[Tennesseestorm]

My 62k mile DeVille (1991) has yet another new problem. The key is starting to get difficult to remove from the ignition. When I got the car, the old woman had about 5 different sets of keys to the car... three of them were the pass-keys for the ignition. Unless I am using one she didn't use often, there must be something wrong with the keys or ignition. I have tried one of the other keys and it does it as well. The key goes in the switch easily and will turn over easy, but removing is a different story. I have to fidget with it to get it to release from the switch. It seems like it gets worse as the days go by. I am about to the point where I am going to leave it in the ignition and just lock the car and use my other key to unlock the door. *I probably should not have, bu I put a little "3 in 1 oil" on the key and put it in the switch, but it didn't seem to help.

Is the switch going bad, or? Thanks.

 

[basscatt]

My 62k mile DeVille (1991) has yet another new problem. The key is starting to get difficult to remove from the ignition. When I got the car, the old woman had about 5 different sets of keys to the car... three of them were the pass-keys for the ignition. Unless I am using one she didn't use often, there must be something wrong with the keys or ignition. I have tried one of the other keys and it does it as well. The key goes in the switch easily and will turn over easy, but removing is a different story. I have to fidget with it to get it to release from the switch. It seems like it gets worse as the days go by. I am about to the point where I am going to leave it in the ignition and just lock the car and use my other key to unlock the door. *I probably should not have, bu I put a little "3 in 1 oil" on the key and put it in the switch, but it didn't seem to help.

Is the switch going bad, or? Thanks.

-========================
try a 2 second shot of WD40 in the lock cylinder -
then insert and remove the key 15 to 20 times - without turning it -
followed by another 2 second shot -

give each key a spray - and wipe them off -

 

[dchavezo]

What happens when you try to remove the key while slightly rotating the wheel left to right. A slight jiggle like that may help. I dunno if I'd spray anything in there but that's just me

 

[Tennesseestorm]

It is the same. There is no pressure on the lock with the steering wheel. It is just the key is not wanting to release easily. This car has been something else. I never had problems out of my '93 Fleetwood.

 

[basscatt]

What happens when you try to remove the key while slightly rotating the wheel left to right. A slight jiggle like that may help. I dunno if I'd spray anything in there but that's just me

-----------------------------
the car is 24 years old -
my theory is that the tumblers in lock cylinder are dirty and sticking -
thus - not releasing the key -

WD40 is about the thinnest spray lube/cleaner I know of -
that won't leave a lot of crap behind -

the first spray will clean/lube the tumblers -
the second spray will flush the dirt away -

can't hurt -

 

[Tennesseestorm]

Thanks! Well I had already used the 3-in-1 oil and it seems to have worked. The key is easier to remove, especially if I place my fingers up near the switch itself and sort of "pinch" the key out. It seems like it was the "chip" in the key that was sticking. I don't remember my '91 Caprice Classic doing this, but I don't remember if it had that anti-theft chip or not. I know my old '91 Camaro RS V6 did.

Thanks!