Automotive Forums

This is a common problem with Chrysler products.    I too am experiencing it with my '99 Grand Cherokee Limited.

Check out the "rubber mallet" solution in the Dodge forum where hundreds of people have responded "it works".  What really troubles me is no one has confirmed what the cause is, and how to resolve it properly without giving Chrysler hundreds of dollars for more faulty parts.

http://forums.automotive.com/community/70/16154/by-manufacturer/dodge/1999-dodge-1500-van-key-wont-turn-in-ignition/index.html  

Uggg, the same thing happened to me. It happened a few times in the past, and would eventually work, but after trying for 30 minutes I gave up this time and had to have it towed as I was illegaly parked. The place that towed it quoted me 340 dollars to fix it. I thought that was high, and after seeing the prices here I realize that it is. I'll certainly have it fixed somewhere else.  

i have a 2001 jeep cherokee sport and am having the same problem. at first i thought maybe the relay for the door locks was going out, and just locking and unlocking with the remote worked the frist or second time. then it got to the point that it owuld take a few minutes to get it to work. people said it was probably the steering wheel lock, but seriously, you think i didnt try that? i tried using the other side of the key, and it worked fine, a few times. but recently (this past sunday and this morning) i spent a good 45 minutes trying to start it. i was late for work and finally gave up and had to ask my roommate for a ride. im bumming rides off friends right now, and am going to a dealership tomorrow. the question i have is if this repair is covered in the chrysler "added care plus" warranty that i am paying an extra $1500 for.  

Chrysler has had a BIG problem with all of their lock cylinders (cherokees, Caravans, Voyages, Neons,etc.)  They are all the same cylinder.  We work on soooo many of these every week.  The tumblers in the lock fail and it won't read the key.  Replace the lock, have it coded to the original key and you should be good for another few years....keep it lubricated with WD40.  
Airbag Specialists ---&--- Steering Column Specialists
http://www.airbagsolutions.com ---&--- http://www.stolenandrecovered.com

Hi, I own a 2000 JGC 6 cyl. When I bought my car the first week the key wouldn't turn. I previously owned a blazer and remembered that if you turn the wheel hard right the wheel will release and key will turn. I tried this with the jeep but no go. I got frustrated and hit the gear shift towards park. Not too hard just a tap. The car started right up. For some odd reason it will do this every so often. This is the same as my Blazer. I'm not sure what sets it off but it works fine after the release is tripped. I've had the car since 2003 and it still does this and the tap still works. So, try this take the palm of your hand hit the back of the gear shift towards park and then try to turn the key.
However, I will back what was said earlier ignitions switches are crap in the JGC. My sis has the exact same truck and hers has went out and mine needs changed this week. If the ignition switch doesn't work try a new key. She needed a new key as well.  

Same thing happened to my 2000 Grand Cherokee today.  I tried the spare key that has been used less than ten times.  Both keys would not turn, I disconnected the battery to try and "reset" something.  No dice.  I think I will try a new tumbler this week since it easily accesible.  I will keep you posted.  Also of course  the Jeep is parked in front of my garage where my extra car is parked.  Now I have two useless cars.  

Same problem today with Jeep Grand Cheroke '99.  WD-40 and several gentle taps with screwdriver finally worked.
Will replace ignition tumbler tomorrow.  

Well, last year I had a locksmith make a housecall... $300 to pull lock and rebuild it. He said it would be as good as new. Feeling like I was getting robbed I handed over the money.

Last week it started sticking again. Last night it froze and wouldn't move.
Frustrated I got on line at NAGCA.com and didn't find a solution. I stumbled onto this thread and saw my post from last year. I read the posts that followed mine and went out, tapped the key with a screwdriver handle.. key turned and I easily removed the lockset.

I stuck it back in, drove to the dealership today and pulled it again and took it in to the parts guy. The lock was in stock.. $135 and $35 to set it to my key. I decided since the last "rebuild" only lasted a year I better get the new one.

I only had one key so I asked for another key to be made. $60 for the key, $40 to program it to my cars computer. $275 and 2 hours in the waiting room and I had a new lock and a new key.

Thanks to this site and specificaly this thread for the help!  

Caleb5505:
The same thing happenned to me yesterday on my '99 Grand Cherokee. The ignition key would not turn. Tapping the end of the key with a hammer while jiggling and turning worked as a temp fix.

The dealer quoted me over $200 - that is CRIMINAL! An Auto Locksmith Service quoted me $125 plus parts - better, but still expensive.

I'm not a mechanic. In fact I disdain working on cars. But to save money, today I took off the steering column cover (one phillips screw underneath the steering column) and figured out how to take out the ignition key tumbler. It's really easy if you can get the key to turn. On the underside of the tumbler there is a square spring loaded "button" that holds the tumbler in. Once the key is turned part way, just press the button and the key will pull out with the tumbler attached. This whole procedure including figuring it out took under 10 minutes.

