key lock cylinder problems
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
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From: Boise, ID
key lock cylinder problems
While working on my project car (1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R) I tried to start her up and wouldn't you know it, the key lock cylinder won't budge. The sucker is locked. And I mean locked. The key has some wiggle room which indicates that the tumblers or whatever they're called are stuck in there.
Am I doomed and have to shell out 100 buck plus to get a new one? Or is there a easier fix that I should try?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Am I doomed and have to shell out 100 buck plus to get a new one? Or is there a easier fix that I should try?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Boise, ID
Originally Posted by bodabdan
Is the steering wheel in a bind? Try turning the wheel back and forth while twisting the key.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,816
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From: River Valley AR
I don't mean to keep throwing out the most basic things, but is it in park? Have you tried any lubricants? Did it fail suddenly or has it gradually gotten worse? Is there more than one key for the car?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Boise, ID
Originally Posted by bodabdan
I don't mean to keep throwing out the most basic things, but is it in park? Have you tried any lubricants? Did it fail suddenly or has it gradually gotten worse? Is there more than one key for the car?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 3
From: River Valley AR
I would try compressed air in the lock to clean it first. I have always heard that liquid lubricants in a lock cause dirt to stick to the mechanism, but don't know if it's true. Just to be on the safe side I would try something like graphite first, and an oil as a last resort. If a new lock is $100 you may be better off getting a whole new column from a salvage yard. If you do, try to get the door locks too so you'll have one key.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Napa has a graphite lock lube just for this situation. I have had to use this on several vehicles that did nearly the same exact thing.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
PB Blaster has a Teflon Dry Lube that works great on locks. The nature of my business means I have around 50 locks to keep up to snuff and so far I haven't found a better lube for them. Works wonders on things like door hinges, too. I use it on all my vehicles, as well. 
I can get the PB dry lube at Advanced Auto and Pep Boys.
I can get the PB dry lube at Advanced Auto and Pep Boys.
Last edited by Rockledge; Dec 26, 2005 at 12:09 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I have been using PB Blaster in locks for a long time. It works great. You will not damage anything in your year car. What to do is remove the column covers and see if you can spray it directly into the pawl/locking pin.
For exterior door locks what I do is put a rag under the lock to protect the paint finish, stick the straw in as far as it will go, then fill the whole thing with PBB until it foams out. Then I stick the key in multiple times to make sure the tumblers are moving freely before I even try to turn it.
I do this for car door locks too, any that drips inside the door will not hurt anything. Even Ford Rangers with that stupid dome lamp switch in the latch.
For exterior door locks what I do is put a rag under the lock to protect the paint finish, stick the straw in as far as it will go, then fill the whole thing with PBB until it foams out. Then I stick the key in multiple times to make sure the tumblers are moving freely before I even try to turn it.
I do this for car door locks too, any that drips inside the door will not hurt anything. Even Ford Rangers with that stupid dome lamp switch in the latch.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
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From: Boise, ID
I used some stuff from Napa called "lock-ease" that contains graphite. Upon further inspection of the lock cylinder itself, it looks like it's the button that allows the cylinder to be turned and the key removed. The button is jammed about half way in. I'm thinking that the entire assembly itself needs to be replaced. Any ideas? Thanks for the help!
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