Working on the truck today, the mail lady stopped by with several packages. Perched on top of several heavy ones, (I'm sure I'm going to be her favorite stop since these are the first of many heavy ones I'm getting) was a small envelope with two new remote fobs.

When I got the truck, I got one fob and one key. Of course this is a chip key so it was off to the lock smith to cut and program them. When I left the lock smith, I tried both new keys on the parking lot. Both worked fine. With the new fobs, I hooked the battery back up to program them. (I'm putting a nice radio and cleaning up some other electrical issues from previous owners) It took 4 tries but eventually I got both new and also did the old fob so all three now work. All three keys also work.

However, while I had the electrics hooked up, I did some programming on the radio. I went to turn it on once and the ignition key would not turn. It was like I had the wrong key. I got out and found the original key. It wouldn't turn either. All three keys wouldn't move. They would slide in and out, but not turn. I went to the wire wheel and cleaned all the flash off the new keys and got a bottle of 3in1 penetrating oil. I applied some and lubed the tumblers. No joy. I tried everything I could think of. I may have heard a light click, but I'm very hard of hearing so I may not. All three keys work now. Each one inserts and turns smoothly.

What in the world was the issue? Is there some security program to prevent car theft?

 

The only thing I can think of is the steering wheel lock. If there is tension (twisting) in the steering column causing the steering wheel to twist against the steering lock, you can't turn the key. You have to turn the steering wheel slightly to get into a neutral area and release the lock. You may have inadvertent twisted the steering wheel while removing the key and set the lock.

 

It wasn't that. One thing I always teach a young driver is to rotate the wheel a bit in case the sprag in the column is in a bind. It was the first thing I checked. I hadn't moved the truck and the font end was off the ground waiting on new brake rotors.