I have a 1996 Toyota Avalon, the key will go in the ignition but won't turn. It usually does after a couple tries. The problem seems to be getting worse and sometimes the key won't come out.

CaptainRich

Read my profile. I worked for a major Toyota dealer for years. Most all vehicle keys are a brass alloy and are really kinda soft. The wear quickly and the "dust" that wears off stays in the ignition lock cylinder ( and the door lock cylinder ) and eventually build up causing the binding. There is no preventative maintinance. They just wear out and eventually need replaced. Don't forget you have a really nice car and it should give you years of good service even with the occasional glitch.

URBS

I found this sight today looking up the same issue, '96 Avalon key needs exstensive wiggling to finally work. I have several keys and they all have the same problem allalso being old keys. I read here how to remove the cylinder if I can get the key to accessory. Is the best option to just buy a new one? If so must it be from a dealer and how much?

Can I oil the cyclinder to clean it out of key dust or will this just attract dirt and make it worse?

adam9981

I have also been experiencing this problem but I cannot get the key to turn very much at all (maybe about 2mm) so I don't think I can get it to the ACC position. I have tried turning the steering wheel and spraying it with WD 40 as well as penetrating oil. It is stuck at a gas station right now and I found somewhere that I can get a replacement lock and key but it sounds like you have to be able to turn it to ACC before it will let you release it.

Is there any way for me to get this lock out or am I going to have to have a locksmith come fix it?

URBS

I took the following steps which worked for me.

1. I did put oil in but realize now I should not have. i should have put graphite powder in instead.

2. I found the answer here to bring the wheel to each extreme and bang it three times in each direction. This absolutely worked for me.

3. I then drove to the Toyota dealer and had them cut me a new key from the vin number. They then stressed it a little with with a wire brush. It does not look like the 12 year old keys I have that might have been made from copies over the years. The old keys are all worn down so where do youi you think the metal dust is that wore off the keys?

Good luck.