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'99 Concorde ignition key won't turn

Hi! We've got a '99 Chrysler Concorde, worked normally this morning, now the ignition key won't turn at all. The steering wheel is not locked (I can turn it more than 1/2 turn to either side). The shift lever won't move out of park with the key in or out. Putting the key in makes the interior lights come on and the 'open door' chime goes off.

Searching the archives, I found the following possible things to do:

hit it with a hammer spray WD-40 down it make sure the battery cables are clean

I couldn't find much else. Any suggestions??

thanks very very much in advance for any clues

Reply to
postscript
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Hmmm - there was a Safety Recall C45 on '99 300M/Intrepid/Concorde (also

1st gen LHS as well as 95-99 Cirrus, Startus, Breeze, and Sebring convertible) that allowed the tranny to be moved out of park with the key removed, and allowed the key to be removed with the tranny not in park. Yours seems to be doing quite the opposite, but the shifter/ignition interlock is involved in both. Have the dealer check your VIN to see if the recall has been performed.

Other than that, perhaps a dealer tech can chime in, or do a search on

formatting link
forums.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Reply to
Bill Putney

Reply to
tim bur

I've been ignoring that recall because I WISH the stupid interlock would fail (funny, none of my other cars have killed me, and I can shift 2 of them into any gear without the key in the ignition :-) I hate "nanny" features like interlocks, personally. The one I hate the MOST is the one that makes you stand on the brake before shifting into gear on cars newer than any of mine. But I digress.

Maybe I should have it done if the failure can cause a non-functional ignition lock....

Reply to
Steve

morning,

shift

dealer

non-functional

Whacking the key in is a temporary fix,the key lock cylinder likely needs replacing. you could whack it then squirt WD in it,but it may not last long.

Reply to
TNKEV

Tap the key with a small hammer as you are turning it to start and it will turn, The key cylinder and waffers are shot, the only fix is to replace the cylinder and recode it to the key again. Spraying a lubricant in it will not fix the problem. And if you keep putting the repair off it will eventually not turn at all leaving you stranded.

Bill P, Im surprised your forum hasnt discussed this problem already

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

Reply to
maxpower

I just traded in my old Nissan p/u that would do the same thing. It was always the fault of not putting the shift lever all the way into park.

Reply to
Don

They have - in spades. I just haven't followed that particular problem (because I haven't experienced it).

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Reply to
Bill Putney

Were your parked on an incline when this happened? It happened to me once ('99 Intrepid). Apparently the car rolled back a fraction of an inch despite me having the park brake on. The car rolling back slightly put pressure on the transmission and/or the park pin so I couldn't take the car out of Park. The solution was me pushing on the car slightly while a helper turned the key one position.

Greg --who hasn't gotten that shift interlock recall done either and shudders to think what the dealer will screw up when it is done......

Reply to
Greg Houston

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