It thinks the key is in ignition, won't start - HELP!!

[Kalevera]

That is the antenna ring and has to be removed in order to get the cylinder out. They tend to snap or shatter on removal.

The detent is almost certainly broken (antitheft feature commonly messed up by hamfisted starting); the car will need a new lock cylinder (less than $100 at the dealer). It can be tough to remove, sometimes taking hours. We did one a few months ago that was so bad that the entire assembly had to be replaced.

best, whit

[ChefJRD]

I'm trying to remain hopeful, but not much progress has been made...... Thanks for the tip about the antenna ring, Lowell, I got that off without breaking anything (at least that part went well!), but still haven't gotten the lock cylinder to budge.

Can someone who's done this before tell me how much resistance I should expect when inserting the wire? There are two positions at roughly 60- and 65-degrees that I can slide the wire in rather deep. At 60 it slides real easy, there's more resistance at 65, but in between those two I can't push it in at all. Does that make any sense?

Also, the wheel is locked - does that help define the situation any more?

Today's redeeming quality is that my girlfriend brought over a donut for me this morning, knowing I couldn't drive to get my favorite weekend snack on my own

[ChefJRD]

AND I can't get rid of the PPPP code when I reconnect the battery.....

[romus]

what is that PPPP code anyway?? I always have it on OBC when reconnecting the battery.

[uscharalph]

Or... you can be like me... and have a push button start....

:-)

That's not going to do him much good now.

[uscharalph]

what is that PPPP code anyway?? I always have it on OBC when reconnecting the battery.

Just need to set the clock and date.

[romus]

hey just a thought - are u using the master key when u do the 60 degree turn before u stick the wire in???