Question about ignition switch

[geniushanbiao]

I'm wondering how long does the ignition switch typically last? Mine is '99 AEG with 120k the switch is still fine. However I don't want my wife to be stranded so asking.

BTW, my wife told me that yesterday she parked the car and then she was not able to turn the key. I suppose she got the steering wheel locked and she forgot to turn the wheel a little bit to free the key. However after that her friend helped her by just turned the key and it turned...I'm wondering if this would cause any damage to the ignition switch...

[IndyTom]

No real set time on how long the iginition switch lasts. I have a 2000 with 170k miles on it and it still works flaylessly. Like your said your wife probably just engaged the steering wheel locking mechanism and that's why she couldn't turn the key. There shouldn't be any damage done to the actual switch by turning the key. I would just instruct her not to panic and to just turn the steering wheel a bit and then turn the iginition key. Just like most cars. If she still has trouble you may have a bad cylinder lock which is different from the actual electronic ignition switch. For now I wouldn't be worried too much and just see if she has any more issues.

[geniushanbiao]

Actually when 2 years ago she was driving another car she had this issue and I taught her how to solve it. Now it seems she forgot...

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by geniushanbiao

Actually when 2 years ago she was driving another car she had this issue and I taught her how to solve it. Now it seems she forgot...

And Women tell us we are forgetful Okay, I admit, I forget to take out the trash and do the dishes. It's my selective memory kicking in

[Smileybug]

That's nothing. Try driving an automatic, forgetting to put the car in park and having the interlock failed so you can take the key out with the car in drive. Then try to start the car and get nothing. Made for a fun evening the first time it happened (hubby's car...him driving ). Still need to take that car into Honda...there's a recall for that.

[Opelmania]

My 98 has 170K+ miles and mine still works fine. My buddy's 99 with over 300K just had his replaced after a valet guy couldn't get it to turn when returning his car. I think that had a lot to do with it! I'm sure it depends on who, how hard, and how many times it's done hard.

[D2Beetle]

I have 299k on my '98 and still using the original.

[VWBubba]

I worked for many years on roadside recover and Breakdown assist and many times came across faulty ign switches, the main cause ... KEYS !! or too many of them and big stupid key chains.

Keys are alloy and not steel, the interior of the cylinder is mostly brass, both are soft metals. Too much weight on the end of the key will wear it away until it damages the lock or the key will not work.

Take a look at a new and old key, compare the ridges :-)