Well I went to leave tonight...put the key in the ignition and I can't get it to budge... never had any problems like this the key opens the door fine with no problems I oiled up the key and sprayed some p b blaster...hoping its just stuck tumblers or something I'm pissed... my next move is a dent puller....any Ideas
I tried every thing i could think? do ignition switches just go bad like that??


what's the easiest way to replace?? considering it,s in lock position??
or could there be another issue? I jerk the hell out of the steering wheel etc

any ideas or info would be a great help 1998 4x4 4.0 210,000 miles

 

The wheel got locked, you just have to break it free. Foot on the break and just wiggle the wheel while turning the key until it breaks free.

 

nope believe me I tried that.. i put a lug wrench on the wheel for leverage ...still nothing...??

 

turn the steering wheel in different directions quickly (might require a little force), while turning key. I think that it needs to be multiple quick times rather than just a lot of force. That has happened to me before and it has always worked.

 

he's right, sometimes when i turn the steering wheel ALL the way and it locks it's kinda hard to brake it free, you have to turn it real hard to the other direction for it to brake free, i hope that's the case
HTH!

 

my tires are in straight position...and the steering wheel is straight also
doesn't seem to be any tension on the steering wheel...but I've tried everything mentioned here. still nothing......what would be the easiest way to pop the ignition short of a wheel puller ??? or does any one have instructions or a link on how to do so properly??

 

call a lock smith they will fix it and wont cause damage to your vehicle like you will with a dent puller.

 

ok just a little update I pulled the bottom of the column off to access the cylinder pin

and bingo i gave the pin a little tap then my key started working for now that is...
new one is only $30.oo so i,m going to replace it while i,m in there....
Thank you for all the advice....

 

glad it's fixed :D

 

good deal man