4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Ignition cylinder lock woes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-28-2012, 02:35 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
Ignition cylinder lock woes

Hey, all!

Having a problem with the ignition lock cylinder on our i30. Can't start the car with the key, but can take the ignition switch out and start it with a screwdriver in the switch.
I did the electrical tape trick and it started a few times with the key, but once the tape wore off it wouldn't start again.
Seem like the ignition lock tab is a little loose and either slides out of place or isn't gripping the switch strong enough to turn it over.
Found this part for 8 bucks online: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=488610
I assume that's the only way to fix it now, except for replacing the whole assembly (need to drill those bolts out as well).
How would I go about replacing just that part? If i'm missing something, and it's an easier fix, do let me know, please

Thank you!
99zx2 is offline  
Old 06-28-2012, 04:01 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
asand1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Reedsport, OR
Posts: 3,948
Use an aluminup popcan and glue to replicate the tape trick. My electrical tape is still working.
asand1 is offline  
Old 06-29-2012, 12:52 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
DBear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 704
Originally Posted by asand1
Use an aluminup popcan and glue to replicate the tape trick. My electrical tape is still working.
I eventually had the same problem with the tape, and switched to the coke can fix. Works fine.
DBear is offline  
Old 06-29-2012, 02:06 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
thanks, guys. i did end up putting a small piece of metal in there. definitely tightened the ignition up lol
99zx2 is offline  
Old 06-29-2012, 09:11 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
DennisMik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 10,649
The real problem is the ignition switch, not the extra space. By putting in a shim, you are just turning it a little more. If you bought a new ignition switch and key cylinder from nissan, you would still have the same space. If you take apart the ignition switch, you will see that one of the contacts inside is burned. When I was having a starting problem on my 97, I found out I could use a screwdiver and the car would start. So I took the ignition switch apart and that's what I found out. I cleaned up the contacts and I'm still using that switch 3 years later. If you do open it up, be careful, there is a spring in there.
DennisMik is offline  
Old 07-01-2012, 09:56 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
Dennis, I've tried two brand-new switches from autozone that day. No dice.
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-01-2012, 03:20 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
DennisMik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 10,649
I'm going to assume you tried shimming it. Did shimming fix it?
DennisMik is offline  
Old 07-02-2012, 12:30 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
DBear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 704
When I had my mystery starting problem, one of the first things I did was replace the ignition switch, and it didn't help. I think they're different causes of the same problem.
DBear is offline  
Old 07-02-2012, 12:59 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
ShocknAwe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 3,292
sure its your ignition? Could be park neutral switch. Next time try switching it into neutral and if it starts right up? problem solved. Lots of shops jump right to the ignition so they can sell you one and a new key and although it is a common problem it doesnt mean it HAS to be your problem
ShocknAwe is offline  
Old 07-04-2012, 12:46 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
Originally Posted by DennisMik
I'm going to assume you tried shimming it. Did shimming fix it?
yup, shimming it (small metal piece inside the ign switch) did work

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe
sure its your ignition? Could be park neutral switch. Next time try switching it into neutral and if it starts right up? problem solved. Lots of shops jump right to the ignition so they can sell you one and a new key and although it is a common problem it doesnt mean it HAS to be your problem
nope, wouldn't start in neutral either.
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-04-2012, 05:45 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
well, it started getting slow to start again, so i pulled the ignition switch for now (she'll have to use a screwdriver for now lol)

here's a vid i shot of the cylinder tab:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/81851542/VI...704_192033.mp4

i think my options are: either brand new or used cylinder lock, this thing( http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=488610), or a remote start.

how would i replace the middle choice (http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=488610)? seems like there is a pin that goes thru the lock that holds it in place, but i'm not sure.

thank you, guys.
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-04-2012, 06:02 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
carsnwomen91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Mississauga, ON, CANADA
Posts: 1,222
lucky parts are readily available. my friends benz 190's ignition broke and he had to get a new one... but its only available through benz. you send the vin # through a benz dealer to germany and then the factory makes you a new one w/ key.

he was also able to start his car for a few weeks with a flat head
carsnwomen91 is offline  
Old 07-07-2012, 10:43 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
found this guide: http://keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5409

looks like i'll have to drill some small holes next to the pins to take them off, then slide the old assembly out and new one in. Never done this before, so I hope it goes well.
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-07-2012, 02:39 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
Ok, the part came in today. Turned out to be the compete assembly for 13 shipped lol one of the connectors didn't fit. This one: http://db.tt/ikG48BsL
What's its purpose? The car started and shifted without it, but i rewired it temporarily (not soldered) and plugged it in.
thank you, guys!
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-07-2012, 02:47 PM
  #15  
4th Gen Parts King
iTrader: (384)
 
