Intermittent ignition switch

[sabrepoint]

Hi. First posting for me on this forum!
Here's my problem:

* When attempting to start, sometimes key won't turn in ignition switch (no, nothing to do with steering lock!). It's being a good boy right now so I can't be sure, but I think when this happens it won't even turn to the AUX position. First occurred about 6 months' ago and seems to happen about once or twice a week now. I've owned car since 2004.
* Remedy? Basically just keep trying ... remove key then retry; try alternative key; try locking doors using hand-remote and/or key to re-open then retry key; use key to open trunk! then retry in ignition (well, this seemed to work once or twice : ). Just keep trying maybe 10 or more times until it works.
* Reason I tried the trunk trick ... well ever since we've owned car, trunk lever actuator only works when it feels like it - often it needs to be opened with key. So there's a problem here but never been much of an issue.

Seems to me (novice) that could this be a key problem (unlikely as I've tried alternative keys); some problem with the key receptor thingy; or a problem with the car computer ... aagh! I'm happy to take to Toyota garage but concerned that, because it's intermittent, they may not find the fault. Maybe just a computer reset? Possible?

Anyone had a similar problem? Or advice as to what I could suggest to garage? Don't want to be left out in the cold!

Thanks for any help. Hope I've described problem OK.

ps: I'm not really an Aussie, but no Kiwi flag available. Aussie one pretty close!

[Jimnist]

So you can't turn the key at all or does it just not crank? Maybe the tumbler lock is starting to jam up?

If this is the case, get a new lock cylinder (from the wreckers). Then you have 2 sets of keys to play with (one for body and one for ignition lol).

[500KCamry]

Try lubricating the tumbler, after doing so slid the key in and out a few times to get the lubrication into the pins.

Also when trying to turn the key, wiggle it up and down in the slot in the direction of the slot long axis, not side to side in the direction of the slot short axis.

If this fails, then pull the tumbler and let a lock smith take it apart and clean it

[tonymich]

I have the same problem with my 2000. I got brand new keys made and thought that would do the trick but it didn't. I lubed the tumblers once and it helped but it still does it. I'm going to try to lube again before I remove it.

[sabrepoint]

Thanks for comments. Maybe all I need is to lube tumblers? So I squirted some CRC in. I'll see what happens. Thanks again.