On 1/1/06, Allan Streib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > We have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recently the ignition key has > started refusing to turn, on an intermittent basis. Consulted a local > locksmith and he suggested that it was dirty and to "blast it out with > WD40". I don't like the idea of using oil in a lock but he insisted it > would be fine. Sure enough it seemed to resolve the problem -- for a > couple of weeks.
My father owns a 99 Dodge Ram Van. When he bought the vehicle used it had a single key. He took it to a lock smith and had a key cut. It opened the drivers door and worked no other lock. Had a second key cut and it opened the passenger door and worked the ignition, but not the drivers door, rear door or dual split (where slider would be) door. Had a third key cut, this key worked driver's door, rear door, and ignition. At this point the locksmith kind of said "I give." and wouldn't cut any more keys. Gave my dad back his money and let him keep all three. I got the van for a few months after an accident left me without vehicle. Was completely awed that the keys worked like that. The original worked everything, but not a single cut key did. Took the vehicle to the dealership and had them cut a key. It didn't work any of the locks, but after work I could get it to turn the ignition. Took it back to service desk, recut, worked some locks, but not all. Service tech was like me, very interested in the problem, and we brought all the keys out, he pulled out what looked like a spanner, whatever it was he was measuring the keys that worked in certain locks. He finally said "Ah ... yeah, the master key has been worn in an odd way. I'm not sure why it still works all the locks, but the pins won't line up properly on most of the rest of these keys." He cut me two more keys, with the master positioned slightly further out then I've usually seen which made the next two keys a little larger. When you hold the keys together, you can see the new key following the outline behind the master key. Both keys worked everything just fine. I'm guessing that the metal used in Dodge / Chrysler keys late 90's to today may not be a full steel blend. I know that the old Geo, specifically the Metro, keys had a lot of Aluminum in them. When it got real cold it was very easy to break a key off in a lock because they became extremely brittle. If you can explain it to the service tech this way, and have them recut you master that is *slightly* larger than what you have right now, it *might* solve this issue. No promises, but I'm with the other guys on heavy keyrings. The key may be worn like the key to my dad's van, in an odd way that lets it work sometimes and not others. *shrugs* YMMV -- Knowledge is power... Power Corrupts. Study hard... Be Evil.
