Ignition Lock Cylinder Trouble

I recently started having a little intermittent trouble with the Ignition Lock Cylinder on my 2001 Tacoma. I would pop the key in, and it didn't want to turn. Pretty much like it does when the steering wheel is locked. It started doing this a little more frequently, until this morning, it wouldn't work at all. I tried for about 5 minutes without any luck. To my astonishment, Toyota wanted $600+ for the ignition cylinder, a lock cylinder for each door, and 2 keys. I was pretty sure it was something to do with the tumblers in the cylinder, so when I got home, I doused it with WD40. Luckily, after several times of running the key in and out and spraying more WD40, it finally freed up, and works well now. I guess the old grease just gunked up and wasn't allowing the tumblers to line up correctly. Anyway, I just wanted to share this experience in case anyone could benefit from it, and hopefully save some money and trouble.

 

Cylinders and tumblers should only be lubed with a dry lubricant.

Next time you (or anyone else reading this) reach for a can of wd40, do a search to find out if there is a better product for the application (99% of the time, there is). By using wd40 in the
cylinder, you've basically invited all the dust in your cab to come hang out in there. It might have freed things up for a bit, but it's going to cause worse issues in the long run.

 

I had this same issue on my 98. Mine got so bad I sometimes couldn't get the key out of the ignition. I live in an area where theft isn't that bad (yet) so I took my key cylinder out and moved the last 2 tumblers in the ignition cylinder. Fixed my problem. You still need the key to start it but it was a free.99 fix.

 

I've got plenty of graphite, but I wanted to use wd40. Next time I'll check with you first to make sure it's okay so you don't get your panties in a wad.

 

There is no grease in the lock cylinder, it’s just worn. The wd40 will help for a while, but you will need a lock cylinder. Your dealer is gouging. Every dealer I worked for had a kit with tumblers, springs, etc. that we used to re-key new cylinders to match the original key. Competent technicians can do this. Try another dealer

 

I called 3 different dealers, and they all gave me the same info and price.

 

Unbelievable. In that case I would buy a new lock cylinder and have it coded to match the original key. Either a locksmith or some companies that open car doors as a business can do this. Around here we have Pop-A-Lock. Sounds corny but they are actually not bad

 

Ha ha ha!! Case in point my Lock Smith friends suggested WD-40 It sits on their bench.

All Lock cylinders when new come with a cover intact that prevents dirt from entering and is pushed aside by the key

After 20 years those covers tend to be long gone.

Lube once in a while is good.

 

Maybe so, but that's what happened.

 

Mine still has the little dust cover. I used the little red spray straw to push it open when spaying the liquid in.

 

Just replace parts never fix things seem to be the mindset these days.

Quite possible none of the techs had the skills to rebuild lock cylinders.

 

Pretty true statement. I don't mind doing that if it's a cheap and easy fix of a part that's totally worn. I asked them about matching the cylinder to my key, and they simply said they don't do that. (all 3 dealers said that) They basically said my options were to replace the ignition cylinder only, and have 2 keys. (which I wasn't about to do) Or to replace all three and pay $600+. I wasn't about to do that either. I guess what they really want you to do, is just buy a new truck.

 

Because I get work done for just the parts I have no clue of the labor

Simple to rekey a new cylinder or rebuild your original cylinder to match your key on new blanks.

 

My moms van had this issue just the other day. We tried the spare key and it never happened again. Turns out the key was just super worn out. If you have a spare it’s worth a try

 

That was the first thing I tried. No dice.

 

Well unfortunately I have some recent experience in this field...

Scotty always said dont use any kind of lubricant in the that one lock system....

Problem is ......what ever you put down that drain....it just eventually works its way down into the electrical.....

Hes says use wd 40 and then very sparingly.......because even that will flush any stuff in that tumbler set right down into the switch.......especially graphite.....which we all know is highly conductive......

I just replaced my switch.....never anything but wd whole time I owned.....however that key slot in the switch was covered in white snot when I puled it out when it failed.........

So I would use no lube of any kind...even dry.......
....maybe an electronics safe cleaner.....

.....you are switching both a 30amp and 40amp branch thru that switch.....


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sDPu3U-E-a0

 

Nothing lasts forever......replace that key switch before it locks completely ....seizes the key and refuses to turn engine off without pulling battery cable........

Oem 1st should last 150K......suspect a replacement would last less......

If you wait till too late.....you have to drill out the back of the ignition to get that cylinder to slide out to change.....

 

Now a days you cant order a match all cylinder set from toyota....

you'd now have to buy new matching door cylinders on one key......even dorman sells em....

and then new ignition cylinder on another key....

And then take all to lock smith......and they retumble the new ignition to match the new door ones....

Thats how they do apartment and motel keys.....everyday of the week......

had a buddy in high school worked for an apartment supply.....this is what he did .....all day long.....hundreds of doors.......Brooks Supply.....

 

In all my years with Toyota Vehicles I have yet to have any issues with the electrical ignition switch since the seventies. Despite years of lock cylinder lubricating.

Which is surprising since my luck is most often really bad!

 

I had an 80's Mitsubishi champ that the pins were stuck in open position....
you could start it with a butter knife......