key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
10-22-2011, 09:28 AM
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key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
hi everyone,
title pretty much says it all. 2000 LS (chip in key), all stock. only owned it for about a month or two, so i don't really know its history.
starting today, the key will not turn whatsoever once inserted into the ignition. it basically feels as though the steering wheel is locked, but it isn't.
this happened less severely a few times since buying it, but randomly became much worse today. so far, it'll still eventually catch and turn if i jiggle it for a few minutes, but that's nerve-wracking. don't want to get stuck somewhere.
the key sorta sucks and has always felt a bit "loose," even in the doors.
can anyone provide some advice? try having acura cut a new key? ignition itself? if so, where's the best place to get parts, how hard is the labor, etc. crappy autozone one ok enough?
appreciate any help!
title pretty much says it all. 2000 LS (chip in key), all stock. only owned it for about a month or two, so i don't really know its history.
starting today, the key will not turn whatsoever once inserted into the ignition. it basically feels as though the steering wheel is locked, but it isn't.
this happened less severely a few times since buying it, but randomly became much worse today. so far, it'll still eventually catch and turn if i jiggle it for a few minutes, but that's nerve-wracking. don't want to get stuck somewhere.
the key sorta sucks and has always felt a bit "loose," even in the doors.
can anyone provide some advice? try having acura cut a new key? ignition itself? if so, where's the best place to get parts, how hard is the labor, etc. crappy autozone one ok enough?
appreciate any help!
10-22-2011, 12:08 PM
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Re: key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
I am guessing it is the key that is bad, unfortunately you will have to have Acura cut a key and program it to the car, unless you can find a auto locksmith that will do OEM chipped keys.
You can also pull the key cylinders and have any locksmith look at them to determine if it is the key or the cylinder that is the problem before you buy a new key.
Maybe all you need is new cylinders, $20-$25 each, they can even be repaired, worn out tumbler disks can be replaced, $4-$5 each, or tumblers can be replaced to match the key, [rekeying], a good locksmith will use any exisiting tumblers they can and only replace ones that are needed, I have seen them replace as few as one per cylinder to match a key.
The expensive part is your transponder, [chipped] key, although uncut ones can be had for as little as $25, [non OEM key]... http://www.amazingkeys.com/product/2...ransponder-key
Your locksmith may even have some.
The first thing I would do is pull the cylinder and have a locksmith look at it, probably will not even charge you for the "looksee". 94
You can also pull the key cylinders and have any locksmith look at them to determine if it is the key or the cylinder that is the problem before you buy a new key.
Maybe all you need is new cylinders, $20-$25 each, they can even be repaired, worn out tumbler disks can be replaced, $4-$5 each, or tumblers can be replaced to match the key, [rekeying], a good locksmith will use any exisiting tumblers they can and only replace ones that are needed, I have seen them replace as few as one per cylinder to match a key.
The expensive part is your transponder, [chipped] key, although uncut ones can be had for as little as $25, [non OEM key]... http://www.amazingkeys.com/product/2...ransponder-key
Your locksmith may even have some.
The first thing I would do is pull the cylinder and have a locksmith look at it, probably will not even charge you for the "looksee". 94
10-22-2011, 12:50 PM
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Re: key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
actually, get this. i just remembered i had a dupe made once when i locked the key in the car - but it isn't chipped.
i took that one out to the car just to see if it'd turn, and it did! so unless that was just random luck, i think you're right about the key.
so...do you think i could just tape the 2 keys together as a work-around for the next few days? does it work by signal or direct contact? if signal, would just being on the same keychain be close enough?
i took that one out to the car just to see if it'd turn, and it did! so unless that was just random luck, i think you're right about the key.
so...do you think i could just tape the 2 keys together as a work-around for the next few days? does it work by signal or direct contact? if signal, would just being on the same keychain be close enough?
10-24-2011, 11:35 AM
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Re: key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
Ok, so I have the two rubber-banded together. Works now.
However - one time it wouldn't start the car, it'd just crank and crank. Chip was too far away maybe? Is that how the immobilizer works? Disables fuel or something? It's started normally every other time.
Also - this last time I started it, I got a beep/chime as it fired up (perhaps four beeps). Never heard any beeps before, what does it mean? Again, only owned the car for 1-2 months, sorry if it's just a maintenance minder or something.
However - one time it wouldn't start the car, it'd just crank and crank. Chip was too far away maybe? Is that how the immobilizer works? Disables fuel or something? It's started normally every other time.
Also - this last time I started it, I got a beep/chime as it fired up (perhaps four beeps). Never heard any beeps before, what does it mean? Again, only owned the car for 1-2 months, sorry if it's just a maintenance minder or something.
10-24-2011, 03:57 PM
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Re: key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
Yes, most car immobilizers cut fuel, and yes key must be close.
Did you have your seat belt on when you heard the "beeps"? 94
Did you have your seat belt on when you heard the "beeps"? 94
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10-25-2011, 12:23 PM
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10-25-2011, 05:24 PM
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Re: key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
Yes, there is a seat belt "not on" chime and seat belt warning light in cluster will stay on, upper right, above gas gauge, next to door open warning light. 94
11-22-2011, 08:35 AM
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Re: key won't turn in ignition, wheel is not locked
You would laugh harder at me then, sebTeggy.
I removed the ignition and used a screwdriver to start it, after stupidly putting the wrong key in the ignition and screwing up the tumblers. I then taped the non-functional key in the ignition (even though it wouldn't turn) and saved myself the towing fee to the dealer (100 miles from me). Too bad I didn't have a valet key to try. Rubber banding was a smarter work-around.
I still had to pay for a new key from the dealer.
I removed the ignition and used a screwdriver to start it, after stupidly putting the wrong key in the ignition and screwing up the tumblers. I then taped the non-functional key in the ignition (even though it wouldn't turn) and saved myself the towing fee to the dealer (100 miles from me). Too bad I didn't have a valet key to try. Rubber banding was a smarter work-around.
I still had to pay for a new key from the dealer.
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