Aron9000

Okay, so I did something rather stupid today. Washing the car today, its a 1992 SC300/5 speed. I have the keys in the pocket of my gym shorts, they're getting on my nerves, so I just toss them in the grass next to the driveway where I'm washing the car. Anyways, I'm all done, go to move the car into the street so I can wash my truck next. Stick the key in, turn the car on, feels a little sticky. Move the car, turn it off, pull the key out, its very sticky, doesn't want to come out, then I notice a bit of dirt/debris comes out of the ignition lock.

Yeah, so apparently when I tossed the keys in the grass, the key caught into the dirt, as you know these keys are a bit weird, I think the whole inside of the key's "teeth" was gummed up with dirt. I didn't notice this before I started the car. Now the ignition switch is a bit sticky, sometimes it doesn't want to let the key out when I turn it off. I of course cleaned the key, and cycled it through a few times, which seemed to help the stickyness/not wanting to come out. It isn't as bad now, but still doesn't feel like it did before I jammed a bunch of dirt in there.

Anyways, I'd appreciate any tips/suggestions on what to do here. On my old Cadillac, I freed a sticky trunk lock by spraying the key down with WD-40 and jiggling the key in/out. I know that you can probably buy some sort of silicone spray at the hardware store made especially for sticky locks. I might try this, but I'm kind of worried I will fry the electronics in the lock.

Does my 1992 SC have a "chip" in the key? That's mainly what I'm worried about screwing up. Its the old style Lexus key, the one with the little bump on the side of the key that locks/unlocks the doors.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Returd

no chip in a 92 key