My 18 year old car's ignition chamber wasn't working right at times. I couldn't turn the key and steering well would remain locked. Found out the springs sticking (YouTube diagnosis).
I did my due diligence and read up on other websites and checked out YouTube. An ignition chamber costs about $100. Having someone install a new one, they have their markup and labor, can be pretty pricey.
I was going to order an ignition chamber but then tried a trick my great uncle did for locks: put some dry graphite into the chamber. It didn't work at first, but then I accidentally squirted half the tube of graphite into the lock. Oops, couldn't even get the key in at all. I then jiggled the steering wheel then gently pushed and rattled the key in.
Now, the intermittent problem is completely gone!
Eventually, I'll probably replace the chamber as they do get old after awhile and you don't want to get your vehicle stuck somewhere at an inopportune time.
April 24, 2017 at 10:26AM
