I have the same problem. I don't think it's associated with the steering wheel lock; the wheel is dead center when I park in the garage, and it still happens. I figure something is wearing out, but I don't know what.

 

My dad gets the same problem with his '97 mini. As it turns out, the duplicate key from the locksmith works better than the original Toyota one.

 

most cases it will be the steering lock doing that, especially if you are turning the wheel at the same time that you kill the engine since the wheels will kick back after they lose power. just jiggle the wheel back and forth a bit and it should unlock the tumbler. also i would recommend using liquid graphite in the ignition instead of silicone spray as the graphite will eventually dry and lubricate the tumbler that way.

 

Mine did a similar thing, but mine got progessivly worse, I tried lubing it and it helped for a while. Luckily for me I had it in the shop for something else when it finally stopped working. Had to replace the ignition. $300+ later I was rolling again.

 

Had the same problem. It was getting progressively worse. The culprit was the worn out ignition key. New key from a dealer for $5 solved the problem. My truck had 110k miles.

 

I just had the same exact thing happen to me and it ended up being the igniton lock. Mine started out as yours did and I tried using graphite and a different key and I thought that was it until one morning I went out and it would not turn no matter how much I wiggled and jiggled. Had to tow it in to the dealership where they put me in a new switch and gave me 2 new keys. I think it was a little shy of $300 but it hasn't gave me a lick of trouble since. Knock on wood. Hope this helps you.

 

Thanks all. I was afraid it might be the ignition cylinder... I've got keys that were cut by the dealer from the VIN, so the key probably isn't the problem.

 

tumbler

if you really want to get after cleaning and lubricating you can remove the plastic cover that goes around the keyhole and the clock and turn the key to acc look for a pinhole and press it with a dental pick (toothpick will do) and pull gently on the key the whole tumbler assembly will come out. clean the tumbler and apply lots of graphite and clean and lube inside too! see if you can locate the lock pin and clean and lube it try press and relaease the lock pin while cleaning and lubing. This should help and along with a new key may fix it entirely.

 

Added Note

DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY! WHILE CLEANING!
if the little pieces fall out they are a bear to put back in even if you keep them in order.

 

I've had this problem on the Previa for years. The problem is a preload on the little pin that locks the steering wheel. This can happen regardless of whether the vehicle shifts a little after the lock is engaged, too (I almost always use the parking brake).

The easy test is to try turning the steering wheel just a hair when the ignition lock sticks. If it is the steering lock, it will free the ignition switch easily. If the ignition switch is the problem, moving the wheel won't make a difference.

It's a pretty minor problem IMO. Like I said, I've lived with it for years 'cause I'm too lazy to take off the cover and put some lube on the lock. Definitely don't want to try forcing the ignition switch tho'; like previous poster said it'll cost you several hundred bucks to fix if you break it.

C

 

Siena Key problems

We had the same issue with our 1999 Toyota Sienna both of our key's wouldnt work but the Valet key would work so we went to 2 dealers and they told me that the key's are $150 for 2 key's so we said forget it.
A friend of mine is a parts guy so he told me a trick about the toyota key's there is a magnetic strip inside the key that allows the computer to recognize your key so I went to the dealer and had them make 2 new key's without the chip inside. When You try and start the car with out the chip key it will turn over but wont start but if you put the old key body next to the new key while trying to start it she starts right up you can even remove the old key from the ignition area, so I cut off my old key and epoxyed the old body of the key to the side of the new keys I also wrapped them with electrical tape they both work as good as new. Thanks Parts guy. You saved me $150. let me know if this helped you.
Gents2
:chug:

 

Here are a couple tricks that worked with my 99 Corolla:

1. Try pumping the brakes really fast about five or six times, then turn the key in while moving the steering wheel back and forth.

2. Put the key in the ignition and then whack it into the lock. Not really hard, but firmly. This sometimes will knock the ignition back into place.

 

At 80k miles, my lock had to be changed out for 300. The dealer says it,s not uncommon.

 

I had the same issue with my '02 at 93,000 miles, Bad tumbler in the ignition. Dealer said that this was caused by having too many keys on the same ring as the ignition
key that put a strain on the ignition . A new assembly at the stealer was $119. I replaced myself and saved a bundle.( $300 dealer cost less my cost $119 = $181 a big savings for less than 1/2 hours work.

 

Helpful Article

This page explains exactly what's going on:

http://keyguyhi.com/toyotaignition.html

 

I had the same problem, cylinder that you insert the ignition key in was worn out,
I replaced it myself with a new cylinder ,from the friendly Toyota Dealer ? only $119.00 I foumd out the biggest cause for this wear-out is people have too many
keys on the same ring the igntion key is on and this additional weight is what wears
the cylinder out. Putting the new cylinder in was fairly simple and I saved the labor
cost.

 

1997 Toyota Camry Key Wont turn, Ignition Lock problem -1997 toyota camry FIXED!!! I see a lot of Douches with a capital D trying to charge people to fix this extremely common issue with this Camry ignition cylinder. OK pull the plastic guard off encasing the steering column. Get a phillips head screwdriver and remove the 2 screws holding the little off-white connector at the rear of the module(it has the wires to the ignition running to it). Get a pair of pliers or a small crescent wrench and while trying to turn the key use the wrench to turn the little rod sticking out of the back of the module. Make sure your turning it WITH the direction the key is trying to turn it. It should immediate be freed. Wala IT WORKS! AND THATS WHY PEOPLE DONT TRUST MECHANICS! HOW CAN YOU CHARGE SOMEONE FOR THAT INFO?

 

I have a 1999 Toyota PreRunner with 120,000 miles. It runs good and everything is fine except lately I have been having trouble getting the key to go to the lock position. Of course you can't get the key out unless it's in the lock position. I have to move the shift lever from park to drive and back several time while turning the key to the on position and it will finally go to the lock position. Is there a switch on the trans that needs to be replaced or do need a new ignition switch?

 

Toyota Key won't turn in Ignition

The key wouldn't turn in my Toyota Corolla ignition and I used graphite. It works great. Much better than WD-40 because it won't attract dust. Put the graphite in, then put the key in and out of the ignition several times without turning the key, so as to distribute the graphite, then try turning the key. Works great and only cost $2.29 for a tube of graphite at the local auto store. Hope this helps someone else.