Dodge-Grand Caravan -
Key is not able to move ignition at all
Waseem Khalil (96.239.231.93) - Sat May 31 14:28:51 2008
Dodge Grand Caravan 2000... key goes inside the ignition perfectly but not able to move ignition at all. It remains at the lock position. Tried all 3keys for the van.
Reply #1 Jim L. (24.237.195.58) - Thu Jun 26 05:25:37 2008
Had the same problem. Went to dealer with the VIN number for my van and they were able to make a new key. Worked great! Turns out my key had just worn down and wouldn't work.
Reply #2 scott h (72.227.90.185) - Sun Jul 13 08:46:41 2008
same problem tumblers had worn out . dealer fixed them but cost over 200, thought that was a bit high
Reply #3 Joe Friday (72.91.234.39) - Mon Sep 29 11:01:36 2008
Ignition switch failure is a common occurance with Chrysler Corporation vehicles. It's caused by dirt and grit getting inside the cylinder and as the key wears down, then it just makes the key and the cylinder wear more.The switch will begin to be hard to turn and you may have to jiggle the key to make it turn. Eventually, the wafers inside the lock with bend and the switch will stop turning all together and it will need to be replaced. Our company does sell the ignition switches for these Chrysler Corporation vehicles at our website which is amazingkeys.com at a price that is about 1/3rd of the dealer. We can even match the switch up to your vehicles present key. While not strickly a do it yourself item, an ignition switch can be replaced by someone with mechanical ability or by a mechanic. My recommendation is that you order a replacement ignition switch cylinder when the switch begins to become harder to turn. Don't wait until the switch has completely failed because you will need to have the car towed to the dealer or a garage to fix this at a cost of $200-$300 plus the time and trouble you will go through without your vehicle. Joe Friday amazingkeys.com
Reply #4 Tim (71.252.234.235) - Wed Oct 1 23:07:22 2008
This is common in most vehicles. It is connected to the steering wheel. If you key will not turn in the tumbler, put the key in the ignition, try to turn it and try to turn the steering wheel. The wheel will unlock and the key will then turn. You may have to put a little force on the wheel while turning. While the vehicle is turned off, if you try to turn the wheel it will turn a little then lock. Locking the wheel also locks the ignition. This happens when you turn off your vehicle and then use the steering wheel to push out of your car. You do not need to replace anything, this is normal to ALL vehicles. Carrollton, Tx
Reply #5 Kelli (63.139.6.154) - Mon Oct 6 13:43:34 2008
Someone tried to steal my Dodge 95 caravan and I need to know how much will it be for me to install a new ignition and or steering column?
Reply #6 Matt (173.3.60.11) - Sun Jan 18 02:13:18 2009
The problem is usually within the key tumbler. Unfortunately, the tumbler has a sort of button on the bottom to press in order to get the key tumbler (the entire cylinder) out. One catch: the key needs to be in the ignition I or the ignition II position to remove the tumbler assembly. If the key will not turn, the easiest way to remove the cylinder is to take a roto-zip tool, or a dremel tool with a straight metal bit, and grind down the button that holds the current cylinder into the column housing. Once this is accomplished, the park safety cable that leads to the shifter can be removed (automatic transmission vehicles with floor mount shifter), and the yellow tab can be pressed to allow the tumbler to slide out of the housing. New tumbler will come with a new button, but it must be re-keyed to the vehicles original ignition key. Before doing this, have a new key cut from the vin number of the vehicle, so that you're starting with a brand new key, and take the two to a locksmiths shop, and have the pins in the tumbler keyed to fit the new key you have just had cut. Then, slide the tumbler back into the housing, making sure that the button engages the cutout in the housing, and connect the cable, and you're done. It sounds more complicated than it is, but it will save you plenty of cash. Having this done at the dealership or other repair shop (many of which will not be able to procure or even rekey a new cylinder), will cost around $200-$300, possibly more if they charge you extra to cut the old ignition cylinder out. Good luck to all that have to do this, just make sure to not damage the housing that the tumbler sits in, and make sure to lube the cylinder good (on the outside) before installing. A bit of dry graphite powder on the inside keeps the lock mechanism lubed well, just dont overdo it, or the graphite builds up and wont allow the key to sit in the cylinder the correct way. Any other car questions, feel free to email me. I am an ASE Master Certified Auto Technician, L1 Certification, Master Engine Machinist Certification, Undercar Specialist, amongst many other certs, including GM, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc. I enjoy helping out those who need advice, and I hate seeing people mislead others on the internet or elsewhere because they dont have the experience themselves. Just remember, anyone on the net can be a "pro" but when it comes down to finding and fixing a real problem, you need the right information, or the problem will cost way more in time and money.~Matt
Reply #7 Anne L Brookie (24.166.8.160) - Sun Jan 18 13:18:00 2009
I learned in one of your forums that ignition probs are common, often a new key helps (and mine did for awhile), W-D 40 helps (and did for awhile) BUT................the best advice is to engage the parking brake (I do it before shifting to park and turning off engine). It has worked now for two weeks - no problem whatsoever with the key not turning. Thanks to whoever thought of this. Anne
Reply #8 Anne L Brookie (24.166.8.160) - Sun Jan 18 13:23:43 2009
PS On another forum I heard if the key is irretrievably stuck and won't turn, give it two or three sharp raps STRAIGHT INTO the ignition. This worked several times for me, but it didn't seem like a reliable long-term fix! You will at least get it started to get to the dealer. You could take a chance once you are there and try the above parking brake hint.
