New Diamond Key - Won’t Turn Ignition

[E36X5er]

Originally Posted by 80stech

I use a product called Viscotene on locks but almost any kind of spray lube should work at least to get you going.

good idea, i’ll bring some when i come back - thankfully it’s fine being parked in front of his house.

[jbfrancis3]

If you haven't tried wiggling the steering wheel yet...try that. Could be parked with tension on the lockout mechanism.

[Clavurion]

If you use any lubrication I would only use gun oil spray. Working with key wipe the excess oil with debris from the cylinder of the key.

[80stech]

Yep I was going to try with wire brush too and might still do that but after lubing it it just catches a bit and only on the first try inserting after the other key then works fine after that until I switch keys again. The Viscotene is fantastic on locks, any locksmith would probably say it is too sticky but I have been using it for 40 years and had my own shop for some of those and lubed many hundreds of locks and always worked flawlessly. Back in the day it was the ticket to keep door locks from freezing and was part of the winterizing package at my shop, never did I hear of anyone having a lock freeze after the Viscotene! It's a bit messy on the key but worth the extra trouble of wiping it a few times.

[E36X5er]

so here are some more details - steering is locked, truck is parked
on a hill.

i’ve tried using a hand held brass brush and brushing the edges of the key. tried using dry graphite lubricant - put it on the key and put the key in the ignition (not sure this was the best choice). Steering is locked, ignition is locked - wiggled the sh*t out of the steering wheel to no avail. at this point i’m not sure which is causing the problem - the wheel lock or the ignition lock.

also not sure if the battery would be causing these things to remain locked (car hasn’t been started for a few weeks) - dome light turns on, telescoping steering wheel adjuster works, haven’t tried much else.

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by E36X5er

so here are some more details - steering is locked, truck is parked

on a hill.



i’ve tried using a hand held brass brush and brushing the edges of the key. tried using dry graphite lubricant - put it on the key and put the key in the ignition (not sure this was the best choice). Steering is locked, ignition is locked - wiggled the sh*t out of the steering wheel to no avail. at this point i’m not sure which is causing the problem - the wheel lock or the ignition lock.



also not sure if the battery would be causing these things to remain locked (car hasn’t been started for a few weeks) - dome light turns on, telescoping steering wheel adjuster works, haven’t tried much else.

If it has side notches (perpendicular) it is the wrong key style.

Sent from Embassy network using Tapatalk

[E36X5er]

Originally Posted by EODguy

If it has side notches (perpendicular) it is the wrong key style.

thanks - I have the correct key, just might be too sharp on the edges. will have to try and smooth it out a bit more

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by EODguy

Interesting, my e46 (2001) and e53 (2005) have a different key. Mine is groved OUT in the middle of key and flat sides, instead

[80stech]

Dry graphite is pretty much useless for something like this, try a different lube spray.

[E36X5er]

Tried some lubricant spray in the ignition lock but still no luck. Going to see if I can get a plastic valet key to work (as soon as it arrives) - really sucks that I can’t get the steering to unlock, not even sure how i will be able to get it towed, if it comes down to that.