ignition switch

[greenquark]

Once in a while I can not start up my car because the key won't turn. It is not the locked wheel problem.

I was inspecting the key and I could see a groove that is not supposed to be there. Check picture.



I could speculate that one of the pins in the cylinder is not retracting and it creates this mark. I was thinking of lubricating the key hole. What is the best lubricant for this? I have read a few posts on the internet but they look like contradicting each other

[wildBill83]

Powdered graphite.

[sonikaccord]

What he said. If you got a cool locksmith around they can probably lube it for you for free. That's what happened when I got my new key made.

[greenquark]

Powdered graphite should be renamed miracle powder ....it works wonder. I also started using a bike lock I thought it was kaput!


thanks a lot!

[Fleetw00d]

You might also go to your local Honda dealer, take your title or registration with you, and with the VIN, they can cut a new key. I have done this for a couple of my Accords when having trouble with the key.

[johnl]

It might be possible to disassemble the barrel and fix whatever is causing the problem. I don't know how easy the Honda barrel is to take apart, but I've recently done this successfully with a Saab 9-5 ignition lock barrel.

With the barrel off the steering column, if you can get the barrel apart (my guess is that there will be a spring loaded plunger you'll have to depress), you'll have two main components, the main body of the barrel (A) that is more or less tubular, and the rest (B) that inserts into the barrel body. If you look at B you'll see a number of projecting parts (C) along it's sides. If you insert the key into B then the projecting C parts should become non-projecting. If one or more of these remains projecting then it will jam against the bore in part A, and prevent the key from turning the lock.

It might be possible to fix whatever is causing the projecting part to not retract (when the key is inserted), or to file the projection down so that it doesn't cause a problem, or it may be possible to remove just that single C component.

A word of warning, the C components may be loose enough that if you don't take care they may fall out (removing part B from part A with the key inserted into B might prevent this). Take care not to get the C parts mixed up or you may never get them back into B in the correct order, and the lock won't work. It would be possible to remove all these projecting C parts and the key will still turn the lock, but then any key you can fit into the lock will too...