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Thread: Key won't turn

  1. #1
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    Key won't turn

    Started my car and moved it out the garage and shut it off in the driveway. Hour later put the key in the ignition and it won't turn...tired the spare key, same issue. What is up with this?

  2. #2
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    Turn your steering wheel, sounds like it’s against the lock


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    When you are dead, you don’t know you are dead. It is difficult only for others. It is the same way when you are stupid.

    "Chuck Norris built my stock longblock. It runs on the tears of small children and makes 10,000 hp. He said it's his 'street version' "


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  3. #3
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    Or the tumbler puked. Not a fun job when the key doesn't turn.

    I've got my fingers crossed for you that steering pressure has the lock pinned like Spectragod said. GL!

    WLB
    BB#1) 1996 ImpalaSS - 16,500 miles - 100% stock
    ______________________________ ___________

    BB#2) 2003 Marauder (300a) - 34k miles - Daily Driver
    #2912 of 7093
    Conceived 8/6/2002
    Delivered 9/19/2002
    Adopted 8/10/2011
    Trilogy 242 - Self Installed 9/9/12 (0-60 5.5 sec)
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    JL 6.5 SubWoofer
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    ______________________________ ________________

    Rex "SC Cheesehead" Weinbender 11-14-13
    Ed "Baaad GN" Linthicum 8-6-2014

  4. #4
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    Marauders don't have a locking steering wheel....I even tried to push up the release button that is on the ignition switch...No Luck
    if the tumblers are gone... How do you take out the ignition switch?

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    The steering wheel locks.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluesboyst View Post
    Marauders don't have a locking steering wheel....I even tried to push up the release button that is on the ignition switch...No Luck
    if the tumblers are gone... How do you take out the ignition switch?
    It locks internally when you turn tumbler to the position to remove key.

    Occasionally when shutting engine off the steering wheel return force will tightly trap the locking pin. (This happens with many cars ever since the pin wheel lock design was implemented many decades ago)

    Grab the steering wheel firmly and try to turn it slightly back & forth while trying to turn the key.

    If that doesn't work, 99.999% the tumbler puked.

    Replacing the tumbler when the key can be turned is a DIY job.

    Replacing the tumbler when key doesn't turn is a job for a professional.

    Good luck!

    WLB
    BB#1) 1996 ImpalaSS - 16,500 miles - 100% stock
    ______________________________ ___________

    BB#2) 2003 Marauder (300a) - 34k miles - Daily Driver
    #2912 of 7093
    Conceived 8/6/2002
    Delivered 9/19/2002
    Adopted 8/10/2011
    Trilogy 242 - Self Installed 9/9/12 (0-60 5.5 sec)
    Pioneer 6x8 Front
    Legacy 600w 6x9 Rears
    JL 6.5 SubWoofer
    K&N CAI
    Window tint 50% rear/35% front
    FBM CHMSL with Strobe mod 7/1/12
    DR Deep Aluminum Trans Pan
    Sparta FOMOCO Racing 8.8 Girdle
    Mo's Dyno Tune
    Gorilla Nuts - The System
    Ford Racing 4.10s, 31 spline Cobra carrier & axles 7/1/12
    Powder Coat Axle Housing 7/1/12
    CME HP Rear Control Arms & Watts Link 7/1/12
    ______________________________ ________________

    Rex "SC Cheesehead" Weinbender 11-14-13
    Ed "Baaad GN" Linthicum 8-6-2014

  7. #7
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    I can turn my steering wheel even with the key out of the ignition.......Is this not suppose to be like that ?
    I did some reading in the owner manual and it states that in ignition position 3


    2. LOCK, locks automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows key removal.

    3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
    accessories without locking the steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal being depressed.

    I wonder if somehow I was able to pull the key out in this position 3. I am going to try moving the shift lever....
    Last edited by bluesboyst; 10-06-2019 at 03:52 AM.

  8. #8
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    My wheel has never locked.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    SOLD 12/31/2021

    Cobra short block / ProCharger F1-A / Cog drive upgrade / Manley valves / Brian Tooley Racing valve springs / 80# inj. / -8 fuel line / -6 return / Aeromotive 340 pumps and regulator / 2012 GT500 TR6060 six speed / twin disc clutch / Driveshaft Shop GT500 upgraded CV joint shaft / BA5000 blow thru MAF/ 4.10's / Ford Racing 31 spline set up and Girdle / Metco D.S. safety loop / Stainless Works headers, cats, and everything else out back / ClassGlass hood / Bob's hood strut mod / Hurst line lock / Metco control arms / Addco front and rear sway bars / Monroe severe duty shocks all around / Race concepts rotors / Badgeless grille / 35% tint / FBM's interior LED kit and ambient lighting kit / Pioneer FB700 deck / kenwood speaker 4 Ch. / Rockford Fosgate 10" sub and amp / Kicker 6 X 8's all around / back up cam / bluetooth / Pioneer Xm / 704 RWHP 603 RWTQ tuned by Mo's Speedshop.

  9. #9
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    Thanks, At least I know that I am not the only one that can turn the wheel even with the key out.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluesboyst View Post
    Thanks, At least I know that I am not the only one that can turn the wheel even with the key out.
    If your steering wheel turns, then the tumbler puked.

    The tumbler is retained in the column by a detent pin, the pin will only release when the tumbler is in the run position.

    This is why a tumbler replacement is easy if the key turns.

    When the key doesn't turn, it requires a lot of cutting, drilling which is best done by a professional that knows how to do it and prevent damaging the column causing it to have to be replaced.

    Good luck!

