fix the piece of crap.  

What is the mallet trick to unlock the ignition?  

OMGosh!!!!!!!  I can't believe I found this board!!!
You all saved me so much $$$!!!
I have a 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager - this has happened
on and off for about 4 years. The key won't turn and then
starts working again a few hours to a few days later.
It seems to happen when we are in a hurry - something
happens when we turn off the engine.  Once we had a
locksmith take it apart.  He said something about wires
being crossed.  It didn't happen again for 2 years.  
Then saturday it did again.  Our car sat in the driveway
unable to start.  We were waiting for monday when a
locksmith would be cheaper for a house call and I googled
and found you!  I immediatley went out and banged the
key while in the ignition.  It started right up!!!
:-D  
I cannot tell you how happy I am to learn this trick!
I am now driving around with a rubber handled screwdriver
incase it happens again! I hope others can find this board too!!!
Jen  

What is the mallet trick to unlock the ignition?

While the key in in the ignition bang the end of the key
w/ a rubber mallet - I used a rubber handled screwdriver.  
The key should turn right away.

Jen  

Guess what, ME TOO!

2001 Chrysler Voyager, 40,000 miles - no key turn, no go.

Tried the wiggle and shake, worked once or twice.  Tried the wife, worked once or twice.  Now, even the wiggle and the wife won't budge it.

I guess its a new barrel and a hammer for us too then?  

I'm glad I found this forum too! We have a 2001 TnC van, bought used last year.  Encountered this problem once last year and again yesterday.  The first time, WD-40 apparently worked, that's what my wife tried.  This time, she tried that again and I even tried INOX (think WD-40 on steroids) and it didn't work.  I googled the problem and came upon this forum.  I just went out to try to mallet trick, and voila! it worked, first time!  (I used a rubber handled screwdriver.)  It would seem that this problem, being that it has such a rudimentary temporary fix would be easily solveable by the brain trust at Chrysler.  

My (gorgeous) girlfriend was having a problem with her key not turning in her 2K Chrysler Town & Country.  We tried disconnecting the + side of the battery, rocking the van, WD40 on the key and some mild adult language - but nothing worked.  We then read on this forum about the mallot trick and BINGO it worked.  I tapped the key lightly once as if to drive it into the steering column and the key turned.  Thanks to everyone for their helpful posts and maybe all the Chrysler product owners with this problem should unite and hang a miniature mallot on their rear view mirrors.

Les  

delete  

windride:
This just happened on my Chrystler Seabring last night - figures it just went out of warranty.  I first tried the standard key jiggle, steering wheel turn, rock the transmission, WD40.  And then thanks to this forum, read the mallet approach (used the wooden handle of a screwdriver since I had no mallet) and that worked.  It still gets stuck intermittently but the "mallet" is 3 for 3 at unjamming.  I don't think I want to caary a rubber mallet with me all the time.  Does anyone know how long this mallet whack will work as a temporary fix and what is the probable long term cause (i.e. what do I need to replace so that I don't have to worry about being stranded?

Thanks

I signed up to this forum for the sole purpose of thanking all of you and stating that the "rubber mallet" approach absolutely works; including the screwdriver variation.  I have a dodge grand caravan.  Family was packed in the van ready to go pick corn for the homeless (another story).

The key wouldn't turn so I came straight to the internet and googled my make, model and the problem.  Found this forum.

I gave the key two light taps on its end as if I were hammering it deeper into the ignition.  I used a screwdriver because I couldn't find my rubber mallet at the time.  Quick. Easy. Painless.

Thanks again to all the posters.  

I also wish to thank this forum.  This morning the key would not turn in my 1999 grand carvan.  I had tried jiggling and rocking to no avail.  I tried tapping the key after learning that trick here, and it worked for me too.  Who knows what the future holds, however?  I have been very disappointed with the electonical engineering (or lack thereof) in this vehicle.  A couple of months ago the headlights and dashboard lights began flashing.  I had to have a new switch installed, along with a battery, at a cost of $500 at a dealer.  Now the blower operates intermittently and the transmission is stuttering.  I will never buy another dodge/chrysler product and wouldn't recommend their vehicles to anyone.