mkivmattho

I have searched and searched and have not found anything quite like this. Any help is greatly appreciated. Ok, so the car is a 1998 GS300 with ~130k miles. No issues with key or ignition before whatsoever. The original key with the keyless entry (the master key) was broken long ago and I have been using the valet key to manually unlock the doors and start the car for at least three years without issue. Yesterday, I came home from work and forgot something, went to get right back in the car after five or ten minutes and the ignition is stuck in the off position. The steering wheel is not locked. The car is securely in park. I rocked it back and forth to make sure. The wheel turns about 1/4 turn each direction without locking. The telescopic function of the wheel works perfectly and the car chimes to tell you the door is open. At the recommendation of several locksmiths, I have tried WD40 in the lock and graphite lubricant without success. I also tried to tap it lightly with a screwdriver as a lot of people in the RX section seemed to have success with that method. No luck.

Questions:
It has to be a stuck tumbler or something inside the lock cylinder, right?
Are my only options to purchase a new cylinder?
I found an OE replacement but not authentic Lexus/Toyota part for less than $200 but it does not come the key. The Lexus part is close to $800, right? Has anyone had success with the off brand? Can I get a blank Lexus key and have it cut to the new cylinder?

Again, any help or insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I'm stuck here.

mkivmattho

Anyone have experience with something like this?

DosyBoy

iTrader: (1)

If u tried the other 2 options with no avail, its probally gonna be your ignition switch is bad..

lexo98

iTrader: (2)

Can you still unlock the doors manually?

mkivmattho

Do you mean the lock cylinder or the actual ignition switch? Can I bypass the wiring to the switch to verify this or is there any way to check?

Yes.

gs2lock

Hey try to spray brake parts cleaner and insert the key alot of times dont turn it . Then spray some wd40if that dont work it could be a a pin stuck or a bad key i had a customer with same issue and key was to worn on sides i cut a new blank and it worked fine.

DosyBoy

iTrader: (1)

Lock cylinder op, sorry for not confirming, yes the key could be an issue as well^^^

mkivmattho

Tried that to no avail. Was your customer able to open all the doors and the trunk with his key still? My key works flawlessly everywhere else, and a locksmith said it isn't worn badly enough to cause the issue.

Thanks. That's what I am thinking it is, the lock cylinder. I had a local locksmith company come out and they agreed. Said they can replace it for $325 and rekey the new ignition to my existing key. Think this is a good deal? I know you have to be able to turn the ignition to ACC to release the pin and remove the lock, and I don't think that's possible for me so the locksmith seemed to be the only option.

squeaks638

iTrader: (1)

Mine did this the other day. I giggled it for about five minutes and then it turned over just fine