Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
The keys are brass (at least, the worn spots on the edges are exposing a copper color). Thanks for all the advice; I'll probably just order a replacement cylinder. On Tue, 3 Jan 2006, Kevin wrote: > On Sun, Jan 01, 2006 at 06:32:58PM -0500, Ed Booher wrote: > > I'm guessing that the metal used in Dodge / Chrysler keys late 90's to > > today may not be a full steel blend. I know that the old Geo, > > specifically the Metro, keys had a lot of Aluminum in them. When it > > got real cold it was very easy to break a key off in a lock because > > they became extremely brittle. > > Roughly half of the ford keys in my bowl feel like they're aluminum, and > they are factory keys. > > K > > >
Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
On Sun, Jan 01, 2006 at 06:32:58PM -0500, Ed Booher wrote: > I'm guessing that the metal used in Dodge / Chrysler keys late 90's to > today may not be a full steel blend. I know that the old Geo, > specifically the Metro, keys had a lot of Aluminum in them. When it > got real cold it was very easy to break a key off in a lock because > they became extremely brittle. Roughly half of the ford keys in my bowl feel like they're aluminum, and they are factory keys. K
Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
OK. Here goes my spiel on WD-40. IT IS NOT A SATISFACTORY LUBRICANT (even though the can describes it as such)!!! It is a WATER DISPERSANT (WD). It will work temporarily as a lubricant; so will plain tap water. WD-40 is great for what it was designed, drying ignition systems. It is useless for anything else. Get the proper lubricant for the task you are performing. There are lots of good ones. Usually, a graphite lubricant is recommended for locks. If your locksmith recommended WD-40, find another locksmith. If your ignition switch is acting up, replace it NOW. It will save you a lot of grief. Once the key will not turn, you CANNOT remove the cylinder. You will have to hack the steering column up to get it out. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Allan Streib Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 3:49 PM To: Mercedes mailing list Subject: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder Have not found a lot of online info about this, so thought I'd ask here in case anyone has run into this. We have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recently the ignition key has started refusing to turn, on an intermittent basis. Consulted a local locksmith and he suggested that it was dirty and to "blast it out with WD40". I don't like the idea of using oil in a lock but he insisted it would be fine. Sure enough it seemed to resolve the problem -- for a couple of weeks. A few days ago my wife tried to start the car and the key refused to turn. I played with it, no luck. More WD40, no luck. Finally after removing and reinserting the key repeatedly it turned. I said "enough of this" and removed the plastic shroud around the steering column, found the tab to release the cylinder, and removed it. I sprayed it out with brake cleaner to remove the WD40, and now it seems to be working. But I'm hesitant to reinstall it. Seems odd that it would be worn out already, only 3 years old. Anyone had any similar experience? Just wondering if this is a common problem for Dodge vehicles. Allan -- 1966 230 1983 300D ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
Lots of other things are breaking on our '97 Plymouth Grand Voyager, but not the ignition switch (knocking on wood). It's amazing how much better the 10 - 15 years older Benz's hold up than the Chrysler. That having been said, I am surprised that a lock smith would tell you to spray parafin (WD--40) into a lock. Use brake cleaner or contact cleaner (like you did last), and lubricate with graphite. I'd re-install it and use it while checking out the price of a new cylinder from the stealership. -- OK Don, KD5NRO Norman, OK '90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC The FSM created the Diesel Benz http://www.venganza.org/
Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
Allan,Ed - Not sure how Chrysler does their locks, but with GM stuff the dealer can cut a new key using a code that the dealer can reference. It would be cut just as new. Barry -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ed Booher Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 3:33 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder On 1/1/06, Allan Streib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > We have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recently the ignition key has > started refusing to turn, on an intermittent basis. Consulted a local > locksmith and he suggested that it was dirty and to "blast it out with > WD40". I don't like the idea of using oil in a lock but he insisted it > would be fine. Sure enough it seemed to resolve the problem -- for a > couple of weeks. My father owns a 99 Dodge Ram Van. When he bought the vehicle used it had a single key. He took it to a lock smith and had a key cut. It opened the drivers door and worked no other lock. Had a second key cut and it opened the passenger door and worked the ignition, but not the drivers door, rear door or dual split (where slider would be) door. Had a third key cut, this key worked driver's door, rear door, and ignition. At this point the locksmith kind of said "I give." and wouldn't cut any more keys. Gave my dad back his money and let him keep all three. I got the van for a few months after an accident left me without vehicle. Was completely awed that the keys worked like that. The original worked everything, but not a single cut key did. Took the vehicle to the dealership and had them cut a key. It didn't work any of the locks, but after work I could get it to turn the ignition. Took it back to service desk, recut, worked some locks, but not all. Service tech was like me, very interested in the problem, and we brought all the keys out, he pulled out what looked like a spanner, whatever it was he was measuring the keys that worked in certain locks. He finally