Leather tool saved the day!

Tom/Idaho

Member

2001 Dodge Dakota key in ignition problem solved (for now).

Hooked up the trailer, loaded the two ATV's and was going to back the truck up closer to the shop to add air to the air shocks. After inserting the key into the ignition, it would not turn. Tried and tried, but it would not turn. Rocked the wheel back and forth, still no turn. Wheel lock was not the problem. Vicki checked on the internet and none of the suggestions (not very many) would solve the problem. She finally found a uTube video of a guy that had the same problem with a Jeep. Video said the problem MAY be that the key is not going far enough into the ignition. Dirty ignition? Tried WD40, no help. So, take a soft hammer and tap the key, hopefully farther into the ignition and not break it. He tapped it a couple times and no go. He finally smacked it a good one and IT WORKED! STARTED!
As I've got nothing to lose at this point, I got a soft hammer, hit it a couple times and finally put some force in it and it also worked. Fired right up. Worked like it used to. Was able to start, stop and then remove key and restart it all day without a problem.
Worked all day yesterday but ordered a new switch today.
Tom/Idaho
 

Nice to hear it worked :D
Years ago a similar problem with an old Mercedes Benz I had took three weeks of on and off struggling to sort out , You tube truly is the world's technical college .

I'm reminded of the story about a plumber who attended a boiler that wouldn't work . He walked up to it , smacked it hard with mallet in one particular spot to dislodge an air lock or other such obstruction then handed the owner a bill .
The owner was indignant , $80 for hitting it with a hammer ! I want an itemised account ! The plumber handed one over ; $ 1. For hitting the boiler with a 4 pound hammer , $79 . For knowing where and how hard to hit it , Total $80.
 
Reminds me of a time back when I had to have been in my early teens...

My dad took in a job on an old Ford station wagon. This was a truly trashed
and filthy car, inside and out! It belonged to one of his old school mates,
the man had learning disabilities, got by doing odd jobs, drove whatever he
could keep running.

The car had an electrical short, it would blow the taillight fuse, but only
when being driven. It would sit in the shop all day with the lights on and
never blow the fuse.

I had crawled all through this junk car looking for the problem, been on it
all day, no progress.

At the end of the day, much frustrated, venting frustration, I stepped back
and kicked the center of the tailgate! Off went the lights!

Found the short inside the tailgate, the wire going to the license plate
light!
 
As I recall, I saw a radio tech, pull a radio out of a plane an take it down to the runway and set it down rather abruptly, and then put it back in the plane and it worked.
 
I had a similar problem with a '99 Dodge Grand Caravan.

The first time it happened, I replaced the key cylinder and went on my merry way. When it happened a second time, I removed the lock cylinder and spent some time fiddling with the pins. Two of them we getting stuck. Took them out, did a little careful filing on the pot metal key cylinder to get them to move freely. Lubricated them with graphite and this fix worked until I scapped the van. I put over 250K miles on that van.

I would suggest keeping the old cylinder and trying to fix it as a future spare.

Hope that works for you.

Cliff(VA) now (NC)
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top