Yesterday, when I put the key into the ignition, the key wouldn't turn. I thought the steering wheel was locked so i turned the wheel and tried moving the key but still nothing. After messing with it for a while I got it to move and turn on however theres still a problem. Now its kinda hard to turn and once I do turn it on it gets stuck in the last position instead of springing back to the ON position so I have to manually move it back or else the starter would keep going and none of the gauges would be on.

Ive done some reasearch and some people are saying its the cylinder and others saying its the tumbler. I think its the tumbler since the key does go in and does turn. Does anybody have some advice on what could be wrong or how to fix it?

Its a 1997 Lexus LS400... I dont know if that matters any

 

How many keys do you have and does it happen with every key? The same way?... just want to rule it out... but the not automatically bouncing back to the on position from the start position... that should be a tell tale sign pointing to something specific... I think there is a spring in the switch that causes it to return to the on position. But that is with other cars, not sure about the Lexus as I never had to take on e apart.

 

Squirt a little wd40 or any penetrant into the lock. This usually works like magic.

 

I only have one key so I cant really find out if the key is the problem. I was thinking it could be a spring thats jammed.

I heard WD-40 gums up the insides and shouldn't be sprayed. Is this true?

 

yes, never spray petroleum lubricant into a lock, especially with electrical contacts.

sillicone-based lubes should be fine.