Since I only had access to one vehicle, I put the tumbler back in and drove to a locksmith. Then I took the tumbler out again in the parking lot. The locksmith (All-Safe Locksmith in Sacramento, CA) rebuilt my ignition tumbler in about 5 minutes. He charged me $8. That's right EIGHT DOLLARS!

I asked the locksmith what causes this problem. He said "bad design."

If anyone else is having the same problem, I'm happy to help if I can. You can email me at Caleb5505@yahoo.com.

I had the same problem this morning and had to have my car towed from a busy street in downtown chicago.  it is now at a mechanic but i dont want to get robbed.  Certainly dont want to spend 200. I know nothing about fixing cars.  What should I do?  

12-17-2007

I have a 2000 Jeep GC.
I took it to a Locksmith in Hammond, IN. He rebuilt the Tumbler for $50.
He said some pins were bad. I believe he replaced them and greased the inside of the cylinder. I notice a difference. The key turns easily now.
I was quoted a price of $85 to replace the Tumbler and reprogram the 2 keys.  But, I was skeptical of the 'reprogramming' of the keys. I wouldn't want to keep going back. I figured the rebuilt should last me the 3 years or less I plan on keeping the jeep.

But, what ever you decide to do, don't take it to a dealer.

If you're searching for tips online, you obviously are a frugal person.  

This just happened to me this weekend. I found this thread and tried removing the tumbler as mentioned by pressing the button on the tumbler. It didnt come out. I have a 2001 JGC and want to remove the tumbler by myself w/o taking it to the shop. Please if anyone can help I'd appreciate it.  

Just happened to me!  My key will turn back, allowing me to listen to the radio, but will not turn forward.  My question for CALEB5505, or anyone else who has taken the tumbler out, is whether this is enough key movement to allow me to get the tumbler out?
Thanks,
Pete  

To answer my own question, NO!  You need to be able to turn the ignition half way forward, then pull.  Don't turn the car on, or turn too far.  I think it would work best if you take off the steering column cover, get under the column with a flashlight and screwdriver and push on the little button on the cylinder while turning the key.  If you’re having trouble turning the key, and of course you are or you wouldn't be reading this, make sure and not turn the key all the way to the off position.  And DO NOT try and push the button on the bottom of the cylinder with your finger, use a screwdriver.  
Tomorrow I’m off to a lock smith to see what they want to rework the cylinder.  
Pete  

Ah yes...

I had this problem with my 2001 Grand Cherokee about a year ago. In the meantime, thanks in part to the good folks of this thread, I've learned:

1) that a Dallas locksmith quotes you $100-130 to rebuild a tumbler
2) how to jiggle and cajole my key into working
3) the "screwdriver tapping" trick
4) the "rubber mallet" trick
5) the "business end of a mag lite" trick
     (when the rubber mallet loses its ummph)
6) how to straighten a slightly bent key in a vise
7) how to open up my steering column and remove my tumbler
8) how to clean, lubricate, and replace my tumbler
     (starts you over somewhere between number 2 and 4)

Apart from the concerned looks I receive from nearby motorists while I'm "tapping" my key into submission, this nice little cycle has been getting me by for the last 12 months.

Until today. The key broke off in the lock, and not a moment too soon, because apparently I'd been getting bored with the predictability inherent to a functioning vehicle.

Because of the security chip, the car and the key must both be programmed at the dealership, according to Will, my "Service Manager." Total cost estimate: $60 for each replacement key, $50 for "programming."  Ok... I can do that.

I learn that if I touch the broken end of the key to the part still in the tumbler while I crank it, it starts beautifully.  Once the thing gets started, I don't need the chip at all, which eliminates that towing charge the dealership suggested.

So, after gleefully tempting fate long enough to grab a Egg McMuffin and pick up my dry-cleaning, I pulled into the dealership, stopped the engine, removed the tumbler, held it in my happy little hand and strolled... into the lion's den.

THE CARNAGE: $494.77. That's right, $500 for a lousy, varmint, frickin' key.

$117.71  Cylinder lock (they said the tumbler had to be replaced)
$110.00  2 Keys ($55 each? Woo-hoo, a volume discount)
$240.12  Labor (2 hours billable labor. Nice. It only took 'em an hour)
$  8.98  Misc. Chg. (huh?)
$ 17.96  TAX

To soften the blow, Will threw in a $20 coupon. "Gee... thanks, Will."

I still love my old Jeep, but I can't talk about window motors, fuel pump gaskets, radiator fans, transmission output sensors, air conditioning, and now... KEYS without getting a little misty-eyed.  

I have had the same problem and came to this website and found out the "rubber mallet" method. It works. When key is not turning, put key in ignition and tap with a rubber mallet 2 or 3 times and turn key while doing. I used a plastic bottle for the tapping method and that worked also. Sounds strange but apparently this is a common issue. Someone on here said the mallet is what the tow truck companies do and that Chrysler denies any problems.