said "Ah ... yeah, the master key has been worn in an odd way. I'm not sure why it still works all the locks, but the pins won't line up properly on most of the rest of these keys." He cut me two more keys, with the master positioned slightly further out then I've usually seen which made the next two keys a little larger. When you hold the keys together, you can see the new key following the outline behind the master key. Both keys worked everything just fine. I'm guessing that the metal used in Dodge / Chrysler keys late 90's to today may not be a full steel blend. I know that the old Geo, specifically the Metro, keys had a lot of Aluminum in them. When it got real cold it was very easy to break a key off in a lock because they became extremely brittle. If you can explain it to the service tech this way, and have them recut you master that is *slightly* larger than what you have right now, it *might* solve this issue. No promises, but I'm with the other guys on heavy keyrings. The key may be worn like the key to my dad's van, in an odd way that lets it work sometimes and not others. *shrugs* YMMV -- Knowledge is power... Power Corrupts. Study hard... Be Evil. ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
On 1/1/06, Allan Streib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > We have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recently the ignition key has > started refusing to turn, on an intermittent basis. Consulted a local > locksmith and he suggested that it was dirty and to "blast it out with > WD40". I don't like the idea of using oil in a lock but he insisted it > would be fine. Sure enough it seemed to resolve the problem -- for a > couple of weeks. My father owns a 99 Dodge Ram Van. When he bought the vehicle used it had a single key. He took it to a lock smith and had a key cut. It opened the drivers door and worked no other lock. Had a second key cut and it opened the passenger door and worked the ignition, but not the drivers door, rear door or dual split (where slider would be) door. Had a third key cut, this key worked driver's door, rear door, and ignition. At this point the locksmith kind of said "I give." and wouldn't cut any more keys. Gave my dad back his money and let him keep all three. I got the van for a few months after an accident left me without vehicle. Was completely awed that the keys worked like that. The original worked everything, but not a single cut key did. Took the vehicle to the dealership and had them cut a key. It didn't work any of the locks, but after work I could get it to turn the ignition. Took it back to service desk, recut, worked some locks, but not all. Service tech was like me, very interested in the problem, and we brought all the keys out, he pulled out what looked like a spanner, whatever it was he was measuring the keys that worked in certain locks. He finally said "Ah ... yeah, the master key has been worn in an odd way. I'm not sure why it still works all the locks, but the pins won't line up properly on most of the rest of these keys." He cut me two more keys, with the master positioned slightly further out then I've usually seen which made the next two keys a little larger. When you hold the keys together, you can see the new key following the outline behind the master key. Both keys worked everything just fine. I'm guessing that the metal used in Dodge / Chrysler keys late 90's to today may not be a full steel blend. I know that the old Geo, specifically the Metro, keys had a lot of Aluminum in them. When it got real cold it was very easy to break a key off in a lock because they became extremely brittle. If you can explain it to the service tech this way, and have them recut you master that is *slightly* larger than what you have right now, it *might* solve this issue. No promises, but I'm with the other guys on heavy keyrings. The key may be worn like the key to my dad's van, in an odd way that lets it work sometimes and not others. *shrugs* YMMV -- Knowledge is power... Power Corrupts. Study hard... Be Evil.
Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
Desert Rat wrote: > > Allan, > how heavy is your key chain? Excess baggage can cause the key to hang > down and cause excessive wear on the lock. > My thoughts exactly. I have little experience with the newer double sided Chrysler locks, but I never had a problem with the Horizon in 230,000 miles. Since it is acting up, I'd replace it if I were willing to run multiple keys or if I could get one coded cheaply.
Re: [MBZ] OT: Dodge Caravan ignition lock cylinder
Allan, how heavy is your key chain? Excess baggage can cause the key to hang down and cause excessive wear on the lock. On 1/1/06, Allan Streib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Have not found a lot of online info about this, so thought I'd ask here > in case anyone has run into this. > > We have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recently the ignition key has > started refusing to turn, on an intermittent basis. Consulted a local > locksmith and he suggested that it was dirty and to "blast it out with > WD40". I don't like the idea of using oil in a lock but he insisted it > would be fine. Sure enough it seemed to resolve the problem -- for a > couple of weeks. > > A few days ago my wife tried to start the car and the key refused to > turn. I played with it, no luck. More WD40, no luck. Finally after > removing and reinserting the key repeatedly it turned. I said "enough > of this" and removed the plastic shroud around the steering column, > found the tab to release the cylinder, and removed it. > > I sprayed it out with brake cleaner to remove the WD40, and now it seems > to be working. But I'm hesitant to reinstall it. Seems odd that it > would be worn out already, only 3 years old. Anyone had any similar > experience? Just wondering if this is a common problem for Dodge vehicles. > > Allan > -- > 1966 230 > 1983 300D > > > ___ > http://www.striplin.net > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net > -- John Freer Palm Springs, CA 1992 500 SEL 140K "Stardust" 1985 380SL 145K "Blue Belle"
