Key will not insert into driver door lock
 

At 13,000 miles, I began to have difficulty inserting my key into the keyhole on my Honda Civic LX driver door lock. By 22,000 miles, the key wouldn't insert at all. I took it to the dealership and they supposedly repaired it. After 2 weeks, it began to fail again. I could insert it sometimes, and sometimes not. I did a lot of unlocking the passenger side and crawling into the driver seat. Since I had moved to Guam, two days after the first repair, I was unable to get anything done about it (no dealership in Guam at the time). Now I'm back in the states and, at 34,000 miles, the key will not insert at all in the lock. There was supposed to be a 12.000 mile warranty on the work done, and it has been just about 12,000 miles, but they won't honor it because I was gone (Guam) for more than 12 months. They want $156 to fix it. I can only assume that it will not actually be repaired, just as it wasn't actually repaired previously. Any ideas on what could be preventing the key from entering the lock and is there some simple fix. Graphite doesn't work. Not even the very tip will enter the keyhole. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, mmcknox1

Re: Key will not insert into driver door lock (mmcknox1)
 

If the dealer's fix involved just lubricating the lock cylinder, that would explain the continued difficulty. You state ""Not even the very tip will enter the keyhole."" The problem is obviously with the little metal flap that is supposed to keep dirt and most of the water out of the key cylinder. I don't know if it's integral to the construction of the cylinder or if it's just a trim ring. Either way, seems like replacement is is the only fix. If you have time to kill and are somewhat handy, you could order the part on line and replace it yourself. If not, $156 might be a bargain.

Re: Key will not insert into driver door lock (mmcknox1)
 

I have a 2001 EX 2door and I have a problem with the driver side door lock...I can insert the key but CAN'T turn in lock/unlock. http://is.rely.net/1-92-65076-l-NREc...mLFY3DaZnA.gif

My Driver door Lock died, I had to replace the Lock cylinder, which was like $200 now the passenger side is dying, but im just gonna deal with it.

Re: Key will not insert into driver door lock (mmcknox1)
 

the key cylinder need to be re-keyed, they pull the cylinder out from the inside and pull out the old pieces and put new ones in, i have done it before at work it is not hard but i would take it to a shop to do it, and it is not cheap sorry to say

This may or may not work..
 

Try using a small, standard head screwdriver. Put the tip against the key slot and lightly tap it to see if you can break it loose. If so, lube it with something mild like WD-40. Put the little hose in the key slot and give it a quick blast.

I always use my keyless entry, so I haven't experienced this problem first hand.

Something similar happened to me with my 04. Honda had to replace the whole cylinder.

Re: (polo609)
 

Same with my 03. There is a TSB out for it.