'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

 

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
www.dodgeintrepid.net forums.

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

 

there is a repair kit for the key cylinder and a new housing it's the same
one for the minivans but some techs want to replace the column but it's not
needed

 

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....

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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')

 

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......