Car Key Panel Issue

[riddle]

my car had a battery issue(low voltage),and afterwards it gave me trouble with my key panel!

what happens is that i can insert the key to the panel,but i cant move it upwards to the ACC,ON,and power.it seems asif its somewhat stuck!This is not a steering lock issue too!

if you go on slowly moving it towards acc and lock after awhile(say 5-15mins) of turning the key upwards and backwards it luckily goes to the acc,on and power menu and starts without any issue.

i checked this with the twin key too..same issue,

this problem never happens as long as the key is inside the panel in lock mode.yesterday i left the car twin car key inside the key panel and locked it with the car alarm remote,it worked fine all day.and today i removed the key and inserted it the same minute and i the problem started again!im affraid its not a wise idea to leave a key inside panel and go somewhere else though its locked or not.

please help me go through this issue,are there any key panel specialist around Colombo area?

you help and support is much appreciated.

thanks alot!

[anjulau78]

I think this was happened due to wearout of the keybarrel. check it with any good key cutting shop. If you are close to battarmulla I will give you a location to check it.

[AMG]

First of all give it a try with some WD40. Spray some in to the key hole and the outer ring of the key panel. Might do the trick.

[The Stig]

Yep sounds like a key barrel issue, try what AMG said first(lubricate it)

If i was you i would go to the agents for this sort of problem cause third party places cant be trusted these day when it comes to matters like this.

[riddle]

thanks alot guys!

where can this wd40 be bought,can you please be more specific one what wd40 is?

thanks

[fayas]

definitely key barrel problem there is a safety mechanism between LOCK and ACC, so that if you can not move the key to ACC the staring wheel is locked(problem with searing column locking pin).

So even you are able to start the vehicle by removing covers and exposing ignition switch you can not run

If you can turn to ACC + expose the area by removing the necessary covers, then you can remove the switch barrel by simply pressing the safety lock (small button found at a side of key barrel column) just press it and pull the key barrel with the key inside at ACC. Now you can take the key barrel to a key cutter and see!

If you cannot Turn the key from LOCK seak a mechanics help.

hope it is clear

please Youtube key barrel ignition switch and see some videos

I was stranded in the road once with the same problem repaired the key Barrel, now no problem.

[AMG]

thanks alot guys!

where can this wd40 be bought,can you please be more specific one what wd40 is?

thanks

WD40 is a general purpose lubricant liquid.(like our singer oil.. ..)

I use this for some cleanings as well. I guess you can buy this at any hardware stores these days, also car parts shops.

Check the image of the WD40 here..

[riddle]

I did lubricate it,but it dint help..hoping to show it to a mechanic!

anyways Thanks alot guys!you have been really helpful!

take care..god bless you guys!

[varunatech]

Looks Key Barrel issue, had the same problem once. A hawker key cutter in Union place fixed the issue for me. I was in a hurry and had to start the car. But it did work and works fine now since, 2+ years.

[riddle]

oh..my car is at home..called a mechanic today and he came and tried removing the dashboard in order to remove the key barrel but he failed!is there anyone who visits places?

if not is there any other way to start the car?so that i can take it anywhere else?

Thanks

[varunatech]

oh..my car is at home..called a mechanic today and he came and tried removing the dashboard in order to remove the key barrel but he failed!is there anyone who visits places?

if not is there any other way to start the car?so that i can take it anywhere else?

Thanks

Sorry to hear what happened. Usually no need to remove Dash to get the Key Barrel out. The plastics surrounding the Steering will do. Then few more screws and a push button typr of thing and you can easily take the key barrel to you hand. You need to remove one or two electrical sockets as well. If you pay attention carefully, there is two specific pins in the electrical socket which will start your engine also. However, you can take the key barrel with the keys to one of these Hawker key cutters in Union place or Darley and get this fixed.

Else they might even come to your place. I do not know of a reputed place which might help you. As I always do, I did contact the agents when I did face my issue. They said they will send the Flat Bed Truck for recovery and then change the Key Barrel entirely for some big bucks.

Union place guy got me out of trouble for Rs 1200.It was bit high price for the time spent, but worth it as I was in a fix.

[varunatech]

Sorry to hear what happened. Usually no need to remove Dash to get the Key Barrel out. The plastics surrounding the Steering will do. Then few more screws and a push button typr of thing and you can easily take the key barrel to you hand. You need to remove one or two electrical sockets as well. If you pay attention carefully, there is two specific pins in the electrical socket which will start your engine also. However, you can take the key barrel with the keys to one of these Hawker key cutters in Union place or Darley and get this fixed.

Else they might even come to your place. I do not know of a reputed place which might help you. As I always do, I did contact the agents when I did face my issue. They said they will send the Flat Bed Truck for recovery and then change the Key Barrel entirely for some big bucks.

Union place guy got me out of trouble for Rs 1200.It was bit high price for the time spent, but worth it as I was in a fix.

There is another way, which I heard. Mind you heard only.....................

Insert a Blank Key (the type pf Raw Key the key cutters you to create a duplicate one. A piece of Metal of a Key shape without and markings on it). Put some lubricant and insert and exert few times, while rotating the Steering (if it is locked). The idea is that if the Key barrel is stuck due to a stuck cylinder inside, it will pop into place again.

Use lot of care, because THIS IS SOMETHING I HEARD.

[riddle]

Unfortunately i have a single screw on the plastics surrounding the Steering and 2 more screws inside beetween the steering wheel and the plastic cover!

so in-order to remove the plastics surroundings i have to remove the steering wheel and then unscrew the 2 nuts of the plastics,

and im not sure that any hawker would know how to remove the steering wheel with an airbag!

what if i remove the steering whel with the help of a mechanic and then go to a key fellow with the barrel alone?would that do any good?

[The Stig]

Unfortunately i have a single screw on the plastics surrounding the Steering and 2 more screws inside beetween the steering wheel and the plastic cover!

so in-order to remove the plastics surroundings i have to remove the steering wheel and then unscrew the 2 nuts of the plastics,

and im not sure that any hawker would know how to remove the steering wheel with an airbag!

what if i remove the steering whel with the help of a mechanic and then go to a key fellow with the barrel alone?would that do any good?

Actually removing the airbag isnt hard at all, it just has connectors that you need to remove gently and the airbag part comes off with the steering wheel faceplate. Removing the steering can be done just by you but the other stuff can get a bit messy but im sure most of these experienced vehicle key cutter fellows know their way around a car.

Check this video out

Edited September 18, 2011 by The Stig

[riddle]

Thanks stig!im gonna get down a guy to my place ,hope my car gets well by tomorrow!

thanks alot!

[Rookantha]

On 9/16/2011 at 4:19 PM, anjulau78 said:

I think this was happened due to wearout of the keybarrel. check it with any good key cutting shop. If you are close to battarmulla I will give you a location to check it.

I too have a similar problem. Anywhere close to Battaramulla to get the keybarrel repaired ? Thank you