Ignition Stuck At Acc! Please Help!

[heinous]

Hi! I have a 2001 IS300, no modifications. So I turned off my car yesterday, and somehow, when I pulled the key out, it came out at the ACC position. I didn't pull extra hard or anything, just turned the key to the left as usual, and pulled it out. Now I can stick the key back in, but I can't turn it at all, to the left or right - the ignition is completely stuck in the ACC position. I called Lexus roadside, they'd never even heard of such a thing happening because the key isn't supposed to come out at ACC. AAA came, they had no idea what to do.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this a simple problem or a serious one?? I'm afraid I'm going to have to get the whole ignition replaced!! Help! :cries:

[alexbaylor]

Hi! I have a 2001 IS300, no modifications.  So I turned off my car yesterday, and somehow, when I pulled the key out, it came out at the ACC position. I didn't pull extra hard or anything, just turned the key to the left as usual, and pulled it out.  Now I can stick the key back in, but I can't turn it at all, to the left or right - the ignition is completely stuck in the ACC position.  I called Lexus roadside, they'd never even heard of such a thing happening because the key isn't supposed to come out at ACC.  AAA came, they had no idea what to do.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this a simple problem or a serious one??  I'm afraid I'm going to have to get the whole ignition replaced!!  Help!  :cries:

←

I'm not sure what to do, but my son called from Waco today, and the same thing happened to him. I did research other Lexus cars which had this problem, and it seemed that rocking the steering wheel while turning the key helped. I sure hope the ignition does not need to be replaced, as one member said it was around $1000.

[SKperformance]

It may help turint the wheel to unlock the pin

but form others who had this problem they had to get a locksmith and replace the ignition to get the car working again

you should be under warr though

[alexbaylor]

ok, I checked this out, tried to get the key in to turn, and no luck. I spoke with the dealership, and the service technician indicated that this kind of thing happened, and that the replacement ignition had been modified to prevent this ocurrence. That lead me to believe it was a common problem, so I asked if there had been a recall. "No" was the answer. If a replacement part had been modified you would think that means someone now knows there was a design flaw. Has there ever been a recall on a Lexus though? Pride might be a factor, and really, how good is a recall for future sales? What really makes me think there may be some implied blame by Lexus, is the fact that the repair estimate for this item is less than $450.00, and according to the technician, was made "Affordable". $429 to change the ignition, rekey the doors, and supply new cut keys to the owner. Hmmm, that may be the closest thing to owning up to a defect we'll ever see out of Lexus!

[steviej]

it probably does not fall under a recall item because it is not considered a safety related failure.

my guess it is listed as a TSB or technical sercive bulletin. If your car is still under warranty, it should be covered. If not, then speak to the customer service rep for your area or the service manager and see if they can't meet you half way on the price or pick up the whole tab.

nothing happens until you ask the right people.

steviej

[bartkat]

ok, I checked this out, tried to get the key in to turn, and no luck. I spoke with the dealership, and the service technician indicated that this kind of thing happened, and that the replacement ignition had been modified to prevent this ocurrence. That lead me to believe it was a common problem, so I asked if there had been a recall. "No" was the answer. If a replacement part had been modified you would think that means someone now knows there was a design flaw. Has there ever been a recall on a Lexus though? Pride might be a factor, and really, how good is a recall for future sales? What really makes me think there may be some implied blame by Lexus, is the fact that the repair estimate for this item is less than $450.00, and according to the technician, was made "Affordable". $429 to change the ignition, rekey the doors, and supply new cut keys to the owner. Hmmm, that may be the closest thing to owning up to a defect we'll ever see out of Lexus!

←

Technical Service Bulletin - 2001 Lexus IS300

EL005-03 MAY 03 Ignition - Unable to Turn Key in Ignition Cylinder

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/31/01310815.html

[PhoneDrome]

"ACC-stuck" is a common problem. It can be sorted out easily and not very expensive.

Have a look here: LINK, LINK, LINK

[A-1 Locksmith]

This is a very common problem, contact a Locksmith in your area. They can replace the ignition and rekey it to match the other locks on the vehicle. Rob

[left_and_died]

yea, on some toyota vehicles, when you turned the steering wheel after you take out the keys, it will lock so that it can't be turned anymore, all you have to do is push it really hard while turning the steering wheel. try doing that, and if it doesn't work, call your local Lexus dearler, and if you are still under warranty they should come out to your house for free, at least, that's what our dearler said

[Mark in Bend]

ok, I checked this out, tried to get the key in to turn, and no luck. I spoke with the dealership, and the service technician indicated that this kind of thing happened, and that the replacement ignition had been modified to prevent this ocurrence. That lead me to believe it was a common problem, so I asked if there had been a recall. "No" was the answer. If a replacement part had been modified you would think that means someone now knows there was a design flaw. Has there ever been a recall on a Lexus though? Pride might be a factor, and really, how good is a recall for future sales? What really makes me think there may be some implied blame by Lexus, is the fact that the repair estimate for this item is less than $450.00, and according to the technician, was made "Affordable". $429 to change the ignition, rekey the doors, and supply new cut keys to the owner. Hmmm, that may be the closest thing to owning up to a defect we'll ever see out of Lexus!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Technical Service Bulletin - 2001 Lexus IS300

EL005-03 MAY 03 Ignition - Unable to Turn Key in Ignition Cylinder

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/31/01310815.html

I cannot seem to make the alldata.com link work. Does anyone have a better link to the EL005-03 service bulletin?

[smooth1]

PM Bartkat. He's a moderator here and has it I think.

[bartkat]

Title:

IMPROVEMENT TO IGNITION CYLINDER

PERFORMANCE

Models:

’01 IS 300, LX 470 & RX 300

Technical Service

Information Bulletin

May 23, 2003

EL005-03

Some customers may complain of not being able to turn their ignition key inside the

ignition cylinder. If this condition is found on one of the models listed below, built before

the starting VIN list, it is important to not “re–key” the new ignition cylinder to the

customer’s original key. Use the NEW key accompanying the new ignition cylinder. For

customer satisfaction, Lexus recommends the entire key set be replaced as a repair for

this condition.

warrenty labor time is 1.5hrs labor. exspect to pay around 2.0hrs if your outside of warrenty.

all your lock cylinders will be replaced, glove box, trunk, ignition and door. new keys will be issued with the cylinders, the remote(guts) of the keys will be swapped into the new keys.

The above is free only if the car is in warranty. You have to pay parts and labor otherwise.

There are ways to solve or get around the problem.

Here's some possible help:

http://my.is/forums/f115/pleas-help-asap-i...osition-352871/

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=19433

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...?showtopic=7960

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=16984

http://my.is/forums/f93/ignition-stuck-acc...ition+key+stuck

http://my.is/forums/f87/fixed-my-key-stuck...problem-173490/

http://my.is/forums/f87/cant-turn-ignition...ition+key+stuck

[smooth1]

see, I tod you... ^_^

[bartkat]