96 Infiniti G20 - Possible frozen ignition lock cy

[Hadrien]

I will try to make this short and sweet. Hopefully someone has some advice so I can at least get my car started and get it home to work on

Went out shopping tonight for the wife's birthday present. Got back to the car empty handed, put the key in the ignition and it will not turn. No matter what, it is like it is frozen.

I tried tapping the key in, turning the wheel as much as I could to make sure it was not locked, nothing.

Luckily a friend strolled by and saw I was in distress, drove me home to get spare keys (thinking mine were worn out), and still nothing. Cannot turn the key.

I tried a little graphite and some CRC silicone about an hour apart from each other to no avail. I was wondering if any of the minds in the braintrust here knew of possibly another oil or fluid I could try to shoot into the lock before I call the tow truck to get my vechile home. Thanks in advance gentlemen.

 

[chrome]

This might sound silly, but did you "jiggle" the steering slightly as you try and turn the key? Sometimes, the steering column lock causes the key to appear difficult to turn.

 

[Cutehumor]

yeah, sometimes, the steering wheel is locked if it is turned when the key is out of the ignition. it doesn't take much, even a bump with your knee when you are getting out of the car. one time, I couldn't get the key to turn out of my 96 Sunfire. but I turned the steering wheel at the same time as the key, the steering wheel became unlocked, and the key was able to be turned in the ignition. It can be difficult at times.

 

[Hadrien]

I have tried turning the wheel left and or right when trying to turn the key in the igition. Same thing happens, I can get it to turn to the first notch and then no further.

I was able to even get the wheel to lock and then unlock it by turning the key to "1". I don't think it is the wheel lock, I wish it was. I am going to give it a go this morning after some sleep. Hopefully Wal-Mart will not have me towed by now.

 

[qship1996]

Have it towed straight to the nearest Infiniti dealer for proper diagnosis and repair

 

[Hadrien]

I would do that if they were not 108 miles away.

Had it towed home and a locksmith from the area confirmed that the cylinder was bad. No amount of anything that I sprayed in there would have helped.

He said he could re-key the new lock cylinder but since it's a beater I think I am just gonna rock the keys GM style. One for the doors and one for the ignition. Thanks again for the advice guys.