Can't turn key in ignition; Anti Theft immobilizer?
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 948
Likes: 36
From: New Hampshire
...I recently had my car w/o battery for over 2 weeks while doing some repairs, when all was put back together car didn't turn on, it cranked, but didn't turn on, and emergency lights were blinking. Another user told me to do the following -thought he was kidding, but worked, at one point my key didn't want to turn either- so as Yoda would say "...do or do not, there is no try..."
"Hmm. Yeah. Unlock doors with key. Put key in ignition. Turn to position two. Leave key. Roll down driver window. Leave driver door open. Unhook battery. Touch battery wires together. Let them sit 5 minutes touching each other. Hook back up to battery. Drive away happy (hopefully)."
...also press the button on the "inertia switch" just in case it thinks you had an accident.
...if yours turns on, then thank good ol' "Charlie_V" ;-]#
"Hmm. Yeah. Unlock doors with key. Put key in ignition. Turn to position two. Leave key. Roll down driver window. Leave driver door open. Unhook battery. Touch battery wires together. Let them sit 5 minutes touching each other. Hook back up to battery. Drive away happy (hopefully)."
...also press the button on the "inertia switch" just in case it thinks you had an accident.
...if yours turns on, then thank good ol' "Charlie_V" ;-]#
That's one hell of a sequence! LOL
I believe it though. Charlie V. Seems like a really good guy. I don't think he would steer you wrong.
Winching
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 679
Likes: 21
From: South Florida
...it was a helluva sequence indeed! thought he was pulling my leg, but he had been given me lots of help through the fix that brought me to that point, so went with it since had nothing to lose, and worked like a charm. It was a relief to hear my truck come to life after a couple weeks in my garage. ;-]#
This shouldn't have anything to do with batteries or your theft immobilizer. Even if the car has been super locked or immobilized you can still physically put a key in the ignition and turn it...just nothing happens.
I had an issue a while back with a key that would not turn. It ended up being an issue with the key itself. It needed a hair more grinding on the end just before the plastic. I filed it down a hair and it went in and turned. Probably not your issue as you said the key worked in the past.
I had an issue a while back with a key that would not turn. It ended up being an issue with the key itself. It needed a hair more grinding on the end just before the plastic. I filed it down a hair and it went in and turned. Probably not your issue as you said the key worked in the past.
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Montana
So I have tried everything above to no avail 
Any other suggestions? (Thank all of you very much for your input so far)
CANNOT turn key from position 0 to any other position and I am beyond frustrated! Not sure if car is immobilized, new keys (although I used the same key to start the car no more than 2 weeks ago), etc.
Thanks!
Any other suggestions? (Thank all of you very much for your input so far)
CANNOT turn key from position 0 to any other position and I am beyond frustrated! Not sure if car is immobilized, new keys (although I used the same key to start the car no more than 2 weeks ago), etc.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Montana
Just fixed it! had to jiggle keys for 45 min but once i got it started I centered the steering and havent had any problems starting since! Thank all of you for you help!
P.S. Only one of my keys starts the car and the other one unlocks; is this normal?
P.S. Only one of my keys starts the car and the other one unlocks; is this normal?
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 962
Likes: 90
From: Southern OR
Mine is finicky with keys too. Some work both the door and ignition, others don't. Locksmith said that's what happens when they are getting worn out. Hard to make keys for them too, takes some skill with a file.