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99 sebring key wont turn!!


christopherb
04-25-2005, 07:09 PM
help!!
i have tried using both the keys i have for my 99 chrysler sebring and the ignition wont turn for nothing!! i bought the car off a friend of mine about a month ago and i have not had a single problem out of the keys in the igntion and turning. now today, i had to fight for over an hour with the ignition and the keys to get the key to finally turn!!! i have had to lock the steering wheel and turning it back and forth while trying to turn the key but it didnt seem to help out much. i dont know what i finally did to get it to start but i did.. i drove it home and took out the key... waited a few minutes and tried to turn it again.. but the key wont even turn. ill have to end up fighting with it for another hour to get it to turn, i know!
i was going to try to get a replacement key made at Lowes, but they said since there is a chip in the key, they couldnt do it!!

does anyone have any ideas???
could the chip in both keys be going bad?
key itself not engaging in the ignition properly?
or maybe a bad ignition!!??

any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

RTAdams89
04-25-2005, 07:44 PM
Try applyign a small amount of oil to the key. If you have garage door oil or similar put a dab on the key and then slide it in and out. If not, a quick mist of 100% silicoen spray into the lock may help. (DON'T USE WD-40, ONLY USE SILICONE SPRAY). Slide teh key in and out a few times, then pull it out and whipe off the excess with a cloth. Repeat this over a few tiems. Also try wiggiling the key in the lock (both up and down, side to side, and twisting). Then, fianlly, push the key firmly into the lock, and keep pressure on it as you turn and start the car. Let us know if that works.

christopherb
04-26-2005, 07:12 PM
i went out and bought some silicone spray.. i did everything you said to try but i dont think it helped much. i didnt get the key to turn once, but once only.

any other thoughts or ideas?

i think im just going to have to get out my checkbook and go to the dealership tomorrow. :(

assuming i can get the key turned again to drive it there!!

RTAdams89
04-26-2005, 07:41 PM
Well the pins in the lock and or the tension sprigns amy be messed up. That happens alot on millitary equipment (or used to befor new locks were designed). You try to have it re-pinned, but just replacign it may work better.

Lawlor
04-28-2005, 03:06 PM
i have a 95 sebring and my key wont come out of the ignition when i turn it off.. i figured out after awhile that i have to hold down the break and turn to pull out teh key.. you could try that but i havent heard anything about it not turning to start the car

Legendkiller
07-09-2005, 07:16 PM
This happened to me once and it was because the wheel was turned oddly(wasnt straight). just moving the wheel around made it work and i had no problems since. Try making sure the wheel is straight as mine wouldnt come out when the wheel was turned. I doubt it would be the programming thing because i had a 2nd non computer chip key for the car(99 convert) and all the computer aspect for the key is a theft device. The key(ive tried this with my non chip key,just regular hardware store key) will turn, and the car will turn on and off right away which makes the thief think the car is dying. Your best bet, in my opinion, is just try and make sure the wheel is straight when youre putting the key in and out. hope this works/makes sense

Lawlor
07-13-2005, 10:40 AM
well thats good you figured it out. ive looked before to see if it was because my wheel wasnt stright, and that wasnt the problem. it was something with the shifter, it wasnt fully in park (even tho it was) i had to hit it hard for it to click in to the park gear, and then after awhile i figured out that pushing the break makes the gear click in to park.. if that makes any sense, its weird. i hate my 95 sebring!

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