1997 Toyota 4Runner Key Won't Turn

Tiny
BENKNIGHTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 127,000 MILES
This morning the key locks on the doors were frozen and my wife slightly bent her key when trying to turn the lock. She had a little trouble getting the ignition switch to turn but was able to wiggle it on. Later that day I drove it around town with my own key with no problem. Finally, tonight she stuck the key in and it stuck half-way between on and off and now it will only move half-way to accessory power. My key will not do anything and I even tried to shimmy the steering wheel a little to get it to un-stick. Any ideas for a quick-fix, or will it be a new ignition switch. Or more. Anything would help.
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 AT 11:31 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
FISHERMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 937 POSTS
Hello !

Use some Graphite powder get a tube of it and pour it inside the lock then try to turn the key little by little one way to the other until the cylinder gets free.

That graphite powder its fantastic on locks!

Good Luck and let us know if works for you!
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Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 AT 11:53 PM
Tiny
BENKNIGHTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I tried some graphite and nothing seems to have changed. What would be the procedure to take the ignition switch out and go from there?
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
FISHERMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 937 POSTS
If your 4runner its airbag equipped I do not recommend you to do it yourself because if by accident you apply power to any component the air bag may deploy, you have to deactivate the air bag system before, if you want a risk it, try to get the mitchell for your car because there`s a lot of steps involved.

Godd Luck!
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 AT 7:34 PM

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