    WLB
    BB#1) 1996 ImpalaSS - 16,500 miles - 100% stock
    ______________________________ ___________

    BB#2) 2003 Marauder (300a) - 34k miles - Daily Driver
    #2912 of 7093
    Conceived 8/6/2002
    Delivered 9/19/2002
    Adopted 8/10/2011
    Trilogy 242 - Self Installed 9/9/12 (0-60 5.5 sec)
    Pioneer 6x8 Front
    Legacy 600w 6x9 Rears
    JL 6.5 SubWoofer
    K&N CAI
    Window tint 50% rear/35% front
    FBM CHMSL with Strobe mod 7/1/12
    DR Deep Aluminum Trans Pan
    Sparta FOMOCO Racing 8.8 Girdle
    Mo's Dyno Tune
    Gorilla Nuts - The System
    Ford Racing 4.10s, 31 spline Cobra carrier & axles 7/1/12
    Powder Coat Axle Housing 7/1/12
    CME HP Rear Control Arms & Watts Link 7/1/12
    ______________________________ ________________

    Rex "SC Cheesehead" Weinbender 11-14-13
    Ed "Baaad GN" Linthicum 8-6-2014

  11. #11
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    Next door to my neighbor
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    BTW I have read on here numerous times and seen other examples in person of non locking steering wheels.

    Maybe yet another ‘03/‘04 difference?

    But google shows a few in the past with your issue as needing a new cylinder.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    SOLD 12/31/2021

    Cobra short block / ProCharger F1-A / Cog drive upgrade / Manley valves / Brian Tooley Racing valve springs / 80# inj. / -8 fuel line / -6 return / Aeromotive 340 pumps and regulator / 2012 GT500 TR6060 six speed / twin disc clutch / Driveshaft Shop GT500 upgraded CV joint shaft / BA5000 blow thru MAF/ 4.10's / Ford Racing 31 spline set up and Girdle / Metco D.S. safety loop / Stainless Works headers, cats, and everything else out back / ClassGlass hood / Bob's hood strut mod / Hurst line lock / Metco control arms / Addco front and rear sway bars / Monroe severe duty shocks all around / Race concepts rotors / Badgeless grille / 35% tint / FBM's interior LED kit and ambient lighting kit / Pioneer FB700 deck / kenwood speaker 4 Ch. / Rockford Fosgate 10" sub and amp / Kicker 6 X 8's all around / back up cam / bluetooth / Pioneer Xm / 704 RWHP 603 RWTQ tuned by Mo's Speedshop.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    over here, with the 40's of beer.
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    Posts
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    My ‘04 wheel locked, maybe mine was a 1 off, seems to happen to me more often than not


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I LOVE Jerry's bar, it's my kinda place...........






    When you are dead, you don’t know you are dead. It is difficult only for others. It is the same way when you are stupid.

    "Chuck Norris built my stock longblock. It runs on the tears of small children and makes 10,000 hp. He said it's his 'street version' "


    Trilogy # 192 / T.S. 0012

    BOOST GETS YOU FELONY STOPPED!!!





  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spectragod View Post
    My ‘04 wheel locked, maybe mine was a 1 off, seems to happen to me more often than not


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I've certainly had mine lock before in my 04, I never tried to lock it in the 03


    2016 Ford Mustang GT PP - Lund nGauge, BMR vertical links, MGW Shifter, BMR CB005

    2004 Mercury Marauder - Eaton M112, Billetflow 3.4, Accufab SBTB + Plenum, T-56 Magnum, 4.10s, Stainless Works LTs, 2.5" Exhaust, Borla Stingers, Ridetech Coilovers + Adj rear shocks, FX-R projectors, Wilwood 13" BNSL6 + FNSL4 BBKs, S55 Gauge Cluster
    440rwhp & 406rwtq Tuned by Adam @ Revolution Automotive
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    (Sold) 2003 Mercury Marauder - Stainless Works LT's, Stainless Works 2.5" Catback, JLT Intake, Mo's Xcal4 Tune
    5377/7838

    2000 BMW M5 - Evolve Intake, Evolve Alpha-N tune, Stoptech ST-40 BBK, UUC SSK, Dinan front STB, Dinan RSB

    1996 Ford Bronco - 4" lift, 35" BFG A/T's, Punisher Valve Body, MH1 Projectors

  14. #14
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    I will be calling a locksmith this week. Now if the lock cylinder has to be drilled out the tumblers are ruined of course. Can the new lock cylinder be rekeyed to use the old keys? Can it be rekeyed just from the original keys?

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by justbob View Post
    BTW I have read on here numerous times and seen other examples in person of non locking steering wheels.

    Maybe yet another ‘03/‘04 difference?

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    I never paid attention to mine, just assumed it locked like every car since the mid 70's.

    Now I'll have to check it to see.

    WLB
    BB#1) 1996 ImpalaSS - 16,500 miles - 100% stock
    ______________________________ ___________

    BB#2) 2003 Marauder (300a) - 34k miles - Daily Driver
    #2912 of 7093
    Conceived 8/6/2002
    Delivered 9/19/2002
    Adopted 8/10/2011
    Trilogy 242 - Self Installed 9/9/12 (0-60 5.5 sec)
    Pioneer 6x8 Front
    Legacy 600w 6x9 Rears
    JL 6.5 SubWoofer
    K&N CAI
    Window tint 50% rear/35% front
    FBM CHMSL with Strobe mod 7/1/12
    DR Deep Aluminum Trans Pan
    Sparta FOMOCO Racing 8.8 Girdle
    Mo's Dyno Tune
    Gorilla Nuts - The System
    Ford Racing 4.10s, 31 spline Cobra carrier & axles 7/1/12
    Powder Coat Axle Housing 7/1/12
    CME HP Rear Control Arms & Watts Link 7/1/12
    ______________________________ ________________

    Rex "SC Cheesehead" Weinbender 11-14-13
    Ed "Baaad GN" Linthicum 8-6-2014

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