As I look down these threads I see I'm not the only one with the stubborn ignition. So what's the remedy for this? Where do I spray the WD-40 to thin up the grease? I can get the truck started but it's even harder to turn it off, even after the heater has been on for 10min. although my heater sucks and my fac temp. guage is running on the L while my mech. temp. off the water pump says 160 degrees, so not hot water. I put in a new thermostat a year ago, could my 2 dollars have failed me in the dead of winter?

 

Basically.......this is a problem in winter months, remember that when you spray WD-40 in the ignition switch, you clean out not only the lube thats designed to be in the ignition to keep wear an other dust debre from collecting and generally wear out the ignition AND your KEY. If you look at your key, you'll see the wear has already begun, the key is supposed to wear faster than the switch, and when you get a new key, it should be coded to the Ignition, this means that the key when its dupicated, should be done by a locksmith, the reason you ask? Its because if you just have it duplicated, you are just duplicating the same problem you have now, so when that key gets to a place in time. and stops working (Clicks or you have to jiggle it to get it to turn.etc) Its time to replace the switch before the key breaks altogether.

The question still remains you ask...What do you use to keep it running smooth as silk? Naturally....Graphite. It comes in tubes, spray tubes, even as a liquid. Most locksmiths shops carry it. For around $2.00 or less, you can keep those locks from sticking and wearing out your ignitions and door locks....even your house locks.

 

Do you just shoot some in the slot for the key?

 

Big Red: You're talking in metric... I know it... I'm a Bluenoser stuck in NW Ontario... Nova Scotia doesn't get THAT cold
And, I wasn't talking in metric... It's a balmy -31C(-24F) out this morning

 

Yes... sometimes I foget to make the conversion... it was -19C this morning... about -1 or -2F. Still plenty cold for this area of the country!

Where abouts in NW Ontario? I am off to Winnipeg in a week's time. Have been to Kenora, Ont. and it gets plenty cold there too!

 

Yes the graphite goes into the keyway of the lock, remember to spray a little at a time while inserting the key and turning it and just insert the key back an forth. About two to three sprays will help keep the lock in perfect working condition, never spray WD-40 into the lock keyway and then inserting the key. Mixing WD-40 or any oil base product AND spraying graphite will gum up the lock causing the lock to bind/and or key to break inside the lock making you have to call a locksmith to come fix it.

 

I'm in Sioux Lookout, about an hour north east of Dryden(I've a feeling if you know where Kenora is, you know where Dryden is)
Haven't been into the 'peg in nearly a year now....

 

When I had that problem with the ignition, i just took the tumbler out and hit it with 2+2 carbeurator cleaner to get all the grease out of there. then i hit it with graphite to keep it running smooth.

 

Well, am glad you "washed" all that grease out, later on you can bring me the lock to repair, knowing that there isn't any lube in the lock will tell me you "cleaned" it out.....thus it'll wear much faster than you think....hummm. ....experiance is the True Key to a turnon.

 

What kinda grease do you use to grease the lock? Mine is a bit gummy, I need to fix it..

 

But my ignition and locks work great with the keys, slide in and out and everything perfectly. I never have any problems there, it's turing the actual ignition around, wouldn't I have to pull the steering wheel to losin up the actual switch? I'm not gettin a hard click when I turn it, just cold, cold grease.

 

dont get that graphite crap on your fingers or anything else, stuff is worse than nevr~seez or high spot blue for staining and sticking on your fingers, and redneck cowboy is right, it isnt the tumblers thats are sticky its the entire cylinder which has some 18 year old nasty thick grease like you find inside some of the light bulb sockets

removing the lock cylinder and cleaning some of that crappy grease otu and using something better would help, i would say i yse several 50+ year old keys and locks at the shop and im pretty sure nobody maintained them for all these years, they work great, i like wore out keys better than fresh cuts, mush less sharp................grinding off the tooth that holds the key in the tumbler is always nice too

 

did it 4 years ago and it hasnt given me any trouble

 

Let's see - I put a set of helper springs on my truck yesterday. Outside in my driveway. Got kind of warm, so I had to take my light jacket off.

 

Well I been working on hundreds of different types of locks, and so only time will tell when that lock will not work again, do what you want, was just trying to help in any regard. By the way...keep on filing those teeth marks off your keys, and all it takes is one spot that you misfile and poof...no key will work again in that lock....esp if it gets stuck in it. I would tell you what to use, but there is so many here that knows it all about locks, I'll just as soon as let you hang your on keys on your hook.