Reply #9 Siracusa's Lock & Key (24.58.175.113) - Wed Feb 11 18:47:55 2009
Most of your problem is caused by not putting key in ignition as straight as possable. If you have too many keys or too much weight hanging from ignition switch it will wear the tumblers and the key.
Reply #10 Greg (24.20.174.33) - Sat May 30 16:08:19 2009
I just had (May, 2009) a sort of similar situation with my '95 Dodge Ram 2500 in that the key wouldn't start the truck without extra pressure applied to the housing in order to keep the tumbler engaged in the electrical part of the ignition switch. Went to dealer...dealer cost of tumbler - $103, electrical switch - $113$ (& none in stock or in pipeline to be manufactured)...+ $120 to diagnose...electrical part ($113) is what tech said needed replacing. 1st Final total, out the door, quote - $695. I couldn't afford that, so, next day the quote was $575 - evidently they waived the diagnosis fee. Couldn't afford that either. Told'em to just button it back up & I'd come get it - rode my bicycle over there (2 mi), paid the $120 fee, parked truck back in driveway, caught some kind of respiratory ailment & was off work for 56hrs (sick time), phone around & found electrical switch at local costless auto store for $28.70 including sales tax...they had 2. After getting better, bought $28.70 switch & spent about 30 minutes or so changing switch. Saved about $575 - $28.70 = $546.30. WARNING: if you decide to use my advice, I would advise skipping the "catch some kind of respiratory ailment" step.
Reply #11 mike abrams (67.233.168.250) - Mon Jul 27 23:43:25 2009
Dealer wanted $390 to replace my ignition lock which was sticking and sometimes the key would not turn. I took it to a locksmith and he did the same thing for $100. Dealer has to charge high prices because mechanics on salary, time, etc. I did pay $90 to the dealer to look at it because that is what they charge to look at any car. But when they quoted me $390 I was shocked. Also I placed a phone call to federal agency dealing with cars and recalls because I have read a lot about these car ignition problems, and also the Ford Focus. It's dangerous because you could get stuck somewhere. An Ignition lock should work for the life of the car.
Reply #12 wendy (24.185.124.49) - Fri Jul 31 10:52:02 2009
My key would not turn in my Dodge Caravan. Tried moving the steering wheel, putting in neutral, even the rubber mallot. None of it worked. picking it up from my mechanic today....needed new ignition :-(
Reply #13 Andrew (65.95.192.171) - Sun Aug 2 21:58:58 2009
Hi, today i drove my mother's 08 Grand Caravan into work today and i ripped into the parking lot and slid into a parking spot, i didn't notice that it was in drive and shut off the engine, the key wouldn't go into the off position and was locked in. so i asked my mom in the passanger seat to see whats up and she pulled out the key. (still in drive) no this is when it hit the fan. The key goes into the slot but it can't turn, the shifter is locked, the steering wheel will turn all the way around (doesn't lock) and the enigine won't start. The keyless start honks the horn and flashes the lights, it isn't the tumblers cause there are none, its one of those spiffy keys like the SAAB's have with no teeth. so basically the key is locked and won't turn over the engine, can someone please help, im at the cottage and the van is still stranded in my work parking lot with the windows open.
Reply #14 Chris (97.122.233.215) - Mon Oct 26 09:56:12 2009
Thanks to Anne for the hammer trick. It worked after 3 light taps. Now I can at least get it somewhere to get the ignition worked on.
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