Maxima_Joe's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moorhead, MN
Posts: 7,775
Originally Posted by 99zx2
Ok, the part came in today. Turned out to be the compete assembly for 13 shipped lol one of the connectors didn't fit. This one: http://db.tt/ikG48BsL
What's its purpose? The car started and shifted without it, but i rewired it temporarily (not soldered) and plugged it in.
thank you, guys!
That's so the car knows if the key is in the ignition.
Maxima_Joe is offline  
Old 07-07-2012, 03:08 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
Originally Posted by Maxima_Joe
That's so the car knows if the key is in the ignition.
Makes sense, thank you. It did chime, so i must have rewired it correctly. Need to solder it on now.
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-05-2013, 11:25 AM
  #17  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Brittany Ooms's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 3
shayla

Originally Posted by DBear
I eventually had the same problem with the tape, and switched to the coke can fix. Works fine.

Hi there,
I have this same issue, I put tape over the lock cylinder tab but am wondering how to to the coke can fix? I'd really rather not pay for the $180 lock cylinder assembly when all I need is the tab! I just have a feeling like electrical tape won't last?
Brittany Ooms is offline  
Old 07-05-2013, 12:33 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
DBear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 704
Originally Posted by Brittany Ooms
Hi there,
I have this same issue, I put tape over the lock cylinder tab but am wondering how to to the coke can fix? I'd really rather not pay for the $180 lock cylinder assembly when all I need is the tab! I just have a feeling like electrical tape won't last?
I'm not sure where you put the tape. I don't have a picture of the can fix, but here's a picture of the tape fix I did some time ago. http://s397.photobucket.com/user/Dbe...ion-1.jpg.html The part I circled is the end of the tape. (It looks grey, but it's really black electrical tape.) The tape actually goes down into the slot, and that's where you want to shim it up with the can instead. Cut a thin strip of can to fit in the side of that slot (not the bottom) and crazy glue it in there. It's only about 1/2" long by 1/4" wide.

BTW, if you do decide to replace the lock cylinder, I got one off Amazon for about $90, not $180.
DBear is offline  
Old 07-06-2013, 11:45 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
Originally Posted by Brittany Ooms
Hi there,
I have this same issue, I put tape over the lock cylinder tab but am wondering how to to the coke can fix? I'd really rather not pay for the $180 lock cylinder assembly when all I need is the tab! I just have a feeling like electrical tape won't last?
check this out BECK/ARNLEY Part # 2011758 (AUTO) $7.28 + shipping from rockauto. same deal i got last summer! don't let that picture fool you, it's the whole assembly.
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-07-2013, 12:12 PM
  #20  
Member
 
gruesome's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 253
awesome,.mine is starting to go. You can pull the key in any position.
gruesome is offline  
Old 07-08-2013, 12:45 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
DBear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 704
Originally Posted by 99zx2
check this out BECK/ARNLEY Part # 2011758 (AUTO) $7.28 + shipping from rockauto. same deal i got last summer! don't let that picture fool you, it's the whole assembly.
Nope, it's not. I took a chance and ordered one, and it is just the cylinder part (like in the OP's picture), not the whole assembly. They must have sent you the wrong part.
DBear is offline  
Old 07-08-2013, 08:15 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
99zx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 648
Originally Posted by DBear
Nope, it's not. I took a chance and ordered one, and it is just the cylinder part (like in the OP's picture), not the whole assembly. They must have sent you the wrong part.
interesting...doesn't sound right, as their regular inventory for the same part is around $55.
this part #: 2011815 is around $52 and looks like the complete assembly in the pictures they provide.
99zx2 is offline  
Old 07-09-2013, 12:38 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
DBear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 704
Originally Posted by 99zx2
interesting...doesn't sound right, as their regular inventory for the same part is around $55.
this part #: 2011815 is around $52 and looks like the complete assembly in the pictures they provide.
Right, that's the correct part. I'm surprised it's that cheap, though, when mine was $90 off Amazon (it was the Beck-Arnley too, but a different part number). I'm sure I checked rockauto when I was looking for it. Sounds like their pricing is a little confused. But maybe it's just a great deal. I'm almost tempted to buy one just to have the spare part...
DBear is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmlee44
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
8
10-02-2022 02:13 PM
AaronL
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
15
08-08-2020 10:31 AM
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
06-06-2017 02:01 PM
HerpDerp1919
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
2
09-29-2015 02:02 PM
Andy29
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
8
09-29-2015 05:32 AM



Quick Reply: Ignition cylinder lock woes



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:38 AM.