Key won't turn on my Civic

Key won't turn on my Civic

Author
Discussion

Ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

226 months

Wednesday 12th September 2007
quotequote all
Hi all,
I was hoping you guys could help on this one.

I've just purchased a '96 (new model) 1.4 civic , and I'm noticing that about 50% of the time , when I insert my key into the ignition , it won't turn , like as if it's the wrong key. If I remove the key and re-insert it a few times it'll eventually work. This happens whether or not the steering lock is engaged.

Is this a known problem?

Any advise gratefully received.

CharlesW

266 posts

255 months

Wednesday 12th September 2007
quotequote all
As far as I know it is not a known problem. Is the key the original key supplied by Honda or is it a recut? I know from experience with an Integra that was imported from Japan with only 1 original key, that getting a recut key to work was a bitch. It did in the end, but it took several attempts by the guys who cut the Honda supplied blank.

Tinohead

639 posts

216 months

Wednesday 12th September 2007
quotequote all
Yeah, I'd agree, sounds like a crap copy of the original key. If you have the original key (should have the black rubber end to it, with the H on it) get another copy made and see if that improves it, and if it doesn't, just use the original. And don't loose it biggrin

Ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

226 months

Wednesday 12th September 2007
quotequote all
Yeah guys .. It's an original key , from your description at any rate...

Bummer...

Thanks for the responses though.

danrc

2,774 posts

217 months

Wednesday 12th September 2007
quotequote all
Is it bent? Mine got bent and only works one way round so now i use the spare key...

Ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

226 months

Wednesday 12th September 2007
quotequote all
danrc said:
Is it bent? Mine got bent and only works one way round so now i use the spare key...
Just checked .. Straight as a wonky banana.

Checked the key too.
Also straight biggrin

Tinohead

639 posts

216 months

Thursday 13th September 2007
quotequote all
You tried a wee scoosh of WD40 or the like into the barrel?

Ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

226 months

Friday 14th September 2007
quotequote all
I don't want to do the wet lube job as there's probably dirt , gunge and key swarf in the there already ,and the lube will just help it all stick together with anything else that might happen to float past the key hole...
It hasn't played up in the last day or two ... Is the car just getting used to it's new owner!!??

mantaray

250 posts

208 months

Tuesday 18th September 2007
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This is a common Civic thing , remove the cover a lube the steering lock sometime we have to take the barrel right out , its an easy fixcool