Ignition cylinder removal

2004 DODGE DURANGO
160,000 MILES • 5.7L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DHAAHN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Can't turn key. Wheel not locked. Can't turn enough to get cylinder out. Is drilling only option left?
Jan 22, 2021 at 2:54 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I would not drill it out yet. If the steering wheel is not locked then I would start with using WD 40 in the cylinder. Then put your key back in and start working it back and forth and see if it loosens up. If it does not, then you can try and get a new metal key cut just to make sure the key is not worn out. However, if you have a second key and it is doing the same thing then this is not it.

I attached the process below for replacing the cylinder. Clearly you need to turn the key to do this but I would not drill it yet. Let us know if this works. If not we can try and figure something else out but drilling it should be the last resort.
Jan 22, 2021 at 7:39 PM
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