My key won’t turn in the ignition of my 96 Pontiac Sunfire. It’s almost like it is the wrong key. It happend yesterday when the whether got colder, but I don’t know if that had anything to do with it. I have tried to jiggle with the wheel and turn the key to no avail. My wheels aren’t turned and they aren’t against a curb so I don’t think that is the problem. I really don’t want to pay to have it towed unless I absolutely have to. Any suggestions?
I had the same problem awhile back. (Another contemporaneous symptom was the ability to remove the key from the ignition with no effect while the car was in gear and moving). Eventually I could not turn the key. Had to have it towed.
It was a simple matter for the local mechanic – replace the ignition lock: key and tumbler. They had the appropriate part in stock. Cost about $120.
No guarantee that you have the same problem, of course, but it’s worth looking into.
Same happened the my Mother in Law. She had had to have the ignition replaced. Luckily the car was still warrantied…
WAG, you might try wiggling the transmission lever as well. If you have a clutch, make sure it’s fully depressed. Can you rock the car back and forth just a bit?
I’ve had cars that had some sort of transmission lock on the ignition, and I’d have to put them in neutral and let them roll an inch or two before the ignition would turn.
Apparently you’ve done the logical first thing–make certain that there’s no stress on the steering wheel lock. It’s generally just a matter of turning the steering wheel enough to definitely relieve such stress. Sometimes, particularly when the tires are against a curb as you mentioned, it takes a lot of oomph to turn the steering wheel enough.
The next logical thing to try is another copy of the key (if you have one) that hasn’t been used as much. Sometimes a key will wear enough to stop working properly. Making a copy now, or the already worn key, is not likely to any good. Sometimes jiggling the key itself will help.
If that doesn’t do it, I think you’ll need to have the car towed to a shop. It’s most likely a problem with the ignition lock mechanism, as drpepper mentioned.
Whoops! That was supposed to be “Making a copy now, of the already worn key…”
You can also try to rock it by pushing it back and forth from the outside. If it is steering wheel stress, that may be enough to undo it. I used that trick successfully when my wife’s VW Jetta had a similar problem.
Here is something you might try. I had this happen to me a few years back, and wound up calling a locksmith to take a look at it. The first thing he did was shoot some WD-40 in the keyhole, then jiggled the key in and out a few times. Then he turned the key and it started right up! And the guy was nice enough to not charge me for the service call either, which made me feel lots better.
You might also check to make sure that the transmission is firmly in park. Sometimes in an older car it’ll stick just a bit, so the gearshift looks like it’s in park, and the car’s not going to roll away or anything, but it won’t let you turn the key. Try jiggling your gearshift a bit and see if that helps.
Rather than get it towed you may be able to find a mechanic who will replace the lock cylinder on the spot. It only requires a few (albeit very specialized) tools and is very quick & easy (if the mechanic has done them before). You could try calling a new car dealership’s mechanics.
You may find some useful information in this thread:
Help! I cannot turn the key in my previa. 
Are you sure you’re in your car?
d&r
You do realize (depending on location) you can call a locksmith out to take care of the repair for the same amount if not less than what it would cost to tow it to the shop?
Other pluses on calling a locksmith, they can get to the repairs right away. If they are worth their salt, they can rekey a new ignition switch to your existitng key. Most locksmiths can get to it the same day.** It is important to call a few different shops and price shop to have the work done. **
The main thing that fails in GM ignitions is the spring cap. Brigs and Stratton (the makers of the ign lock) do not stake down the spring steel clip which over time will work loose from the potmetal lock housing. This is the most common Automotive lock failure out there. (second only to the “ears” on a Ford ign lock breaking free and spinning seperate from the lock cylinder)
I am not the one who does the majority of automotive locksmithing in my shop, but I do some from time to time. In my best estimate (not talking to you and only seeing what you have typed) it sounds like the spring cap has gone Kaput.
Is your key worn? is it the only one you have?
If yes to both. GM roadside can relase key codes to a locksmith if you call them. Your local locksmith should have the number. You would have to call them (Pontiac roadside) give them your VIN# and the phone number of the local locksmith you plan on using. They will release the codes and the local locksmith should be able to cut a key by code for you. Plan to have ID since the locksmith is supposed to check before releasing a code cut key.
My suggestion is call a locksmith.
Osip,
How much “roughly” do you think it will run me? I live in the city so it won’t take a locksmith very long to get to me, and there are a ton of locksmiths. Also, how will I know they are reputable?
It’s not your car, it’s your neighbor’s remarkably-similar-looking car.
how much it costs? well it is a pretty much unregulated buisness price wise… here in huntsville It could cost you from 65 to 110 dollars. This is a rough estimate since I do not know off the top of my head if it is a VATS Ignition or other form of higer security key than your older GMS.
Your location will vary. Look for a middle priced locksmith they tend to be your average hard working Joes with reasonable skill. To cheap, and the person more times than not is not to skilled and relies on volume of work to make ends meet*. High bids are locksmiths who price automotive thru the roof because they would rather do other locksmith jobs than automotive.
Also look to see how long they have been in buisness. The longer established shops stick around because they usually have a good reputation for good work. Also, see if their ad mentions membership in ALOA which is a national locksmith organization.
I am not sure what you do for a living, but you can also ask co-workers what locksmiths they use for themselves or to change the companies locks.
If your friends with a mechanic or someone who works in the autobody industry you can ask them to recomend someone.
*Please note, that if the locksmith is a moblie unit or if they have a physical walk in shop also makes a price difference due to the amount of extra overhead. So, not all low priced locksmiths are underskilled.
Hope that helps.
What Osip said. My friend once lost his car keys (thought they were lost in a hotel in another state and couldn’t retrieve them at all) and we called a locksmith that was able to rekey the car (with the lock codes from GM). Was a Grand Prix, if I recall correctly. If you or a friend belongs to AAA, call a locksmith that works with them and they’ll cut you a deal - I was able to use my AAA card for Matt’s car even though I don’t own the car and don’t ever drive it. As long as someone’s a member, it’ll save you some cash. Cost Matt $80 for a new key in Minneapolis (with the discount) and us a few hours at the airport waiting for GM to call back with the code.
good luck!
Snicks
I am with DoctorJ. its happened to me a few times (1990 Taurus) and I took it out and back into park and then it was fine.
Also, your car has a double-cut key, which almost every car does these days----it means that you can put the key in either way and it will work. You could pull the key out, rotate it 180*, and re-insert-----this means the key cylinder will be “seeing” the cuts that are on the other side of the key. This may or may not be of help, but it can’t hurt to try.
Also, if you (or a friend) have AAA Plus, it pays for I think $100 worth of locksmith service.
Most GM dealers can also cut you a new key using the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), but you’ll need to bring some proof of ownership to get the key.