06 saturn ion key problem

[cannon man]

sometimes ignition key wont turn all the way off for removal. is there a fix?
thanks, dave

[W4RLR]

Turn the steering wheel to the left or the right. Sometimes the anti-theft lock will cause the ignition key to bind in the lock cylinder.

[cannon man]

thanks, but thats not it.

[JesseJ1826]

Saturn Vue ignition keys have a history of sticking, and mine does regularly. When it happens I exert a little pressure downwards in the direction of the floor when turning the key. Always works.

[Fastcar]

You can by some liquified graphite. I think it is called Lock Ease spray a little into the cylinder and work the key a few times. Should do the trick.

[RottenRalph]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastcar You can by some liquified graphite. I think it is called Lock Ease spray a little into the cylinder and work the key a few times. Should do the trick.

Be carefull of what you put in there. If your key has an electronic chip, liquid graphite might interfere with the operation.

My '06 Vue had regular key issues. I could insert the key but couldn't turn it. Push up and down, shake the wheel, tap with hammer, hold my mouth in different ways. Nothing worked until I got a new key. That was about a year ago.

[Wayne M]

I think the manual states to not use graphite or other lubricants. How do I know? Well, on my 2007 vue (most likely same ignition) my key was doing just as you described. So I squirted some graphite in the lock. I'm afraid that I really squeezed on the tube and I had black powder going everywhere. Looked like a sailor coming out of the bilges - ugly.

Anyhow, after squirting the graphite the key would not even turn - at all - no matter what I tried. I got a can of Whoopass clean air and blew out as much of the graphite as I could. I got the key to turn and I was able to start the car, but the problem remained as you described. I have an extended warranty and I took it to the dealer. They replaced the ignition, no charge.

About 1 month later it started doing the same thing. Now, I wiggle the key, shake the steering wheel, and some times just pull the key out and turn it up-side-down. All, and any one of them will, can, does, work.

Wait until you get in the car when the alarm has been activated and you had to use the key in the door because the remote did not work. The brake pedal will be at full pump, you will not be able to turn the key, etc. Use the remote and try to lock and unlock and all "should" go back to normal.

Good luck.

[bkphotog]

Hi

The suggestion to get a new key made would be the way I would handle this problem. But before you do that you might compare the key that is most used against a second key that is not used as often. If you have one. You might be surprised at how much wear and tear will be evident on the most often used key. Have the new key made from the least often used key just to make sure it is "cut" with the proper shape in the grooves and teeth.

Also as a side opinion remove any excess weight from your key chain. I had a mechanic / locksmith tell me some time ago that all the other keys and "do-dads that we some times carry on our keys chains are not good for the key in question. Believe me over time all that stuff hanging on the key chain plays havoc with the teeth and the tumblers within the lock. Over the years that extra weight just begins to wear out the key and the the insides of the lock with the normal in / out / turning procedure.

Good Luck

[RottenRalph]

In my previous post, I suggested a new key. I need to add that. The new key should be cut from a key code and not just a copy of the one that doesn't work. I had to go to the local GM dealer, show the registration, my I.D. and fill out a affidavit stating why I need the code, all in order to obtain this key code

[cannon man]

nothing mentioned here seems to help. there is a switch on bottom of cylinder that may be the culpret.
thanks again, dave

[Bobg43]

I had the same problem with my 2000 Saturn. Had a new key made, not a copy and still had the problem. I was told by a mechanic I trust that it is caused by fragments from your key that get lodged into the lock. When it locked up, I would just tap the key in the ignition with a screw driver and that would eventually free it up. If it continues, you may have to get the ignition replaced.