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Old 12-08-2014, 05:59 AM   #1
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ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situation.

searched around and will try a few of the items listed in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11737&hilit=ignition+locked

in short, made a trip, then returned and turned off van as usual. go back to leave friends house and open door and hear key dinger like key is in ignition. put key in and it wont even entertain the option to turn. not even a little. this is in a 03 7.3 cargo eb if it makes a difference.

tried most everything in thread listed above other than pull wheel straight back, hammer, and wd40 methods which i will try first chance i get, but looking for any input. now ive had my key stick in ignition a few times and was able to get it out each time after a few minutes with some jimmying, but this situation is a new one for me.

something feels different. when wheels are turned and its binding the mechanism, you can feel it when you put some pressure on the steering wheel. my steering wheel feels like its locked more than usual. i dont have near the range as you normally would with the mechanism is bound and wont allow key to advance.

any advice is welcomed...

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Old 12-08-2014, 06:56 AM   #2
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

It sounds like you are just stuck between the steering lock and steering wheel pressure. It's rare for these vans to get bound up like this, but not impossible. My suggestion is to try to take a pair of floor jacks and lift the front tires, and see if that releases the pressure.

If that doesn't free it up, next try pulling the tilt level and running the wheel up and down through its range of motion.
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Old 12-08-2014, 06:00 PM   #3
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

Sounds like a GM ignition problem........

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Old 12-08-2014, 07:41 PM   #4
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

I had this EXACT same thing happen on a Dodge van about two months ago. It was the day I was leaving town for several months, so I had to leave it and have not solved the problem yet, but I'm very interested in any solutions anyone may have.........
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Old 12-09-2014, 05:57 AM   #5
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

night of, i tried moving the tilt up and down while jimmying and smacking the bottom of the steering column and the key with my ice scraper (all i had within reach) and of course moving around the shifter. even pulled on the wheel each way till it felt like something was gonna break. still nothing. i had worked a my buddys daughters car all day (it started first try, lol) and was just done wrenching. didnt feel like fumbling around in the dark tackling a problem ive never encountered so i just got a ride home

i couldnt get to the van last night (other car is on jackstands), but wife is off today and will try carringbs suggestions along with a few off the list in thread i found and report back. really hoping something gives and lets loose cause i have no idea what to do if these suggestions dont work.

appreciate the reply carringb. lifting the wheels is a great idea. somehow i knew if anyone replied, it would be you. if we ever cross paths, id love to buy you lunch or something. you help a lot of folks out around here, i would love to be able to return the favor for once. even if it is just helping to fill your belly
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Old 12-09-2014, 08:53 AM   #6
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

Quote:
Originally Posted by shenrie
appreciate the reply carringb. lifting the wheels is a great idea. somehow i knew if anyone replied, it would be you. if we ever cross paths, id love to buy you lunch or something. you help a lot of folks out around here, i would love to be able to return the favor for once. even if it is just helping to fill your belly
yepppp, he had me whooping' on my fan clutch with a piece of rebar and a broke-handled shovel outside a volunteer fire station in central Arizona one Sunday morning'... haven't had a problem with it since
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Old 12-09-2014, 10:54 AM   #7
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

Quote:
Originally Posted by shenrie
I have no idea what to do if these suggestions dont work.
If all else fails, it will be time to call a mobile locksmith. Seems they deal with this problem once in a while. Hopefully there is a less expensive solution though. Actually,we did get it to turn one more time by the use of some physical violence and kept it running until it was parked for the winter. Tried it again once it was parked and it was frozen again. Frustrating.....
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Old 12-09-2014, 09:55 PM   #8
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

I had his happen once and was just about to call a tow truck when I realized I was using the key to a different Ford van (so it fit into the ignition fine, but would not turn). Adding to the illusion, I was parked on a really steep hill, so wasn't "surprised" when the wheel/key jam thing happened. Boy did I feel stupid (but relieved) when I realized what the problem was

Yours is probably the real thing though -- since you had the false "ding" when you opened the door. I wonder how many other people have had my version of the problem though
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Old 12-10-2014, 06:25 AM   #9
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

while i appreciate all the replies, sadly, none of them helped. i searched all over this forum and scoured google for additional info. lots of stuff about keys locked in ignition, but only a few instances of my scenario. all ended with replacing ignition. made a call to a local locksmith. he was positive i just needed a new key cut...for 45 bucks. i wasnt sold.

i took all 6 keys i got with van when i bought it, some wd40, and a light duty hammer. lifted front axle so fronts were dangling, then tried all the suggestions id gathered up. all fruitless. so i removed the bottom of the steering column cover and started poking around. i couldnt get the tilt lever off (i think i know how though now, lol) so i was just moving the bottom cover around and noticed when i wedged it into one certain position the dinger stopped, but i couldnt spot any reason why. ive had that dinger keep dinging many times key or no key, so i didnt give this much merit towards a solution. i was looking at how to get the top cover off when i noticed this little nub sticking up right just next to the black dealio the key goes into (the nub would normally be under the top column cover). it was pinkish colored. i grabbed my screwdriver and poked at it. it was hard to see what it actually did cause the cover was in the way, but after i poked at that little nub it fell into some position like it was spring loaded. i tried the key and it turned with zero resistance. started truck and just got it home asap. once home, i tried ever which way from tuesday to recreate the lock and couldnt get it to lock up again.

so, in short, not really sure what i fixed, but ive made a few trips with the van and no issues so far. im sure this issue will pop up again and screw me even harder, but until then it seems to be working. my luck lately has been absolute shit. this was just another chapter. once it stops working again i have a little better idea what to do, so next time i will make sure i have a set of pick tools handy and a camera so i can document the steps to fix this a little better for the next unfortunate person this happens too.

again, i really appreciate everyone who took some time to offer suggestions
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Old 12-10-2014, 07:13 AM   #10
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Re: ignition stuck....dont know how else to describe situati

Did you try actually removing the lock cylinder from the steering column and cleaning the contacts, etc.? It's fairly easy to remove once you know the tricks.

My 1998 tilt wheel lever just unscrews, if I recall correctly.
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